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In Memory of

LEADING AIR MECHANIC MAURICE C WHITEING, 1917-2009

...... and FLEET AIRCRAFT CARRIER HMS INDOMITABLE in the INDIAN and PACIFIC OCEANS, 1944-1945, part 4 of 4

  Maurice Whiteing on right  (click to enlarge)     return to World War 2, 1939-1945
 
 

The US Invasion of Okinawa  - British Pacific Fleet and Operation Iceberg

(Australian, British and New Zealand Navies in the Pacific - Campaign Summary)


 

 April 1945

1st

 

Damaged in KAMIKAZE attack during operations off Sakashima Gunto group. 14 men were killed and 16 wounded. Extensive damage to Island structure and some fires were started. Flight deck was cleared and fires extinguished with an hour.

 

 9th

 

Flying operations transferred to targets in Formosa (Operation ICEBERG OOLONG).

 

11th

 

With HMS INDEFATIGABLE carried attacks on Schinchiku and Matsugama.

 

16th

 

Transferred with TF57 to renew attacks on airfields in Ishigaki and Miyako in Sakishimas.

 

20th

 

Returned to Leyte.


 May

1st

 

Sailed from Leyte to resume attacks on Sakishima Gunto group.

 

4th

 

After replenishing with ships of TG57 launched first of a series of air attacks with HMS VICTORIOUS and HMS FORMIDABLE on airfields at Hiara, Nobara, Miyako and Ishigaki.

 

 

 

Hit by KAMIKAZE aircraft but remained operational.

 

9th

 

Damaged in another KAMIKAZE attack but continued flying operations with gaps for replenishment until 23rd May.

 

20th

 

In collision with HM Destroyer QUILLIAM which was seriously damaged.

 

25th

 

Sailed for Manus on completion of operation requirement for TF57.





Possibly April/May 1945 -  bombs on deck




Results of airfield and runway attacks, possibly on Ishigaki Island,  Sakishima Gunto, southernmost of the three island groups making up the Okinawa archipelago


Avenger returns from Sakishima Gunto with u/c (undercarriage) shot up, approaching for emergency landing - "steady"




..... "catches" safe on deck - "one more night of work"

Hellcat back from combat but only just



Pilot badly injured, undercarriage damaged

Twin 4.5's in action during Kamikaze attack on Indomitable. Japanese suicide aircraft dived, hit deck and "bounced" off



"HMS Indefatigable under attack" - and following
(Identity is uncertain and the following photographs are all believed to be of HMS Formidable)


Corsair fighter



Corsair



possibly Corsair






Another Corsair


       

 June 1945

 

 

Relieved by HM Aircraft Carrier IMPLACABLE and refitted in Sydney.

 July

 

 

 On completion remained at Sydney.


 August

15th

 

Transferred to RN control after Japan surrendered.

 

 

 

Took passage to Subic Bay, Philippines with HM Aircraft Carrier VENERABLE, HM Cruisers EURYALUS and SWIFTSURE screened by three Fleet Destroyers

 

27th

 

Sailed with HMS VENERABLE, HMS SWIFTSURE, HMS BLACK PRINCE, HMS EURYALUS screened by HM Destroyers KEMPENFELT, URSA, QUADRANT and WHIRLWIND as Task Group 111.2 to re-occupy Hong Kong.

 

29th

 

Met HM Battleship ANSON and HM Aircraft Carrier VENGEANCE prior to entry into the Colony of Hong Kong after minesweeping completed.

 

30th

 

Carried out air attacks with HMS VENERABLE on Japanese explosive boats in Lamma Bay. Entered Hong Kong on completion.


HMS INDOMITABLE was deployed with the BPF in the Far East until 12th November 1945 and returned to the United Kingdom on 12th December. The ship was reduced to Reserve in 1946.



Photograph taken on Okinawa by one of the crew of an Avenger from Indomitable while the fighting for Okinawa was still in progress - possibly June 1945



US Skymasters on Okinawa - possibly June 1945




around June/July 1945 - Newspaper clipping



Michael Stupid, Indomitable - elated!



dejected

Card, front

"signed" rear of card - "Yours with love, Navy "Indomitable", Michael Stupid


Sydney, Hong Kong and Home


Entering Captain Cook Dock, Woolloomaloo


Sydney Harbour, Garden Island Naval Base including Captain Cook Dry Dock in foreground, Indomitable  or one of her sisters in centre



Sydney Harbour from Kirribilli with Garden Island on the right



10.00 hours, Monday 22 October 1945 - homeward-bound with Sydney Bridge astern


HMS Anson in Hong Kong



Possibly Indefatigable in Hong Kong 

Aerial view of Hong Kong city and harbour, China in background



Sunset in Hong Kong



Close-up of Pagoda



The Peak, Hong Kong 

Looking inland from shoreline, the "Tiger Palace" pagoda



Hong Kong from harbour



Possibly HMS Indomitable at Cape Town, homeward-bound



Possibly HMS Indomitable at Cape Town, homeward-bound



Carrying gifts






Maurice Whiteing, June 2007
Died 7 February 2009



his wife
Kit Whiteing, also June 2007,
who served in the Women's Land Army in the war



Kit's lapel badge


and recently-received Certificate of
Appreciation from the Government



HMS Indomitable pennant




A fascinating paper knife fashioned from bits and pieces of aircraft and Kamikaze's in the carrier's workshops

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revised 27/9/11