Seyðisfjörður & Victorious attack on Petsamo

1941 2 British carriers attack Petsamo, use Seyðisfjörður as staging base.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raid_on_Kirkenes_and_Petsamo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sey%C3%B0isfj%C3%B6r%C3%B0ur



Furious attacked ships in the harbour of Petsamo, Liinahamari, launching nine Fairey Albacores from 817 Squadron, nine Fairey Swordfish of 812 Squadron and six bomb armed Fairey Fulmars[5] from 800 Squadron.[4] In the end, the harbour was almost entirely empty and the raiders claimed sinking only one small steamer and the destruction of several jetties,[4] amid heavy antiaircraft fire.[6] One Albacore and one Fulmar were lost due to enemy action and one more Fulmar was lost due to engine failure prior to the attack.[7]

The raid on Kirkenes was a disaster.[6] The Luftwaffe had been alerted and had their Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters in the air and waiting.[6] Victorious launched two sub flights consisting of a total of 12 Albacores from 827 Squadron, eight Albacores from 828 Squadron, and nine Fulmars from 809 Squadron.[4][6] The Fulmars were unable to rendezvous with the Albacore squadrons, who were then left without fighter protection.[8] The Albacores had to attack by flying over the mountains and the fjord rather than attacking from the sea.[9] There were only four cargo vessels within the harbour.[10] The aircraft released their torpedoes quickly to get away from anti-aircraft fire, sinking one 2,000 long tons (2,000 t) vessel and setting another on fire and causing minor damage ashore.[4] One Bf 109, two Bf 110s and one Ju 87[11] were claimed shot down[i] for the loss of 11 Albacores and two Fulmars, with a further eight Albacores damaged.[4] Incomplete German loss records confirm the loss of at least one Bf 110 to a Fulmar and one Ju 87 to an Albacore.[12]