Wilhelm Mohr

PART I – The Contribution of the Norwegian Air Forces
As the struggle for the Atlantic progressed, the USA had increasingly
extended its support with bases for escort groups and aircraft. Eventually
this included Iceland. Thus the Coastal Command there was
relieved and at the end of 1942, it was decided that 330 Squadron should
move to Oban in Scotland. It would now come under 15 Group Command
and be equipped with Sunderlands. This big 4-engined flying
boat fully equipped required a crew of 10. In January 1943 the squadron
departed from Iceland, leaving a contingent of Northrops for a time at
Budareyri to guard the east coast.
After intensive training the first operations from Oban were carried
out on 20 April, thus bringing the squadron back into the Battle of
the Atlantic, which was now at its peak. The squadron still supported
the anti-submarine operations generally. However, the distance to areas
further north was deemed too long and impractical. The stay at Oban
was therefore short and the next base was Sullom Voe in Shetland. By 14
July the whole squadron of 13 aircraft was in place and could start operations,
now under 18 Group Command. It welcomed the opportunity
to operate towards and along the Norwegian coast. The extended range
of the Sunderlands allowed the Murmansk convoys to be escorted far
to the north and east in the Arctic Ocean. Such missions could be both
demanding and tedious, but they formed a critical part of the ships’
protection against submarine attacks.
The weather in Shetland could be as harsh as that experienced in
Iceland. Though better facilities existed in the harbour, «gale-crews»
often had to be kept on board the big flying boats to avoid disaster.
Results and losses
330 Squadron remained at Sullom Voe until the end of the war. With its
Sunderlands it accomplished over 12,000 flying hours, and conducted
655 submarine searches, over 50 convoy escorts and 22 different rescue
tasks. 15 submarines were seen, of which 2 were sunk and 4 damaged.
2 German aircraft were damaged. 4 of the squadron’s aircraft were lost
with a total of 46 persons. These figures are in addition to the Squadron’s
accomplishments in Iceland, described earlier. In total the squadron
lost 16 aircraft with 63 persons.
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