Royal Navy Historical Archive
The Last of the Stringbags
Lt Cdr John Barnes (1921–2026)
Executive Summary: The Closing of a Naval Epoch
The death of Lieutenant Commander John Barnes at the age of 104 marks the severance of one of the final living links to the Battle of the Atlantic. A pilot of the legendary Fairey Swordfish, Barnes distinguished himself during “Black May” of 1943, crippling U-89 and helping turn the tide of the war. His passing in Guernsey concludes a life that spanned the entirety of the modern naval age.
✈️ The Operational Platform: The Fairey Swordfish
Known universally as the “Stringbag,” the Swordfish was an anachronism—a fabric-covered biplane in an age of monoplanes. Yet, it was Barnes’s lifeline. Its low stall speed allowed him to operate from the heaving decks of small Escort Carriers (CVEs) in the mid-Atlantic “Air Gap,” where faster fighters could not fly.
The Environment: Open cockpits, sub-zero spray, and gale-force winds. Barnes relied on a “seaman’s eye” to spot U-boats in the whitecaps, a skill no radar could fully replace in 1943.
⚓ The Sinking of U-89: May 12, 1943
The Hunter-Killer Doctrine
Flying from HMS Biter, Barnes visually acquired the surfaced U-89. Ignoring anti-aircraft fire, he executed a low-level depth charge run.
Result: The attack crippled the submarine, allowing surface ships HMS Broadway and HMS Lagan to finish the kill.
Strategic Impact
This action occurred during “Black May,” the month the Allies finally broke the U-boat offensive. Barnes didn’t just sink a ship; he helped secure the Atlantic lifeline for D-Day.
📅 Biographical Timeline
| Year | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Born (April 15). | UK |
| 1943 | Cripples U-89 during Battle of the Atlantic. | North Atlantic |
| 1961 | Retires from Navy; moves to Guernsey. | Channel Islands |
| 2025 | Visited by 814 NAS “Flying Tigers” (Merlin Mk2). | Guernsey |
| 2026 | Dies aged 104 (Jan 6). | Saumarez Park Manor |
⛵ A Civilian Life Under Sail
Upon moving to Guernsey in 1961, Barnes traded the cockpit for the helm. He became a fixture of the island’s sailing community, navigating the treacherous tidal waters of the Channel until the age of 80. His 76-year marriage to Anne and his three sons represent the peace he fought to secure.
Conclusion: A Final Salute
As the Merlin helicopters of 814 Squadron fly over the Channel today, they do so in airspace secured by John Barnes and his Stringbag. His death marks the end of an era, but his “Tiger Spirit” remains woven into the DNA of the Fleet Air Arm.
Fair winds and following seas, Lieutenant Commander.
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