MONAB 5 page 2

The airfield at Jervis Bay was commissioned as H.M.S. Nabswick, Royal Naval Air Station Jervis Bay on May1st 1945, Captain Dickinson resuming command.

The unit received its first squadrons on May 7th when 30 Wing, 1771 squadron's Fireflies, 828 squadron's Avengers, along with 801& 880 squadron's Seafire IIIs disembarked from HMS Implacable.

1771 & 828 re-embarked in 'Implacable' on the 24th, 801 & 880 joining them the following day. By this time, the shortcomings of the Dorland Hangars became known, they were found to be unsatisfactory due to the insecurity of the attaching straps holding the canvas to the framework. In high winds, the securing straps became stressed and many broke away from the canvas; the possibility of the whole of the covering becoming detached was a cause for concern. In addition, an increase in the number of hangers to 8 instead of the standard 4 would have been an advantage.

The station was not to remain quiet for long, June 1st brought Avengers from 848 Squadron, and Corsair IVs of 1841 & 1842 Squadrons disembarked from HMS Formidable.

723 FRU moved back to RNAS Nowra on June 4th. 848, 1841 & 1842 squadron's re-embarked in 'Formidable' on June 22nd..

1843 squadron's Corsair IVs arrived from RNAS Maryborough July 12th, intended for the new No.3 Carrier Air Group, which was to form at Nowra, the squadron moving there on the 20th.

Jervis bay was to be busy again two days later, when 812 squadron's Barracuda IIs & 1846 squadron's Corsair IVs, disembarked from HMS Colossus, along with 827 squadron's Barracuda IIs & 1850 squadron's Corsair IVs disembarked from HMS Vengeance. These units were to stay until August 13th when they re-embarked in their carriers.

August 15th, V-J Day saw a quite period at Jervis Bay, which was to continue into early September when 837 squadron's Barracuda IIs & 1831 squadron's Corsair IVs disembarked from HMS Glory on September 11th. 837 moved to Nowra on October 29th.

The war in the pacific being over, the airfield at Jervis Bay was no longer required; the Royal Naval presence in Australia was being run down. Consequently, MONAB V transferred to RNAS Nowra November 14th 1945.

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Admirals inspection team visiting the serving area at Jervis Bay

Remembering Jervis Bay;

"I remember a Corsair aircraft had to be transported by road from Jervis Bay to Nowra for repairs. The wings were taken off and a tractor was attached to tow it; another tractor was also to be used if necessary on hills. Pop Dunne was in the cockpit to apply the brakes if told by me (sat on stub plane), I in turn receiving orders from the petty officer driving the tractor.

When going down one hill the plane’s weight began pushing the tractor and our speed increased, - the driver was unable to give the ’apply brakes signal’ because he had his hands full so I told Pop to brake. He answered that he’d already put them full on but they had no effect! Next thing the tow bar broke and the tractor turned at right angles to the road pushed by the impetus of the plane; never mind orders, it was time for me to ‘abandon air craft’ - it was a hell of a jump off a moving plane!

Another vehicle following behind us winched the plane and tractor off the road and the tractor driver was taken to hospital. Pop and I found ourselves lumbered with guarding the aircraft until we could be relieved."

Leslie Meakin

Leading Air Mechanic (Airframes)

HMS Nabswick

All images available in the photo galleries

MONAB V commissioned RNAS Nowra as HMS Nabswick, 15th November 1945. MONAB I paid off same day. 1831 squadron transferred to Nowra to join 820, 828 & 837 Squadrons that were already present at Nowra. 820 Squadron re-embarked in 'Indefatigable on November 23rd.

The scaling-down of operations continued apace, 1831squadron had its strength reduced from 21 to 12 Corsair IVs on November 26th in preparation for re-embarking. 1837 squadron re-embarked in 'Glory' on January 14th 1946, to be followed by the new, leaner 1831 squadron on the 19th, leaving only 723 and 828 squadrons as last remaining occupants of Nowra. 723 FRU moved to RNAS Schofields, MONAB III on the 21st. In late February the men of HMS NABSWICK sentimentally marched through the streets of Nowra to say farewell to the town.

MONAB V, HMS NABSWICK, paid off at Nowra March 18th 1946, the station being returned to R.A.A.F. [828squadron remained at Nowra as a lodger unit with the R.A.A.F. until embarking in HMS Implacable 5-5-46, for passage to the UK, leaving their A/C behind].