>On 8/9/2015 2:28 PM, Charles Lindbergh wrote:
>> On Sat, 08 Aug 2015 22:07:28 -0700, "Bob (not my real pseudonym)"
>> <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat, 08 Aug 2015 13:04:52 +0000, Charles Lindbergh
>>> <spirit@stlouis.invalid> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On 8/8/2015 2:35 AM, Byker wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Fairey Swordfish - A remarkable aircraft:
>>>>>
>>>>> "Although Swordfish numbered no more than 27 aircraft, they sank an
>>>>> average 50,000 tons (50,800 MT) of shipping every month. During one
>>>>> month, they sank a record 98,000 tons (99,572 MT). Swordfish attacked
>>>>> enemy convoys at night although they were not equipped with night
>>>>> instrumentation. The risky night missions were necessary to avoid German
>>>>> fighters which encircled the island of Malta by day. On June 30, 1940,
>>>>> Swordfish completed a raid attacking oil installations at Augusta in
>>>>> Sicily."
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.aviation-history.com/fairey/swordfish.html
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ricardo, I read the article you posted. I was shocked the Swordfish holds the record for sinking more tonnage
>>>> than any other allied aircraft during WWII.
>>>>
>>>> I am guessing this had a lot to do with circumstance as opposed to any remarkable capabilities of the
>>>> aircraft, what is your perspective on this?
>>>
>>> I would suggest the remarkable capabilities of the crews.
>>
>> Yeah, I'm sure that's it! ;-)
>>
>
>There's interesting comment today by way of a letter to one of our
>national newspapers where the Swordfish gets a mention, as does the
>Pacific War of which little is heard about the substantial British
>contribution:
>
>"Sir,
>
>The "Forgotten Fleet" and its aircraft will be remembered today when a
>vintage Royal Navy Swordfish biplane leads the fly-past over Horse
>Guards Parade in London as part of events to commemorate the 70th
>anniversary of VJ Day.
>
>The British Pacific Fleet was the largest strike force ever assembled by
>the Royal Navy*** and it fought alongside the US Navy in 1945. Aircraft
>of the Fleet Air Arm undertook the largest ever raid in aviation naval
>history on the oil fields at Palembang in Sumatra, and British naval
>aircraft carried out raids upon Japan itself.
>
>It's most appropriate that a Swordfish, which saw action in every year
>of the war, will represent not just the forgotten fleet but the
>oft-forgotten Fleet Air Arm too.
>
>We should all take a moment today to remember those who fought the
>Japanese Empire. Most who survive are nearly 90 years old or more. They
>deserve our salute.
>
>Lt-Cdr Lester May RN (retd)
>
>*** To put that into context, Britain provided three-quarters of the
>warships and landing craft for the D-Day landings in Europe!
>
Interesting article and comments. Is your point that the Brits contributed significantly to the war against
Japan? It would be logical for them to have done so considering the Japanese, on 8 December 1941(local time,
which was before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor), attacked the British in Malaya.
Did I miss your point?
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