With Naval Wings

Young John Wellham faced a dilemma: should he make his career in the Royal Navy or in the RAF? In 1938 the Fleet Air Arm became an integral part of the Royal Navy, and offered him the ideal solution. Transferring as a Sub-lieutenant, Wellham was appointed to 824 Squadron, HMS Eagle. After the outbreak of World War II, his ship joined the Mediterranean Fleet in Alexandria. When Mussolini threw in his lot with Hitler, Wellham flew one of three `Stringbags' (Fairey Swordfish) from Eagle, which raided the Italian base in Bomba. Sinking four ships with three torpedoes, they demonstrated the crucial role of air power in modern naval warfare. Wellham was then chosen to take part in the second strike on Taranto from HMS Illustrious. Braving a barrage of AA fire, he flew his badly damaged Swordfish into the harbour, fired his torpedo at the battleship Vittoria Veneto and escaped alive. The victory at Taranto humbled forever the great capital ships of the world. With its detailed and experienced grasp of FAA exploits around the globe, including operations against U-boats in the Atlantic and the final struggles against Japan with the `Forgotten Fleet', With Naval Wings paints World War II on a wide, colourful canvas.