21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron
| 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | March-December 1945 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | Trincomalee, Ceylon |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Oliver |
The British 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron [1] also called Twenty First Aircraft Carrier Squadron was a military formation of Aircraft Carriers of the Royal Navy from March 1945 to December 1945. During its existence the squadrons usual composition varied depending on its operational orders it included a Dido-class light Cruiser that served as its Flag Ship occasionally another light cruiser. The main components were four to five Escort Carriers from the Attacker-class and Ruler-class together with four supporting destroyers of different classes.
History
The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron was established in March 1945 as part of re-enforcement's sent to the Indian Ocean and assigned only to the East Indies Fleet [2]. On 25 April 1945 the squadron took part in Operation Dracula as part of Force W that also included the 3rd Battle Squadron its responsibility was to provide daylight air cover during the initial stages of the operation until May 1945.[2] On 10 August 1945 it took part in Operation Carson as a component of Force 61 until 15 August 1945.[3] It Existed till December 1945 when it was disbanded. [4]
Administration
Commodore, Rear-Admiral, Commanding, 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron
Included:
| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commodore/Rear-Admiral, Commanding, 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron | |||||
| 1 | Commodore |  |
Geoffrey Oliver | 1 March 1945 to 21st August 1945 | [2] |
| 2 | Rear-Admiral |  |
Geoffrey Oliver | 21st August 1945 to December 1945 | [2] |
Composition
Formed from reinforcements sent to Indian Ocean March 1945
Included:
: 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron; British East Indies Fleet March 1945[2]
| Ship | Dates | Notes/Ref |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Royalist | March to April 1945 | (Dido-class light cruiser and flagship) [2] |
| HMS Hunter | ditto | (escort carrier) [2] |
| HMS Emperor | ditto | (escort carrier) [2] |
| HMS Stalker | ditto | (escort carrier) [2] |
| HMS Blackmore | ditto | (escort destroyer) [2] |
| HMS Nubian | ditto | (Tribal class destroyer) [2] |
| HMS Tenacious | ditto | (T class destroyer) [2] |
| HMS Termagant | ditto | (ditto) [2] |
| HMS Troubridge | ditto | (ditto) [2] |
Operation Dracula, April to May 1945
: 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron; British East Indies Fleet, Operation Dracula April to May 1945[2]
| Ship | Dates | Notes/Ref |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Royalist | April to May 1945 | (Dido-class light cruiser and flagship) [2] |
| HMS Phoebe | ditto | (Dido-class light cruiser) [2] |
| HMS Emperor | ditto | (escort carrier) [2] |
| HMS Hunter | ditto | (escort carrier) [2] |
| HMS Khedive | ditto | (escort carrier) [2] |
| HMS Stalker | ditto | (escort carrier) [2] |
| HMS Saumarez | ditto | (S class destroyer) [2] |
| HMS Venus | ditto | (V class destroyer) [2] |
| HMS Vigilant | ditto | (ditto) [2] |
| HMS Virago | ditto | (ditto) [2] |
Operation Carson, 10 to 15 August, 1945
: 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron; British East Indies Fleet, Operation Carson, 10-15 August, 1945[3]
| Ship | Dates | Notes/Ref |
|---|---|---|
| HMS Royalist | 10 to 15 August, 1945 | (Dido-class light cruiser and flagship) [3] |
| HMS Ameer | ditto | (escort carrier) [3] |
| HMS Emperor | ditto | (escort carrier) [3] |
| HMS Empress | ditto | (escort carrier) [3] |
| HMS Khedive | ditto | (escort carrier) [3] |
| HMS Shah | ditto | (escort carrier) [3] |
| HMS Penn | ditto | (P class destroyer from 10th Destroyer Flotilla) [3] |
| HMS Verulam | ditto | (V class destroyer from 10th DF) [3] |
| HMS Tartar | ditto | (Tribal class destroyer from 10th DF) [3] |
References
- ^ 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 f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Kindell, Don. "East Indies Fleet War Diary 1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 15 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Chant, Christopher. "Carson: Operations & Codenames of WWII". codenames.info. C. Chant, 24 May 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ Watson, Dr Graham. "Royal Navy Orgnisation in World War 2, 1939-1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
Sources
- Chant, Christopher. "Carson: Operations & Codenames of WWII". codenames.info. C. Chant, 24 May 2018.
- Kindell, Don. "East Indies Fleet War Diary 1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 15 July 2011.
- Watson, Dr Graham. "Royal Navy Orgnisation 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.
