<here@glorious-somerset.uk> wrote:
>On 8/9/2015 2:28 PM, Charles Lindbergh wrote:
>> On Sat, 08 Aug 2015 22:07:28 -0700, "Bob (not my real pseudonym)"
>> <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat, 08 Aug 2015 13:04:52 +0000, Charles Lindbergh
>>> <spirit@stlouis.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 8/8/2015 2:35 AM, Byker wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Fairey Swordfish - A remarkable aircraft:
>>>>>
>>>>> "Although Swordfish numbered no more than 27 aircraft, they sank an
>>>>> average 50,000 tons (50,800 MT) of shipping every month. During one
>>>>> month, they sank a record 98,000 tons (99,572 MT). Swordfish attacked
>>>>> enemy convoys at night although they were not equipped with night
>>>>> instrumentation. The risky night missions were necessary to avoid German
>>>>> fighters which encircled the island of Malta by day. On June 30, 1940,
>>>>> Swordfish completed a raid attacking oil installations at Augusta in
>>>>> Sicily."
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.aviation-history.com/fairey/swordfish.html
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ricardo, I read the article you posted. I was shocked the Swordfish holds the record for sinking more tonnage
>>>> than any other allied aircraft during WWII.
>>>>
>>>> I am guessing this had a lot to do with circumstance as opposed to any remarkable capabilities of the
>>>> aircraft, what is your perspective on this?
>>>
>>> I would suggest the remarkable capabilities of the crews.
>>
>> Yeah, I'm sure that's it! ;-)
>>
>
>There's interesting comment today by way of a letter to one of our
>national newspapers where the Swordfish gets a mention, as does the
>Pacific War of which little is heard about the substantial British
>contribution:
>
>"Sir,
>
>The "Forgotten Fleet" and its aircraft will be remembered today when a
>vintage Royal Navy Swordfish biplane leads the fly-past over Horse
>Guards Parade in London as part of events to commemorate the 70th
>anniversary of VJ Day.
>
>The British Pacific Fleet was the largest strike force ever assembled by
>the Royal Navy*** and it fought alongside the US Navy in 1945. Aircraft
>of the Fleet Air Arm undertook the largest ever raid in aviation naval
>history on the oil fields at Palembang in Sumatra, and British naval
>aircraft carried out raids upon Japan itself.
>
>It's most appropriate that a Swordfish, which saw action in every year
>of the war, will represent not just the forgotten fleet but the
>oft-forgotten Fleet Air Arm too.
>
>We should all take a moment today to remember those who fought the
>Japanese Empire. Most who survive are nearly 90 years old or more. They
>deserve our salute.
>
>Lt-Cdr Lester May RN (retd)
>
>*** To put that into context, Britain provided three-quarters of the
>warships and landing craft for the D-Day landings in Europe!
>
Hear, hear!
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