Operation Calendar
Encyclopedia
Operation Calendar in 1942 was an Anglo
-American
operation in World War II
to deliver Spitfire
fighter aircraft to Malta
. The aircraft were desperately needed to bolster the island's defence against strong Axis
air raids.
" deliveries required the short-range fighters to be loaded onto an aircraft carrier in Britain or at Gibraltar
and taken to within flying range of Malta where they would be "flown off" and make their own way to Malta. There had been several earlier "Club Runs" but by this time, no suitable British carriers were availableArk Royal had been sunk, Argus was too small for the needed numbers, Furious was undergoing emergency repairs and the lifts on more modern, larger carriers were too small for Spitfires (land based aircraft whose wings could not be folded to conserve space).. The situation was urgent, so, after a personal request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill
to the American President Franklin D Roosevelt, the American
aircraft carrier was loaned for a "Club Run".
on the Clyde
, from 601
and 603 Squadron
s with pilots. The aircraft to be conveyed were Spitfire VBs fitted with external fuel tanks to extend their range. They were, however, inadequately prepared. The external tanks leaked badly, a fault that recurred on "Club Runs", many of the aircraft's guns were faulty and most of their radios didn't work.
Wasp sailed from Glasgow on 14 April 1942 with her escort, destroyers and , and was joined by the British battlecruiser and her escortHMS Inglefield
, Ithuriel
, Echo
and Partridge
. When this squadron, codenamed Force W, passed Gibraltar
overnight on 18–19 April, they were joined by cruisers and and destroyers , , , and . During final preparations, the faults mentioned above were found, too late to be rectified.
On 20 April, with Wasps Wildcats providing air cover, 48 Spitfires flew off.
anticipated the Spitfires arrival and bombed Ta'Qali airfield within minutes of their arrival. Most were caught on the ground and within 48 hours all were destroyed. Those that did fly were hampered by the faults with which they had arrived.
The island's Governor, Lieutenant General
Sir William Dobbie
, reported that the local condition was worse than critical. He was soon replaced; the view was that he should have ensured adequate protection for the Spitfires and for an earlier convoy which had been sunk in harbour. A fresh man was needed; Lord Gort was the replacement. The loss of the Spitfires made the subsequent Operation Bowery
even more essential.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
operation in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to deliver Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
fighter aircraft to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. The aircraft were desperately needed to bolster the island's defence against strong Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
air raids.
Background
"Club RunClub Run
"Club Run" was an informal name for aircraft supply operations to the besieged island of Malta during the Second World War. Malta was the object of determined Axis attempts in 1941-1942 to either force the British military authorities to surrender or to destroy its effectiveness as a military base...
" deliveries required the short-range fighters to be loaded onto an aircraft carrier in Britain or at Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
and taken to within flying range of Malta where they would be "flown off" and make their own way to Malta. There had been several earlier "Club Runs" but by this time, no suitable British carriers were availableArk Royal had been sunk, Argus was too small for the needed numbers, Furious was undergoing emergency repairs and the lifts on more modern, larger carriers were too small for Spitfires (land based aircraft whose wings could not be folded to conserve space).. The situation was urgent, so, after a personal request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
to the American President Franklin D Roosevelt, the American
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
aircraft carrier was loaned for a "Club Run".
Operation
Wasp collected 52 aircraft from ShieldhallShieldhall
Shieldhall is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated south of the River Clyde.Shieldhall lies between Renfrew and Drumoyne and is close to Braehead. It includes the site of the King George V Dock and Shieldhall sewage treatment works, which are owned by Scottish Water. The...
on the Clyde
Clyde
-Places named Clyde:In Scotland:* River Clyde* Firth of ClydeIn Australia:* Clyde, New South Wales* Clyde, Victoria* Clyde River, New South WalesIn Canada:* Clyde, Prince Edward Island* Clyde, Quebec* Clyde, Ontario* Clyde, Alberta...
, from 601
No. 601 Squadron RAF
No. 601 Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based in London. The squadron battle honours most notably include the Battle of Britain and the first Americans to fly in World War II were members of this squadron.-History:...
and 603 Squadron
No. 603 Squadron RAF
No. 603 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The primary role of 603 Squadron, since reforming on 1 October 1999, has been as a Survive to Operate squadron, as well as providing Force Protection.-Formation and early years:No...
s with pilots. The aircraft to be conveyed were Spitfire VBs fitted with external fuel tanks to extend their range. They were, however, inadequately prepared. The external tanks leaked badly, a fault that recurred on "Club Runs", many of the aircraft's guns were faulty and most of their radios didn't work.
Wasp sailed from Glasgow on 14 April 1942 with her escort, destroyers and , and was joined by the British battlecruiser and her escortHMS Inglefield
HMS Inglefield (D02)
HMS Inglefield was an I-class destroyer leader built for the Royal Navy that served during World War II. She was the navy's last purpose-built flotilla leader. She was named after the 19th century Admiral Sir Edward Augustus Inglefield , and is so far the only warship to carry the name of that...
, Ithuriel
HMS Ithuriel (H05)
HMS Ithuriel was an I-class destroyer laid down as Gayret for the Turkish Navy by Vickers Armstrong Naval Construction Works at Barrow-in-Furness on 24 May 1939, but taken over by the Royal Navy on the outbreak of the Second World War whilst still under construction.Launched on 15 December 1940 and...
, Echo
HMS Echo (H23)
HMS Echo was an E class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service in the Atlantic, Arctic and Mediterranean theatres during World War II, before being transferred to the Royal Hellenic Navy in 1944, and renamed Navarinon, until scrapped in 1956.-Service history:Echo had a small role in...
and Partridge
O and P class destroyer
The O and P class was a class of destroyers of the British Royal Navy. Ordered in 1939, they were the first ships in the War Emergency Programme, also known as the 1st and 2nd Emergency Flotilla, respectively...
. When this squadron, codenamed Force W, passed Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
overnight on 18–19 April, they were joined by cruisers and and destroyers , , , and . During final preparations, the faults mentioned above were found, too late to be rectified.
On 20 April, with Wasps Wildcats providing air cover, 48 Spitfires flew off.
Aftermath
Despite this addition to Malta's defences, all was lost. The LuftwaffeLuftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
anticipated the Spitfires arrival and bombed Ta'Qali airfield within minutes of their arrival. Most were caught on the ground and within 48 hours all were destroyed. Those that did fly were hampered by the faults with which they had arrived.
The island's Governor, Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Sir William Dobbie
William Dobbie
Lieutenant-General Sir William George Shedden Dobbie GCMG, KCB, DSO was a British Army veteran of the Second Boer War, and First and Second World Wars.-Early life:...
, reported that the local condition was worse than critical. He was soon replaced; the view was that he should have ensured adequate protection for the Spitfires and for an earlier convoy which had been sunk in harbour. A fresh man was needed; Lord Gort was the replacement. The loss of the Spitfires made the subsequent Operation Bowery
Operation Bowery
Operation Bowery was an Anglo-American operation in World War II to deliver Spitfire fighter aircraft to Malta . The aircraft were desperately needed to bolster the island's defence against strong Axis air raids.-Background:...
even more essential.