21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron

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.

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

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
RankFlagNameTerm
Commodore/Rear-Admiral, Commanding, 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron[2]
1CommodoreGeoffrey Oliver1 March 1945 to 21 August 1945
2Rear AdmiralGeoffrey Oliver21 August 1945 to December 1945

Composition

Reinforcements sent to the Indian Ocean in March 1945
21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, March 1945[2]
ShipDatesNotes
HMS RoyalistMarch to April 1945Dido-class light cruiser and flagship
HMS HunterMarch to April 1945Attacker-class escort carrier
HMS EmperorMarch to April 1945Ruler-class escort carrier
HMS StalkerMarch to April 1945Attacker-class escort carrier
HMS BlackmoreMarch to April 1945Hunt-class destroyer
HMS NubianMarch to April 1945Tribal-class destroyer
HMS TenaciousMarch to April 1945T-class destroyer
HMS TermagantMarch to April 1945T-class destroyer
HMS TroubridgeMarch to April 1945T-class destroyer

Operation Dracula, April to May 1945
21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, April to May 1945[2]
ShipDatesNotes
HMS RoyalistApril to May 1945Dido-class light cruiser and flagship
HMS PhoebeApril to May 1945Dido-class light cruiser
HMS EmperorApril to May 1945escort carrier
HMS HunterApril to May 1945escort carrier
HMS KhediveApril to May 1945escort carrier
HMS StalkerApril to May 1945escort carrier
HMS SaumarezApril to May 1945S-class destroyer
HMS VenusApril to May 1945V-class destroyer
HMS VigilantApril to May 1945V-class destroyer
HMS ViragoApril to May 1945V-class destroyer

Operation Carson, 10 to 15 August 1945
Operation Carson, 10-15 August 1945[3]
ShipDatesNotes
HMS Royalist10 to 15 August 1945Dido-class light cruiser and flagship[3]
HMS Ameer10 to 15 August 1945escort carrier
HMS Emperor10 to 15 August 1945escort carrier
HMS Empress10 to 15 August 1945escort carrier
HMS Khedive10 to 15 August 1945escort carrier
HMS Shah10 to 15 August 1945escort carrier
HMS Penn10 to 15 August 1945P class destroyer from 10th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Verulam10 to 15 August 1945V class destroyer from 10th DF
HMS Tartar10 to 15 August 1945Tribal 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. Kindell, Don. "East Indies Fleet War Diary 1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 15 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  3. Chant, Christopher. "Carson: Operations & Codenames of WWII". codenames.info. C. Chant, 24 May 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  4. Watson, Dr Graham. "Royal Navy Organization 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". 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.
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