Catalina Y-56 at Addu Atoll

[Rob Stuart]

As is well known, four MLD Catalinas withdrew to Ceylon from the NEI in early March 1942. On 4 April one of them, Y-56 (Lt Hamers), flew from Ceylon to Addu Atoll “on [an] important mission in connection with Naval Forces”, returning on 9 April. The Naval Force in question was the Eastern Fleet, which operated from Addu Atoll from 4 to 9 April. The book The Most Dangerous Moment says that Hamers was sent to Addu Atoll on "an important communications flight to Addu Atoll, since it was absulute essential to maintain strict radio silence and there was no other means of keeping in touch with the Eastern Fleet", but I have some doubt about this. Serviceable Catalinas were worth their weight in gold in long range reconnaissance, and it would have taken four or five hours to fly the 600 miles from Addu Atoll to Ceylon, so I have to wonder if it was perhaps employed at Addu Atoll to conduct anti-submarine patrols in the vicinity or for some other purpose. Would any member of this forum be able to clear this up?


Thanks, and best wishes to all for 2010,

Rob Stuart

[Prudent Staal]

321 Sq was stationed on China Bay naval base with PBY-5 andPBY-5A Catalina's. In the period 06-02-1942 till 15-10-1942 a number of Cat's were detached to Addu Atoll for ASW patrol duties. Flight duration ± 10 til 14 hrs!! CB-Addu Atoll 7.30hrs. Also Addu Atoll was used as a refill and short stop place for heading Cheychelles for the detachment at Durban. Also for delivery of new planes Addu was important. US crews delivered RNAS planes to Addu Atoll, and were taken over by Dutch crews for CB, as was red in logbook of Jack Leeflang
Regards Prudent Staal

[Rob Stuart]

Prudent Staal,

Thanks for your helpful response. This tends to support my supposition that Y-56 was on an ASW mission when at Addu Atoll in April 1942.

Can you recommend any books or websites, in English, which have more info on 321 Sqn?


Thanks,

Rob