Hank Adlam began his naval flying career in January 1941, when he entered the Pilot's course at Gosport naval barracks. Subsequently, on completion of flying training at Netheravon, he was selected as a fighter pilot and moved to the fighter school at Yeovilton. His first operational posting was in October 1941 to 890 Squadron, flying Grumman Wildcats and Hurricanes. Hank remained in this squadron until July 1944 having taken part in operations against the enemy from two Escort Carriers and on Fleet Carrier in the Atlantic, Artic, Mediterranean and Far Eastern theatres of war. Hank's next appointment was to 1839 Squadron, flying the new Grumman Hellcat from a Fleet carrier. Continuous operations in the Far East were carried out during 1944 culminating in the massive strike by the four Carriers of the British Pacific Fleet in January 1945 against the oil refinery at Palembang in Sumatra, where 38 per cent of the whole Jpanese oil supply was destroyed. From Sydney the British Fleet including 1839 Squadron, joined the American Navy in the Pacific theatre of war. The Squadrons were given the task of denying to the Japanese army in the American battle for Okinawa. It was a successful operation over seven weeks but at the cost of 210 aircraft and 44 aircrew killed in action and deck landings. In April 1945 Hank was airlifted back to the UK from where he was appointed to HMS Colossus, one of the four new Light Fleet Carriers on their way as a Fleet to the Pacific. Hank operated as a Deck Landing Control Officer (batsman) in the ship and as a Flight Leader in 1846 Squadron, flying the American Corsair fighter aircraft. Hostilities ceased just as this second British Pacific Fleet, with Hank aborad now as a full time squadron pilot, had lefy Sydney in Australia on its way to join in the attack on the mainland of Japan. AUTHOR: Henry 'Hank' Adlam was more or less educated at Harrow school. After his wartime naval service, like many demobbed personnel, he tried his hand at many occupations and led an intriguing and yo-yo type of life until he reached the safe security of Borad level in the aircraft industry. Another book in the making. His family were engineers in Bristol since 1820 and, having immensely enjoyed his semi-retirement job as Bursar of a large independent College in the City, he is a well known Bristol character. He is a spritely 85 years old and still retains the wicked sense of humour that is frequently demonstrated in this book. An author, but also a well established artist of marine and aviation paintings in the west of England whose work has been exhibited and sold at Christies in London. 16 pages of b/w photos
