21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron
| 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | March-December 1945 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Type | Squadron |
| Garrison/HQ | Trincomalee, 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
[edit]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
[edit]| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commodore |  |
Geoffrey Oliver | 1 March 1945 to 21 August 1945 |
| 2 | Rear Admiral |  |
Geoffrey Oliver | 21 August 1945 to December 1945 |
Composition
[edit]Reinforcements sent to the Indian Ocean in March 1945
[edit]| 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
[edit]| 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
[edit]| 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
[edit]- ^ Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). "1: Introduction". Men of The Battle of Britain: A Biographical Dictionary of The Few. Barnsley, England: Frontline Books. ISBN 9781473847682.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Chant, Christopher. "Carson: Operations & Codenames of WWII". codenames.info. C. Chant, 24 May 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ 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
[edit]- Chant, Christopher. "Carson: Operations & Codenames of WWII". codenames.info. C. Chant, 24 May 2018.
- Kindell, Don. "East Indies Fleet War Diary 1945". Admiralty War Diaries of World War 2. www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 15 July 2011.
- Watson, Dr Graham. "Royal Navy Organization in World War 2, 1939-1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015.
- Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). "1: Introduction". Men of The Battle of Britain: A Biographical Dictionary of The Few. Barnsley, England: Frontline Books. ISBN 9781473847682.
