Teddy Key 1772 SQDN
1772 SQUADRON A SHORT HISTORY
BY TEDDY KEY
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Photo Teddy Key pilot (right) – Sammy Samuelson observer (left) at Burscough
The Squadron was formed at Burscough (HMS Ringtail) in 1944 as a fighter unit with 12 Fairey Fireflies mark 1 types. They trained and worked up there for a period of time. In July 1945 1772 Naval Air Squadron boarded HMS Indefatigable and joined the British Task Force 37 which then joined the US Task Force 38 in the Northern Pacific for the final assault on the Japanese Mainland. The combined Task Force comprised of 14 Fleet Carriers, 25 Cruisers , at least five Battleships, 75 Destroyers and many other craft… and 1300 aircraft. This was the largest Naval force ever gathered in on are in history. The American Fleet comprised of at least tree quarters of the combined fleet. Many raids and bombardments took place and losses were considerable despite the fact that the Japanese forces were very depleted by this time. The previous engagement had been largely American again and of course the European war had ended. This was the final massive battle against the remaining island possession occupied by the Japanese, Okinawa. Noteworthy in this engagement, which cost many American lives, was the Kamikazes and HMS Indefatigable received deck strike of this type of attack, killing several personnel. The Mainland and final part of the Pacific war was noted for the lack of Kamikazes. They were in fact re grouping on airfields after this, and these airfields together with shipping were our main targets, in preparation for the intended and expected invasion from the Aleutians.
Fairey Firefly in its 1772 formation markings
The squadrons stood off from the Japanese mainland during the two Atomic bombs and those of us involved in this part of WW2 knew that losses would be inflicted on Allied, and chiefly American troops, packed into invasion barges would have comprised the most horrific happening of World War 2… if it had happened. The Kamikazes pilots were being trained and built up for the final mad defiance. President Truman, one supposes, decided on the deaths of many Japanese in preference to many more American body bags, but Allied losses would have been so horrendous. Those of us who meet in 1772 reunions on a regular basis know that if the bombs had not been dropped our squadron survivors would have been halved.
Teddy Key at the Controls of his Firefly
The Indefatigable went on to join the Americans in Tokyo Bay for the Peace Treaty signing and we carried carried out many POW runs and our aircraft dropped supplies on camps. The ceremonies on July 10th were excellent but the Forgotten Fleet which was never mentioned, was but a small part of that final passage of war and your ceremony paid inadequate praise of the American contribution, which in both theatres of war, Europe and the Far East, was immense.. Without them we would not have won the war.
1772 Fleet Air Arm Squadron was the third and last Firefly Squadron to become an operational Naval squadron serving on World War Two. The First squadron 1770 was a very distinguished one whose operational service began with raids on the Tirpitz. We replaced that squadron on HMS Indefatigable in July 1945 and theirs was a difficult act to follow. 1772`s air crew comprised of 16 Pilots and 16 Observers at any one time. The squadrons in the Far East was as a flack suppressor and supplementary fighter unit. This meant that an attack began with a low level attack on Japanese airfields with cannon and rocket followed Avenger bombings and possibly Seafire strafing. Our final role was to supplement fighter cover.
1772 attack painting
1772 Squadron at Burscough
| BBC PEOPLE AT WAR ARTICLE |
Contributed by
People in story:
Teddy Key, plus members of 1772 squadron
Location of story:
Pacific Ocean
Background to story:
Royal Navy
Contributed on:
29 July 2005
A young Teddy Key, 22 years. Australia
In July 1945 1772 Naval Air Squadron[Fireflies] boarded HMS Indefatigable and joined the British Task Force 37 which then joined the US Task Force 38 in the northern Pacific for the final assault on the Japanese Mainland. The combined Task force comprised 14 Fleet Carriers, 25 Cruisers , at least five battleships, 75 Destroyers, and many other craft…. and 1300 aircraft. This was the largest naval force ever gathered in one area in history. The American Fleet comprised at least three quarters of that combined fleet.
Many raids and bombardments took place and losses were considerable despite the fact that the Japanese forces were very depleted by this time. The previous engagement had been largely American again and of course the European war had ended. This was the final massive battle against the remaining island possession occupied by the Japanese, Okinawa. Noteworthy in this engagement, which cost many American lives, was the Kamikaze and the Indefatigable received one Kamiikaze strike on its deck, killing several personnel.. The Mainland and final part of the Pacific War was noted for the lack of Kamikazes. They were regrouping on airfields after this, and these airfields together with shipping were our main targets, in preparation for the intended and expected invasion from the the Aleutians.. We stood off from the Mainland during the two Atomic bombs and those of us involved in this part of WW2 knew that the losses that would be inflicted on Allied, and chiefly American troops, packed into invasion barges would have comprised the most horrific happening of WW2…if it had happened. The Kamikazes pilots were being trained and built up for that final mad defiance. President Truman, one supposes, decided on the deaths of many Japanese in preference to many more American bodybags, but Allied losses would have been so horrendous. Those of us who meet in 1772 Squadron on a regular basis know that if the bombs had not been dropped our Squadron survivors would have been halved.
The Indefatigable went on to join the Americans in Tokyo Bay for the Peace Treaty signing and we carried out many POW runs dropping supplies on camps.
The ceremonies on July 10th were excellent but The Forgotten Fleet which was never mentioned, was but a small part of that final passge of war and your ceremony paid inadequate praise of the American contribution, which in both theatres, Europe and the Far East,was immense.. Without them we would not have been enjoying the celebrations on the 10th July 2005
1772 Naval Air Squadron was the third and last Firefly Squadron to become an operational Naval Squadron serving WW2. The first Squadron 1770 was a very distinguished one whose operational service began with raids on the Tirpitz. We replaced that Squadron on HMS Indefatigable in July 1945 and theirs was a very difficult act to follow. 1772’s air crew comprised 16 Pilots and 16 Observers at any one time. The number of those surviving is 15 in total and our In Memorium list now numbers 24 who we honour every year at Reunions and on May 1st. 1772’s role in action was as a flak suppressor and supplementary fighter. This meant that an attack began with a low level attack with cannon and rocket followed by Avenger bombings and possibly Seafire strafing. Our final role was to supplement fighter cover.
The Squadron has maintained over 60 years frequent reunions and this year we had almost a maximum muster less 2 Australians and 2 New Zealanders: but the latter are never left out of it and visits have been exchanged and particullarly this year under the auspices of the ‘Heroes Return’ generously organised by the National Lottery.
I am the ‘unofficial’ secretary of the Squadron and keep everyone in contact, a task which has been very rewarding.
Teddy Key. Pilot 1772 Naval Air Squadron [Fairey Fireflies] now 82 years of age.
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Teddy key died on the 9th of February 2008
Teddy Key wrote a book titled 1772 The Friendly squadron which details the squadrons time at HMS Ringtail right through to there action in the Pacific war. Teddy was very active later in life with squadron re unions etc. They came back to Burscough to and visited the Bull and Dog Inn where Teddy had his 21st Birthday celebration (See Photo). After his death a tree planting ceremony took place at the HMS Ringtail Monument and his Marion and his daughter Rosslyn planted a tree in his memory and placed some of his ashes in the soil. The Revd David Benge conducted the ceremony and many people and representatives attended. It was a nice ceremony finished off with a 15 aircraft Fly past by members of the West Lancashire micro light school.
Teddy Keys Partner Marion – Left – daughter Ros – Right
Fleet Air arm Association Gtr Manchester Branch Standard Bearer – Middle
15 Aircraft Flypast
See photos on HMS Ringtail menu and Film Footage of the tree planting ceremony
HMS Ringtail Film Footage and video menu on this sites homepage
Teddys Book
Crest below 1772 Squadron
