Grumman Hellcats of 885 Naval Air Squadron

In November 1944, 885 Naval Air Squadron re-equipped with Grumman Hellcat fighters in preparation for a transfer to the British Pacific Fleet. The squadron embarked on the escort carrier HMS Ruler in December 1944, with Ruler meeting up with the British Pacific fleet in April 1945. Ruler was tasked with providing fighter and anti submarine protection for the Fleet Train replenishment ships supporting the fleet, with 885 Squadron supplementing its eighteen Hellcats with four Grumman Avenger bombers for anti-submarine duties. On 14–15 May, the squadron provided air cover while the British Pacific Fleet replenished during the Battle of Okinawa, with the squadron’s aircraft also being used as targets to train the fleet’s fighter controllers and anti-aircraft gunners. After the end of Okinawa operations, the squadron disembarked at Ponam Island off New Guinea, providing continuation flying for replacement pilots for the fleet, and temporarily adding some Vought Corsairs while ashore to improve the training it could offer. From June, 885 Squadron operated from Ruler to cover more refuelling operations during operations against Japan. The squadron was disbanded at RAAF Station Schofields, near Sydney Australia on 27 September 1945.