21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron


The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron also called Twenty First Aircraft Carrier Squadron was a Royal Navy aircraft carrier formation 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 flagship and occasionally another light cruiser. The main components were four to five escort carriers of 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. 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. On 10 August 1945 it took part in Operation Carson as a component of Force 61 until 15 August 1945. It Existed till December 1945 when it was disbanded.

Commanders

RankFlagNameTerm
1CommodoreGeoffrey Oliver1 March 1945 to 21 August 1945
2Rear-AdmiralGeoffrey Oliver21 August 1945 to December 1945

Composition

Reinforcements sent to Indian Ocean March 1945

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

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

ShipDatesNotes
HMS Royalist10 to 15 August 1945
HMS Ameerdittoescort carrier
HMS Emperordittoescort carrier
HMS Empressdittoescort carrier
HMS Khedivedittoescort carrier
HMS Shahditto
HMS VerulamdittoV class destroyer from 10th DF
HMS TartardittoTribal class destroyer from 10th DF