21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron
ActiveMarch-December 1945
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchRoyal Navy
TypeSquadron
Garrison/HQTrincomalee, Ceylon
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Oliver

The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron [1] also called Twenty First Aircraft Carrier Squadron was a Royal Navy aircraft carrier formation from March 1945 to December 1945.

During its existence the squadron's usual composition varied depending on its operational orders. It included a Dido-class light cruiser that served as its flagship, four to five escort carriers of the Attacker-class and Ruler-class, as well as four supporting destroyers of different classes. During Operation Dracula the squadron also included a second cruiser of the Dido class in support of the main force.

History

The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron was established in March 1945 as part of reinforcements sent to the Indian Ocean and was assigned to the East Indies Fleet.[2] On 25 April 1945 the squadron took part in Operation Dracula as part of Force W along with the 3rd Battle Squadron. Its responsibility was to provide daylight air cover during the initial stages of the operation until May 1945.[2] From 10 August 1945 to 15 August 1945 it took part in Operation Carson as a component of Force 61.[3] The squadron remained in existence until December 1945 when it was disbanded. [4]

Commanders

Rank Flag Name Term
Commodore/Rear-Admiral, Commanding, 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron[2]
1 Commodore Geoffrey Oliver 1 March 1945 to 21 August 1945
2 Rear Admiral Geoffrey Oliver 21 August 1945 to December 1945

Composition

Reinforcements sent to the Indian Ocean in March 1945

21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, March 1945[2]
Ship Dates Notes
HMS Royalist March to April 1945 Dido-class light cruiser and flagship
HMS Hunter March to April 1945 Attacker-class escort carrier
HMS Emperor March to April 1945 Ruler-class escort carrier
HMS Stalker March to April 1945 Attacker-class escort carrier
HMS Blackmore March to April 1945 Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Nubian March to April 1945 Tribal-class destroyer
HMS Tenacious March to April 1945 T-class destroyer
HMS Termagant March to April 1945 T-class destroyer
HMS Troubridge March to April 1945 T-class destroyer

Operation Dracula, April to May 1945

21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, April to May 1945[2]
Ship Dates Notes
HMS Royalist April to May 1945 Dido-class light cruiser and flagship
HMS Phoebe April to May 1945 Dido-class light cruiser
HMS Emperor April to May 1945 escort carrier
HMS Hunter April to May 1945 escort carrier
HMS Khedive April to May 1945 escort carrier
HMS Stalker April to May 1945 escort carrier
HMS Saumarez April to May 1945 S-class destroyer
HMS Venus April to May 1945 V-class destroyer
HMS Vigilant April to May 1945 V-class destroyer
HMS Virago April to May 1945 V-class destroyer

Operation Carson, 10 to 15 August 1945

Operation Carson, 10-15 August 1945[3]
Ship Dates Notes
HMS Royalist 10 to 15 August 1945 Dido-class light cruiser and flagship[3]
HMS Ameer 10 to 15 August 1945 escort carrier
HMS Emperor 10 to 15 August 1945 escort carrier
HMS Empress 10 to 15 August 1945 escort carrier
HMS Khedive 10 to 15 August 1945 escort carrier
HMS Shah 10 to 15 August 1945 escort carrier
HMS Penn 10 to 15 August 1945 P class destroyer from 10th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Verulam 10 to 15 August 1945 V class destroyer from 10th DF
HMS Tartar 10 to 15 August 1945 Tribal class destroyer from 10th DF

References

  1. ^ Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). "1: Introduction". Men of The Battle of Britain: A Biographical Dictionary of The Few. Barnsley, England: Frontline Books. ISBN 9781473847682.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kindell, Don. "East Indies Fleet War Diary 1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 15 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Chant, Christopher. "Carson: Operations & Codenames of WWII". codenames.info. C. Chant, 24 May 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  4. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organization in World War 2, 1939-1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2018.

Sources

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