Carrier Air Groups
1st Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious for service in the British Pacific Fleet and comprised 849 Naval Air Squadron flying the Grumman TBF Avenger, 1834 Naval Air Squadron and 1836 Naval Air Squadron flying the Vought F4U Corsair. It was disbanded on 8 September 1945 when Victorious returned to the United Kingdom.
2nd Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 848 Naval Air Squadron flying the TBF Avenger, 1841 Naval Air Squadron and 1842 Naval Air Squadron flying the F4U Corsair. It was disbanded on 31 October 1945 when Formidable returned to the United Kingdom.
3rd Carrier Air Group - formed on 2 August 1945. It was a spare air group for the British Pacific Fleet based at Nowra. It was formed too late for service in the war, and it contained 854 Naval Air Squadron flying the TBF Avenger, 1843 Naval Air Squadron and 1845 Naval Air Squadron flying the F4U Corsair. It was disbanded on 20 October 1945, and its personnel returned to the United Kingdom on board a merchant ship.
7th Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 820 Naval Air Squadron flying the TBF Avenger, 887 Naval Air Squadron and 894 Naval Air Squadron flying the Supermarine Seafire and 1770 Naval Air Squadron flying the Fairey Firefly. It was disbanded in March 1946.
8th Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Implacable for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 828 Naval Air Squadron flying the TBF Avenger, 801 Naval Air Squadron and 880 Naval Air Squadron flying the Supermarine Seafire and 1771 Naval Air Squadron flying the Fairey Firefly. It was disbanded in April 1946, but some of its squadrons disbanded earlier.
11th Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 857 Naval Air Squadron flying the TBF Avenger, 1839 Naval Air Squadron and 1844 Naval Air Squadron flying the F6F Hellcat. It was disbanded on 30 November 1945.
13th Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Vengeance for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 812 Naval Air Squadron flying the Fairey Barracuda and 1850 Naval Air Squadron flying the F4U Corsair. It was disbanded in August 1946.
14th Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Colossus for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 827 Naval Air Squadron flying the Fairey Barracuda and 1846 Naval Air Squadron flying the F4U Corsair. It was disbanded on 23 July 1946.
15th Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Venerable for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 814 Naval Air Squadron flying the Fairey Barracuda and 1851 Naval Air Squadron flying the F4U Corsair. It was disbanded in 1947.
16th Carrier Air Group - formed on 30 June 1945. It was based on the aircraft carrier HMS Glory for service in the British Pacific Fleet and contained 837 Naval Air Squadron flying the Fairey Barracuda and 1831 Naval Air Squadron flying the F4U Corsair. It was disbanded in 1947.
During the Second World War the creation of a 4th, 5th, 9th, 12th and 22nd Carrier Air Group also was planned. The surrender of Japan rendered the new carrier air groups unnecessary, and they were never formed.
Other Air Groups
50th Training Air Group - formed at RNAS Yeovilton on 13 May 1948. Administered second line units at Yeovilton including 700 Naval Air Squadron (until August 1949), 767 Naval Air Squadron (until January 1952) and 799 Naval Air Squadron (until December 1951). It was disbanded during January 1952.
51st Training Air Group - Formed at RNAS Eglinton during May 1946. Administered second line units at Eglinton such as 718 Naval Air Squadron and 719 Naval Air Squadron. It was disbanded on 13 November 1946.
51st Miscellaneous Air Group - Formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent during July 1948. Administered 771 Naval Air Squadron and 783 Naval Air Squadron at Lee-on-Solent. Disbanded during 1950.
52nd Training Air Group - Formed at RNAS Eglinton. Administered 718, 794 and 795 Naval Air Squadrons at Eglinton. Disbanded during March 1947. Reformed at RNAS Culdrose on 1 February 1950. Administered 736 and 738 Naval Air Squadrons. Disbanded there on 16 August 1951.
53rd Training Air Group - formed at Eglinton on 14 June 1950. Administered 719 and 737 Naval Air Squadrons. Disbanded there on 31 January 1952.
Fleet carriers 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron) HMS Illustrious (87): approximate airgroup 36 Corsairs, 15 Avengers (Flagship 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron) HMS Implacable (R86): 48 Seafire, 21 Avenger, 12 Firefly HMS Indefatigable (R10): 40 Seafire, 18 Avenger, 12 Firefly HMS Indomitable (92): 39 Hellcats, 21 Avengers HMS Victorious (R38): 36 Corsairs, 15 Avengers, plus Walrus amphibian Light carriers HMS Colossus: 24 Corsairs, 18 Barracudas HMS Glory (R62): 21 Corsairs, 18 Barracudas HMS Venerable (R63): 21 Corsairs, 18 Barracudas HMS Vengeance (R71): 24 Corsairs, 18 Barracudas Maintenance carriers HMS Pioneer (R76) HMS Unicorn (I72) Escort carriers 30th Aircraft Carrier Squadron HMS Arbiter (D31) HMS Chaser (D32) HMS Fencer (D64) HMS Ruler (D72) HMS Reaper (D82) HMS Slinger (D26) HMS Speaker (D90) HMS Vindex (D15) Battleships 1st Battle Squadron HMS King George V (41) HMS Duke of York (17) HMS Anson (79) Cruisers HMNZS Achilles (70) HMS Argonaut (61) HMS Belfast (C35) HMS Bermuda (C52) HMS Black Prince (81) HMS Euryalus (42) HMS Gambia (48) HMS Newfoundland (C59) HMCS Ontario (C53) 4th Cruiser Squadron HMCS Uganda (C66) Abdiel-class minelayer or Cruiser-minelayers HMS Apollo (M01) HMS Ariadne (M65) HMS Manxman (M70) Armed merchantmen HMCS Prince Robert Destroyers HMCS Algonquin (R17) HMS Barfleur (D80) HMS Grenville (R97) HMS Kempenfelt (R03) HMAS Napier (G97) HMAS Nepal (G25) HMAS Nizam (G38) HMAS Norman (G49) HMS Quadrant (G11) HMS Quality (G62) HMAS Queenborough (G70) HMAS Quiberon (G81) HMAS Quickmatch (G92) HMS Teazer (R23) HMS Tenacious (R45) HMS Termagant (R89) HMS Terpsichore (R33) HMS Troubridge (R00) HMS Tumult (R11) HMS Tuscan (R56) HMS Tyrian (R67) HMS Ulster (R83) HMS Ulysses (R69) HMS Undaunted (R53) HMS Undine (R42) HMS Urania (R05) HMS Urchin (R99) HMS Ursa (R22) HMS Wager (R98) HMS Wakeful (1943) HMS Wessex (R78) HMS Whelp (R37) HMS Whirlwind (R87) HMS Wizard (R72) HMS Wrangler (R48) Frigates HMS Aire HMS Avon HMS Barle HMS Bigbury Bay (K606) HMS Derg HMS Findhorn HMS Helford HMS Odzani (K356) HMS Parret HMS Plym (K271) HMS Usk HMS Veryan Bay (K651) HMS Whitesand Bay (K633) HMS Widemouth Bay (K615) Sloops HMS Alacrity (U60) HMS Amethyst (U16) HMS Black Swan (L57) HMS Crane HMS Cygnet HMS Enchantress (L56) HMS Erne (U03) HMS Flamingo (L18) HMS Hart (U58) HMS Hind HMS Opossum HMS Pheasant (U49) HMS Redpole HMS Starling (U66) HMS Stork (L81) HMS Whimbrel (U29) HMS Woodcock HMS Wren (U28) Corvettes HMNZS Arbutus (K-403) HMAS Ballarat (J184) HMAS Bendigo (J187) HMAS Burnie HMAS Cairns (J183) HMAS Cessnock (J175) HMAS Gawler (J188) HMAS Geraldton (J178) HMAS Goulburn HMAS Ipswich (J186) HMAS Kalgoorlie HMAS Launceston (J179) HMAS Lismore (J145) HMAS Maryborough (J195) HMAS Pirie (J189) HMAS Tamworth (J191) HMAS Toowoomba (J157) HMAS Whyalla (J153) HMAS Wollongong (J172) Submarines HMS Porpoise (N14) HMS Rorqual (N74) HMS Sanguine (P266) HMS Scotsman (P243) HMS Sea Devil (P244) HMS Sea Nymph (P223) HMS Sea Scout (P253) HMS Selene (P254) HMS Sidon (P259) HMS Sleuth (P261) HMS Solent (P262) HMS Spark (P236) HMS Spearhead (P263) HMS Stubborn (P238) HMS Stygian (P249) HMS Supreme (P252) HMS Taciturn (P334) HMS Tapir (P335) HMS Taurus (P399) HMS Terrapin (P323) HMS Thorough (P324) HMS Thule (P325) HMS Tiptoe (P332) HMS Totem (P352) HMS Trenchant (P331) HMS Trump (P333) HMS Tudor (P326) HMS Turpin (P354) HMS Virtue Antisubmarine training HMS Voracious Antisubmarine training HMS Vox (P73) Antisubmarine training Landing ships HMS Glenearn – landing ship, infantry (Large) HMS Lothian – landing ship, headquarters ship (Large) Auxiliary ship HMS Adamant (A164) submarine depot ship MV Aorangi (1924) accommodation ship HMS Artifex (F28) repair ship HMS Assistance (F173) repair ship RFA Bacchus (A103) Distilling ship HMS Bonaventure (F139) Submarine depot ship HMS Berry Head Repair ship HMS Deer Sound (F99) Repair ship HMS Diligence (F174) Repair ship HMS Dullisk Cove Cove Repair ship RFA Maine (1924) SS Empire Clyde Hospital ship SS Bursa SS Empire Crest Water carrier HMS Fernmore Boom carrier HMS Flamborough Head Repair ship HMS Fort Colville Aircraft store ship RFA Fort Langley (A230) Aircraft store ship HMHS Gerusalemme Hospital ship HMS Guardian (1932) Netlayer HMNZS Kelantan Repair ship RFA King Salvor (A291) Salvage ship HMS Lancashire Accommodation ship HMS Leonian Boom carrier HMS Maidstone (1937) Submarine depot ship TSS Maunganui NZHS Maunganui Hospital ship HMS Montclare (F85) Destroyer Depot Ship HMHS Oxfordshire Hospital ship HMS Resource (F79) Repair ship RFA Salvestor (A499) Salvage ship RFA Salvictor (A500) Salvage ship HMS Shillay Danlayer HMS Springdale Repair ship HMS Stagpool Distilling ship HMHS Tjitalengka Hospital ship HMS Trodday Danlayer HMS Tyne (F24) Destroyer Depot Ship HMS Vacport Water carrier RNH Vasna Hospital ship Replenishment oiler RFA Arndale (A133) RFA Bishopdale (A128) RFA Brown Ranger (A169) RFA Cederdale (A380) RFA Eaglesdale (A104) RFA Green Ranger (A152) RFA Olna (A216) RFA Rapidol RFA Serbol RFA Wave Emperor (A100) RFA Wave Governor RFA Wave King (A264) RFA Wave Monarch MV Aase Maersk (1930) MV Carelia MV Darst Creek MV Golden Meadow MV Iere MV Loma Nova MV San Adolpho MV San Amado MV San Ambrosia MV Seven Sisters Auxiliary ship or Store ships Bosporus City of Dieppe Corinda Darvel Edna Fort Alabama Fort Constantine Victualling stores ship Fort Dunvegan Victualling stores ship Fort Edmonton Victualling stores ship Fort Providence Naval stores ship Fort Wrangell Naval stores ship Gudrun Maersk Hermelin Heron Hickory Burn Hickory Dale Hickory Glen Hickory Steam Jaarstrom Kheti Kistna Kola Marudu Pacheco Prince de Liege Princess Maria Pia Prome Robert Maersk San Andres Sclesvig Thyra S
Photographic and Source Information
HMS Activity an escort carrier built in 1942 at anchor in the Clyde IWM FL111
HMS ACTIVITY, an escort carrier built in 1942, photographed at anchor in the Clyde.
Source: IWM FL 111 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205194531
HMS Activity at anchor in the Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland IWM A21849
HMS ACTIVITY at anchor at Greenock. Three Fairey Swordfish aircraft can be seen on the flight deck with their wings folded.
Source: IWM A 21849 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119800
HMS Activity underway in Firth of Forth IWM FL137
HMS ACTIVITY underway in Firth of Forth
Source: IWM FL 137 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205120053
HMS Arbiter at anchor at Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland IWM A25022
HMS Arbiter at anchor at Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland.
Source: IWM A 25022 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119887
HMS Arbiter at anchor at Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland IWM A28219
HMS Arbiter at anchor at Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland.
Source: IWM A 28219 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205016174
HMS Arbiter at anchor at Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland IWM A25021
HMS Arbiter at anchor at Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland.
Source: IWM A 25021 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119886
HMS ATHELING at anchor off Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland IWM A21918
HMS ATHELING at anchor off Greenock Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK.
Source: IWM A 21918 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119803
HMS Battler moored at Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland IWM A16643
MS BATTLER, one of the American built escort carriers which helped to fight U-Boats, moored at Greenock Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK.
Source: IWM A 22715 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119672
HMS BITER moored at Greenock after a successful operation against German U-Boats IWM A16879
HMS BITER moored at Greenock after a successful operation against German U-Boats.
Source: IWM A 16879 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119678
HMS BITER moored at Greenock after a successful operation against German U-Boats IWM A16880
HMS BITER moored at Greenock after a successful operation against German U-Boats.
Source: IWM A 16880 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119679
HMS Biter from one of her Fairey Swordfish planes just after taking off Mar 1944 IWM A16880
Air view of the Avenger class escort carrier HMS BITER from one of her Fairey Swordfish planes just after taking off. Ready on the deck are two Wildcat fighters, and in the distance ships of the convoy.
Source: IWM A 22715 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205186990
HMS Chaser at anchor off Greenock Renfrewshire Scotland IWM A17859
HMS CHASER, a former American auxiliary carrier commanded by Captain H V P McClintock, at anchor at Greenock Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK.
Source: IWM A 17859 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119710
HMS Nabob proceeding homewards after she was hit by a torpedo IWM A25368
The damaged HMS NABOB proceeding homewards under her own steam, her stern low down in the water. She was hit by a torpedo during an operation in northern waters. Despite her damaged condition, NABOB turned homeward with a skeleton crew and reached her base after sailing 1070 miles at a steady ten knots.
Source: IWM A 25368 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205016148
HMS PURSUER moored after arriving back at Greenock IWM A22179
HMS PURSUER moored after arriving back at Greenock
Source: IWM A 22179 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205119807
HMS Stalker underway off San Francisco IWM FL19295
HMS Stalker Underway off San Francisco.
Source: IWM FL 19295 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205121512
HMS Pretoria Castle at anchor IWM FL17631
HMS Pretoria Castle at anchor IWM FL17631
Source: IWM FL 17631 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205121512
Bibliography:
- Cocker, Maurice (2008). Aircraft-Carrying Ships of the Royal Navy. Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4633-2.
- Plowman, Peter (2006). Australian Migrant Ships 1946-1977. Kenthurst New South Wales: Rosenberg Publishing. ISBN 978-1-877058-40-0.
- Poolman, Kenneth (1972). Escort Carrier 1941–1945. London: Ian Allen. ISBN 0-7110-0273-8.
Magazine References: +
- Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
- Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
- FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
- Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
- Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
- Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
- Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
- Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
- Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
- Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/
Web References: +
- http://www.acesofww2.com/
- http://www.navsource.org/archives/
- http://www.battle-fleet.com/
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/
Editor for Asisbiz: Matthew Laird Acred
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