On this day 1941
Published: 01 Nov 2014
On this day 1 November 1941 The first operational launch from a CAM ship.
Pilot Officer G.W Varley RAFVR in a Hurricane from Empire Foam chased off a Focke Wulf 200 Kondor. There being no means to recover the aircraft once launched, Varley then baled out and was rescued by HMS Broke.
Catapult Aircraft Merchantmen were cargo carrying merchant ships flying the Red Ensign and fitted with a catapult launcher over the forecastle. As adequate numbers of escort carriers became available, CAM sailings on North American and Arctic Russian convoys were discontinued in August 1942.