List of Royal Navy ships during WWII

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

The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II

Chronology of the USN in WWII

  1939   1940   1941   1942   1943   1944   1945

    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/

 

This webpage was updated 22nd May 2021

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