British Pacific Fleet
Encyclopedia
The British Pacific Fleet (BPF) was a British Commonwealth naval
force which saw action against Japan
during World War II
. The fleet was composed of British Commonwealth
naval vessels. The BPF formally came into being on 22 November 1944. Its main base was at Sydney
, Australia
, with a forward base at Manus Island
.
it included four battleships, eighteen aircraft carriers, eleven cruisers and many smaller warships and support vessels. Despite this, it was dwarfed by the forces that the United States had in action against Japan. While the British fleet was not critical to the war in the Pacific, it did participate in and protect the flank of the final Allied drive against Japan in 1945.
Following their retreat to the western side of the Indian Ocean
in 1942, British naval forces did not return to the South West Pacific theatre
until 17 May 1944, when an Anglo-American carrier task force implemented Operation Transom
, a joint raid on Surabaya
, Java.
The U.S. was liberating British territories in the Pacific and extending its influence. It was therefore seen as a political and military imperative to restore a British presence in the region and to deploy British military assets directly against Japan. The British government were determined that British territories, such as Hong Kong, should be recaptured by British forces.
The British establishment, however, was not unanimous on the commitment of the BPF. Churchill
, in particular, argued against it, not wishing to be a visibly junior partner in what had been exclusively the United States' battle. (The Australian and New Zealand forces that were active had been absorbed into US command structures.) He also considered that a British presence would be unwelcome and should be concentrated on Burma
and Malaya
. Naval planners, supported by the Chiefs of Staff
, believed that such a commitment would strengthen British influence and the British Chiefs of Staff considered mass resignation, so strongly held were their opinions. Some U.S. planners had also considered, in 1944, that a strong British presence against Japan was essential to an early end to the war and American home opinion would also be badly affected if Britain did not put itself in the line.
The Admiralty
had proposed an active British role in the Pacific in early 1944 but the initial USN response had been discouraging. Admiral Ernest King
, Commander-in-Chief United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations, and alleged Anglophobe, was reluctant to concede any such role and raised a number of issues, including the requirement that the BPF should be entirely self-sufficient. These were eventually overcome or discounted and, when at a meeting, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt "intervened to say that the British Fleet was no sooner offered than accepted. In this, though the fact was not mentioned, he overruled Admiral King's opinion".
The Australian Government had sought U.S. military assistance in 1942, when it was faced with the possibility of Japanese invasion. While Australia had made a significant contribution to the Pacific War, it had never been an equal partner with its U.S. counterparts in strategic decision-making. It was argued that a British presence would act as a counter-balance to the powerful and increasing U.S. presence in the Pacific.
struck his flag at Trincomalee
as Commander-in-Chief of the British Eastern Fleet
and hoisted it in the gunboat
HMS Tarantula as Commander-in-Chief British Pacific Fleet. He later transferred his flag to a more suitable vessel, the battleship
HMS Howe
.
The Eastern Fleet was reorganised into the British East Indies Fleet, based in Ceylon
(now Sri Lanka), and what was to be become the British Pacific Fleet (BPF). The BPF operated against targets in Sumatra
, gaining experience until early 1945, when it departed Trincomalee for Sydney. (These operations are described in the article on the British Eastern Fleet
.)
The name "British Pacific Fleet" is misleading, the BPF was multi-national although the British provided the majority of the fleet and all the capital ships. It eventually comprised ships and personnel from the British Royal Navy
(RN), British Royal Fleet Auxiliary
(RFA), Royal Australian Navy
(RAN), Royal Canadian Navy
(RCN) and Royal New Zealand Navy
(RNZN). The RAN's contribution was limited because its larger vessels had been integrated with United States Navy
formations since 1942. A high proportion of naval aviators were New Zealanders. The USN also contributed to the BPF, as did personnel from the South African Navy
(SAN). Australian and New Zealand ports and infrastructure also made vital contributions in support of the BPF.
During World War II, the fleet was commanded by Admiral
Sir Bruce Fraser. In practice, command of the fleet in action devolved to Vice-Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings
, with Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Vian
in charge of air operations by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm
(FAA). The fighting end of the fleet was referred to as Task Force 37
or 57
and the Fleet Train was Task Force 113. The 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron was the lead carrier formation.
The requirement that the BPF be self-sufficient necessitated the establishment of a fleet train that could adequately support an active naval force at sea for weeks or months. The Royal Navy had been used to operating close to its bases in Britain, the Mediterranean or the Indian Ocean, and purpose-built infrastructure and expertise were lacking. Indeed, in the north Atlantic and Mediterranean, the high risks of submarine and air attack would have made routine at-sea refuelling highly dangerous. Fortunately for the BPF "the American logistics authorities... interpreted self-sufficiency in a very liberal sense".
The Admiralty
sent Vice Admiral Charles Daniel
to the United States for consultation about the supply and administration of the fleet. He then proceeded to Australia where he became Vice Admiral, Administration, British Pacific Fleet, a role that "if unspectacular compared with command of a fighting squadron, was certainly one of the most arduous to be allocated to a British Flag officer during the entire war." The US Pacific Fleet had assembled an enormous fleet of oilers and supply ships of every type. Even before the war, it had been active in the development of underway replenishment
techniques. The Admiralty realised that it had a great deal of new capabilities to develop, in a short time, and with whatever it had to hand. Lacking purpose-built ships, it had to assemble a fleet train from whatever RN, RFA
or merchant ships were available. On 8 February 1944 the First Sea Lord
, Admiral of the Fleet
Sir Alan Cunningham
, informed the Defence Committee that 91 ships would be required to support the BPF. This was based on an assumption that the BPF would be active off the Philippines, or would have a base there. By March, the war zone had moved north and the Americans were unwilling to allow the British to establish facilities in the Philippines. The estimate had grown to 158 ships, as it was recognised that operations eventually would be fought close to Japan. This had to be balanced against the shipping needed to import food for the civilian population of the UK. In January 1945, the War cabinet was forced to postpone the deployment of the fleet by two months due to the shortage of shipping.
The BPF found that its tankers were too few in number, too slow, and in some cases unsuitable for the task of replenishment at sea. Its oiling gear, hoses, and fittings were too often poorly designed. British ships refuelled at sea mostly by the over-the-stern method, a safer but less efficient technique compared with the American method of refuelling alongside. Lack of proper equipment and insufficient practice meant burst hoses or excessive time at risk to submarine attack while holding a constant course during fuelling. Moreover, as the Royal Australian Navy had already discovered, British built ships had only about a third of the refrigeration space of a comparable American ship. British ships therefore required replenishment more frequently than American ships. In some cases even American-built equipment was not interchangeable, for FAA aircraft had been "Anglicized" by the installation of British radios and oxygen masks, while British Corsairs
had their wing-folding arrangements modified in order to fit into the more cramped hangars of British carriers. Replacement aircraft therefore had to be brought from the UK.
The British Chiefs of Staff decided early on to base the BPF in Australia rather than India, where there was famine
and unrest
over British colonial rule
. While it was apparent that Australia, with its population of only about seven million could not support the projected 675,000 men and women of the BPF, the actual extent of the Australian contribution was undetermined.The Australian government agreed to contribute to the support of the BPF, but the Australian economy was fully committed to the war effort, and manpower and stores for the BPF could only come from taking them from American and Australian forces fighting the Japanese. Unfortunately, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser arrived in Sydney
on 10 December 1944 under the mistaken impression that Australia had asked for the BPF and promised to provide for its needs. Two days later, the Acting Prime Minister of Australia
Frank Forde
announced the allocation of £21,156,500 for the maintenance of the BPF. In January 1945, General of the Army
Douglas MacArthur
agreed to release American stockpiles in Australia to support the BPF. The Australian government soon became concerned at the voracious demands of the BPF works program, which was criticised by Australian military leaders. In April 1945, Fraser publicly criticised the Australian government's handling of waterside industrial disputes that were holding up British ships. The government was shocked and angered, but agreed to allocate £6,562,500 for BPF naval works. Fraser was not satisfied. On 8 August 1945 Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Clement Attlee
felt obliged to express his regret for the misunderstandings to the Australian government.
The distance from Sydney was too far to allow efficient fleet support, so, with much American support, a forward base was established at Manus
atoll, in the Admiralty Islands
, which was described as "Scapa Flow
with bloody palm trees."
As well as its base at Sydney, the Fleet Air Arm
established Mobile Naval Air Bases
(MONABs) in Australia to provide technical and logistic support for the aircraft. The first of these became active in Sydney in January 1945.
Major actions in which the fleet was involved included Operation Meridian
, air strikes in January 1945 against oil production at Palembang
, Sumatra
. These raids, conducted in bad weather, succeeded in reducing the oil supply of the Japanese Navy. A total of 48 FAA aircraft was lost due to enemy action and crash landings; they claimed 30 Japanese planes destroyed in dogfights and 38 on the ground.
The United States Navy (USN), which had control of Allied operations in the Pacific Ocean Areas, gave the BPF combat units the designation of Task Force 57 (TF-57) when it joined Admiral Raymond Spruance's United States Fifth Fleet on 15 March 1945. On 27 May 1945, it became Task Force 37 (TF-37) when it became part of Admiral William Halsey's United States Third Fleet.
In March 1945, while supporting the invasion of Okinawa
, the BPF had sole responsibility for operations in the Sakishima Islands
. Its role was to suppress Japanese air activity, using gunfire and air attack, at potential Kamikaze staging airfields that would otherwise be a threat to U.S. Navy vessels operating at Okinawa. The carriers were subject to heavy and repeated kamikaze
attacks, but because of their armoured flight decks, the British aircraft carriers proved highly resistant (unlike their U.S. counterparts), and returned to action relatively quickly. The U.S.N liaison officer on the Indefatigable commented: "When a kamikaze hits a U.S. carrier it means 6 months of repair at Pearl [Harbor]. When a kamikaze hits a Limey carrier it’s just a case of "Sweepers, man your brooms."” (Subsequent studies, however, showed that serious damage had occurred to the ships' structure and post-war modernisation was uneconomic. .
)
Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Seafire
s saw service in the Pacific campaigns. Due to their good high altitude performance and lack of ordnance-carrying capabilities (compared to the Hellcats and Corsairs of the Fleet) the Seafires were allocated the vital defensive duties of Combat Air Patrol
(CAP) over the fleet. Seafires were thus heavily involved in countering the Kamikaze
attacks during the Iwo Jima
landings and beyond. The Seafires' best day was 15 August 1945, shooting down eight attacking aircraft for a single loss.
In April 1945, the British 4th Submarine Flotilla was transferred to the major Allied submarine base
at Fremantle, Western Australia
, as part of BPF. Its most notable success in this period was the sinking of the heavy cruiser Ashigara
, on 8 June 1945 in Banka Strait, off Sumatra, by HMS Trenchant
and HMS Stygian
. On 31 July 1945, in Operation Struggle, the British midget submarine
XE3
, crewed by Lieutenant Ian Fraser
, Acting Leading Seaman
James Magennis
, Sub-Lieutenant
William James Lanyon Smith, RNZNVR, and Engine Room Artificer Third Class, Charles Alfred Reed, attacked Japanese shipping at Singapore. They sank the heavy cruiser Takao
, which settled to the bottom at its berth. Fraser and Magennis were both awarded the Victoria Cross
, Smith received the Distinguished Service Order
(DSO) and Reed the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
(CGM).
Battleships and aircraft from the fleet also attacked the Japanese home islands. The battleship King George V
bombarded naval installations
at Hamamatsu, near Tokyo; the last time a British battleship fired in action. Meanwhile, carrier strikes were carried out against land and harbour targets including, notably, the disabling of a Japanese escort carrier by British naval aircraft. Although, during the assaults on Japan, the British commanders had accepted that the BPF should become a component element of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, the U.S. fleet commander, William Halsey, excluded British forces from a raid on Kure naval base
on political grounds. Halsey later wrote, in his memoirs: "it was imperative that we forestall a possible postwar claim by Britain that she had delivered even a part of the final blow that demolished the Japanese fleet.... an exclusively American attack was therefore in American interests."
The BPF would have played a major part in a proposed invasion of the Japanese home islands, known as Operation Downfall
, which was cancelled after Japan surrendered. The last naval air action in World War II was on VJ-Day when British carrier aircraft shot down Japanese Zero fighters.
Lt Robert Hampton Gray
, a Canadian
naval airman who piloted a Vought Corsair
with 1841 Naval Air Squadron on HMS Formidable
, was awarded the Victoria Cross
, following his death in an attack on a Japanese destroyer at Onagawa Wan, Japan, on August 9, 1945.
Fighter squadrons from the fleet claimed a total of 112.5 Japanese aircraft shot down. 1844 Squadron NAS (flying Hellcats
) was the top-scoring squadron, with 28 claims.
, commander of the British Fleet Train, that he could have anything and everything “that could be given without Admiral King’s knowledge.”
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Following the end of hostilities, the fleet formed the naval arm of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
in Japan.
The effort made by Britain and its Commonwealth partners in the final stages of the Pacific war did manage to repair British prestige and influence in this region which it had been forced to neglect while concentrating on the war in Europe.
s, other kinds of fighting ships, and many support vessels.
Aircraft carriers
Escort Carriers
Battleships
Cruisers
Cruiser-Minelayers
AA Escort
Destroyers
Frigates
Sloops
Corvettes
Submarines
Landing Ships
Fleet Train
Oilers
Store ships
Source: Smith, Task Force 57, pp. 178–184
(See List of Fleet Air Arm carrier air groups)
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
force which saw action against Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The fleet was composed of British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
naval vessels. The BPF formally came into being on 22 November 1944. Its main base was at Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, with a forward base at Manus Island
Manus Island
Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea and is the largest island of the Admiralty Islands. It is the fifth largest island in Papua New Guinea with an area of 2,100 km², measuring around 100 km × 30 km. According to the 2000 census, Manus Island had a...
.
Background
The British Pacific Fleet was, and remains, the most powerful conventional war fleet assembled by the Royal Navy. By VJ DayVictory over Japan Day
Victory over Japan Day is a name chosen for the day on which the Surrender of Japan occurred, effectively ending World War II, and subsequent anniversaries of that event...
it included four battleships, eighteen aircraft carriers, eleven cruisers and many smaller warships and support vessels. Despite this, it was dwarfed by the forces that the United States had in action against Japan. While the British fleet was not critical to the war in the Pacific, it did participate in and protect the flank of the final Allied drive against Japan in 1945.
Following their retreat to the western side of the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean raid
The Indian Ocean raid was a naval sortie by the Fast Carrier Strike Force of the Imperial Japanese Navy from 31 March-10 April 1942 against Allied shipping and bases in the Indian Ocean. It was an early engagement of the Pacific campaign of World War II...
in 1942, British naval forces did not return to the South West Pacific theatre
South West Pacific theatre of World War II
The South West Pacific Theatre, technically the South West Pacific Area, between 1942 and 1945, was one of two designated area commands and war theatres enumerated by the Combined Chiefs of Staff of World War II in the Pacific region....
until 17 May 1944, when an Anglo-American carrier task force implemented Operation Transom
Operation Transom
Operation Transom was a major bombing raid on Japanese targets at Surabaya, Java by American and British planes on 17 May 1944 during World War II....
, a joint raid on Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
, Java.
The U.S. was liberating British territories in the Pacific and extending its influence. It was therefore seen as a political and military imperative to restore a British presence in the region and to deploy British military assets directly against Japan. The British government were determined that British territories, such as Hong Kong, should be recaptured by British forces.
The British establishment, however, was not unanimous on the commitment of the BPF. Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, in particular, argued against it, not wishing to be a visibly junior partner in what had been exclusively the United States' battle. (The Australian and New Zealand forces that were active had been absorbed into US command structures.) He also considered that a British presence would be unwelcome and should be concentrated on Burma
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
and Malaya
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia , also known as West Malaysia , is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula. Its area is . It shares a land border with Thailand in the north. To the south is the island of Singapore. Across the Strait of Malacca to the west lies the island of Sumatra...
. Naval planners, supported by the Chiefs of Staff
Chiefs of Staff Committee
The Chiefs of Staff Committee is composed of the most senior military personnel in the British Armed Forces.-History:The Chiefs of Staff Committee was initially established as a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence in 1923. It remained as such until the abolition of the CID upon the...
, believed that such a commitment would strengthen British influence and the British Chiefs of Staff considered mass resignation, so strongly held were their opinions. Some U.S. planners had also considered, in 1944, that a strong British presence against Japan was essential to an early end to the war and American home opinion would also be badly affected if Britain did not put itself in the line.
The Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
had proposed an active British role in the Pacific in early 1944 but the initial USN response had been discouraging. Admiral Ernest King
Ernest King
Fleet Admiral Ernest Joseph King was Commander in Chief, United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations during World War II. As COMINCH, he directed the United States Navy's operations, planning, and administration and was a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the U.S...
, Commander-in-Chief United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations, and alleged Anglophobe, was reluctant to concede any such role and raised a number of issues, including the requirement that the BPF should be entirely self-sufficient. These were eventually overcome or discounted and, when at a meeting, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt "intervened to say that the British Fleet was no sooner offered than accepted. In this, though the fact was not mentioned, he overruled Admiral King's opinion".
The Australian Government had sought U.S. military assistance in 1942, when it was faced with the possibility of Japanese invasion. While Australia had made a significant contribution to the Pacific War, it had never been an equal partner with its U.S. counterparts in strategic decision-making. It was argued that a British presence would act as a counter-balance to the powerful and increasing U.S. presence in the Pacific.
Constituent forces
The fleet was founded when Admiral Sir Bruce FraserBruce Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape
Admiral of the Fleet Bruce Austin Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape GCB, KBE was a senior British admiral during World War II.-Early naval career:Fraser joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 January 1904...
struck his flag at Trincomalee
Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a port city in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka and lies on the east coast of the island, about 113 miles south of Jaffna. It has a population of approximately 100,000 . The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. Overlooking the Kottiyar Bay,...
as Commander-in-Chief of the British Eastern Fleet
British Eastern Fleet
The British Eastern Fleet was a fleet of the Royal Navy which existed from 1941 to 1971...
and hoisted it in the gunboat
Insect class gunboat
The Insect class patrol boats were a class of small, but well-armed Royal Navy ships designed for use in shallow rivers or inshore. They were intended for use on the Danube...
HMS Tarantula as Commander-in-Chief British Pacific Fleet. He later transferred his flag to a more suitable vessel, the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
HMS Howe
HMS Howe (1940)
HMS Howe was the last of the five British King George V-class battleships of the Royal Navy . Laid down in 1937 and commissioning in 1942, Howe operated during World War II as part of the British Home Fleet, the Mediterranean Force H, and the British Pacific Fleet.Following the end of the war,...
.
The Eastern Fleet was reorganised into the British East Indies Fleet, based in Ceylon
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
(now Sri Lanka), and what was to be become the British Pacific Fleet (BPF). The BPF operated against targets in Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
, gaining experience until early 1945, when it departed Trincomalee for Sydney. (These operations are described in the article on the British Eastern Fleet
British Eastern Fleet
The British Eastern Fleet was a fleet of the Royal Navy which existed from 1941 to 1971...
.)
The name "British Pacific Fleet" is misleading, the BPF was multi-national although the British provided the majority of the fleet and all the capital ships. It eventually comprised ships and personnel from the British Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
(RN), British Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
(RFA), Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN), Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
(RCN) and Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
(RNZN). The RAN's contribution was limited because its larger vessels had been integrated with United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
formations since 1942. A high proportion of naval aviators were New Zealanders. The USN also contributed to the BPF, as did personnel from the South African Navy
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
(SAN). Australian and New Zealand ports and infrastructure also made vital contributions in support of the BPF.
During World War II, the fleet was commanded by Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Sir Bruce Fraser. In practice, command of the fleet in action devolved to Vice-Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings
Bernard Rawlings (Royal Navy officer)
Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings GBE KCB was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Flag Officer, Eastern Mediterranean during World War II.-Naval career:...
, with Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Vian
Philip Vian
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Philip Louis Vian, GCB, KBE, DSO & Two Bars was a British naval officer who served in both World Wars....
in charge of air operations by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
(FAA). The fighting end of the fleet was referred to as Task Force 37
Task Force 37
Task Force 37 was a US Navy task force active during World War II. Task Force numbers were in constant use, and there were several incarnations of TF 37 during World War II. The British Pacific Fleet was allocated as TF 37 in 1945....
or 57
Task Force 57
Task Force 57 was a US Navy task force active during World War II. Task Force numbers were in constant use, and there were several incarnations of TF 57 during World War II. Land based bombers of the United States Air Force's Seventh Air Force were part of TF 57 during 1943–1944...
and the Fleet Train was Task Force 113. The 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron was the lead carrier formation.
Fleet Logistics
The deployment of the BPF would not be straightforward. The Pacific war environment with its enormous distances and fast paced carrier operations was unfamiliar to the Royal Navy. It was a radically different operating environment requiring warships to remain at sea for extended periods, without ready access to land bases. Britain had previously depended on land bases for replenishment, and had to develop a fleet train to support its efforts at sea, far away from British bases. The technical implications may well have been better appreciated by Admiral King - a naval aviator - than by his British colleagues.The requirement that the BPF be self-sufficient necessitated the establishment of a fleet train that could adequately support an active naval force at sea for weeks or months. The Royal Navy had been used to operating close to its bases in Britain, the Mediterranean or the Indian Ocean, and purpose-built infrastructure and expertise were lacking. Indeed, in the north Atlantic and Mediterranean, the high risks of submarine and air attack would have made routine at-sea refuelling highly dangerous. Fortunately for the BPF "the American logistics authorities... interpreted self-sufficiency in a very liberal sense".
The Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
sent Vice Admiral Charles Daniel
Charles Daniel (Royal Navy officer)
Admiral Sir Charles Saumarez Daniel KCB CBE DSO was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy.-Naval career:...
to the United States for consultation about the supply and administration of the fleet. He then proceeded to Australia where he became Vice Admiral, Administration, British Pacific Fleet, a role that "if unspectacular compared with command of a fighting squadron, was certainly one of the most arduous to be allocated to a British Flag officer during the entire war." The US Pacific Fleet had assembled an enormous fleet of oilers and supply ships of every type. Even before the war, it had been active in the development of underway replenishment
Underway replenishment
Underway replenishment or replenishment at sea is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way.-History:...
techniques. The Admiralty realised that it had a great deal of new capabilities to develop, in a short time, and with whatever it had to hand. Lacking purpose-built ships, it had to assemble a fleet train from whatever RN, RFA
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
or merchant ships were available. On 8 February 1944 the First Sea Lord
First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service; it was formerly known as First Naval Lord. He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff, and is known by the abbreviations 1SL/CNS...
, Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet
An admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments...
Sir Alan Cunningham
Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope
Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Browne Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope KT, GCB, OM, DSO and two Bars , was a British admiral of the Second World War. Cunningham was widely known by his nickname, "ABC"....
, informed the Defence Committee that 91 ships would be required to support the BPF. This was based on an assumption that the BPF would be active off the Philippines, or would have a base there. By March, the war zone had moved north and the Americans were unwilling to allow the British to establish facilities in the Philippines. The estimate had grown to 158 ships, as it was recognised that operations eventually would be fought close to Japan. This had to be balanced against the shipping needed to import food for the civilian population of the UK. In January 1945, the War cabinet was forced to postpone the deployment of the fleet by two months due to the shortage of shipping.
The BPF found that its tankers were too few in number, too slow, and in some cases unsuitable for the task of replenishment at sea. Its oiling gear, hoses, and fittings were too often poorly designed. British ships refuelled at sea mostly by the over-the-stern method, a safer but less efficient technique compared with the American method of refuelling alongside. Lack of proper equipment and insufficient practice meant burst hoses or excessive time at risk to submarine attack while holding a constant course during fuelling. Moreover, as the Royal Australian Navy had already discovered, British built ships had only about a third of the refrigeration space of a comparable American ship. British ships therefore required replenishment more frequently than American ships. In some cases even American-built equipment was not interchangeable, for FAA aircraft had been "Anglicized" by the installation of British radios and oxygen masks, while British Corsairs
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
had their wing-folding arrangements modified in order to fit into the more cramped hangars of British carriers. Replacement aircraft therefore had to be brought from the UK.
The British Chiefs of Staff decided early on to base the BPF in Australia rather than India, where there was famine
Bengal famine of 1943
The Bengal famine of 1943 struck the Bengal. Province of pre-partition India. Estimates are that between 1.5 and 4 million people died of starvation, malnutrition and disease, out of Bengal’s 60.3 million population, half of them dying from disease after food became available in December 1943 As...
and unrest
Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement , or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. Gandhi hoped to bring the British government to the negotiating table...
over British colonial rule
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. While it was apparent that Australia, with its population of only about seven million could not support the projected 675,000 men and women of the BPF, the actual extent of the Australian contribution was undetermined.The Australian government agreed to contribute to the support of the BPF, but the Australian economy was fully committed to the war effort, and manpower and stores for the BPF could only come from taking them from American and Australian forces fighting the Japanese. Unfortunately, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser arrived in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
on 10 December 1944 under the mistaken impression that Australia had asked for the BPF and promised to provide for its needs. Two days later, the Acting Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
Frank Forde
Frank Forde
Francis Michael Forde PC was an Australian politician and the 15th Prime Minister of Australia. He was the shortest serving Prime Minister in Australia's history, being in office for only eight days.-Early life:...
announced the allocation of £21,156,500 for the maintenance of the BPF. In January 1945, General of the Army
General of the Army (United States)
General of the Army is a five-star general officer and is the second highest possible rank in the United States Army. A special rank of General of the Armies, which ranks above General of the Army, does exist but has only been conferred twice in the history of the Army...
Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
agreed to release American stockpiles in Australia to support the BPF. The Australian government soon became concerned at the voracious demands of the BPF works program, which was criticised by Australian military leaders. In April 1945, Fraser publicly criticised the Australian government's handling of waterside industrial disputes that were holding up British ships. The government was shocked and angered, but agreed to allocate £6,562,500 for BPF naval works. Fraser was not satisfied. On 8 August 1945 Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
felt obliged to express his regret for the misunderstandings to the Australian government.
The distance from Sydney was too far to allow efficient fleet support, so, with much American support, a forward base was established at Manus
Manus Island
Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea and is the largest island of the Admiralty Islands. It is the fifth largest island in Papua New Guinea with an area of 2,100 km², measuring around 100 km × 30 km. According to the 2000 census, Manus Island had a...
atoll, in the Admiralty Islands
Admiralty Islands
The Admiralty Islands are a group of eighteen islands in the Bismarck Archipelago, to the north of New Guinea in the south Pacific Ocean. These are also sometimes called the Manus Islands, after the largest island. These rainforest-covered islands form part of Manus Province, the smallest and...
, which was described as "Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow
right|thumb|Scapa Flow viewed from its eastern endScapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. It is about...
with bloody palm trees."
As well as its base at Sydney, the Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
established Mobile Naval Air Bases
Mobile Naval Air Bases
Mobile Operational Naval Air Bases were a series of mobile units first formed in 1944 to provide logistical support to the Fleet Air Arm aircraft of the Royal Navy's British Pacific Fleet towards the end of World War II....
(MONABs) in Australia to provide technical and logistic support for the aircraft. The first of these became active in Sydney in January 1945.
Active service
Operation Meridian
During World War II, Operation Meridian was a series of British air attacks conducted on 24 January and 29 January 1945 on Japanese-held oil refineries at Palembang, on Sumatra...
, air strikes in January 1945 against oil production at Palembang
Palembang
Palembang is the capital city of the South Sumatra province in Indonesia. Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, and has a history of being a capital of a maritime empire. Located on the Musi River banks on the east coast of southern Sumatra island, it has an area of 400.61 square...
, Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
. These raids, conducted in bad weather, succeeded in reducing the oil supply of the Japanese Navy. A total of 48 FAA aircraft was lost due to enemy action and crash landings; they claimed 30 Japanese planes destroyed in dogfights and 38 on the ground.
The United States Navy (USN), which had control of Allied operations in the Pacific Ocean Areas, gave the BPF combat units the designation of Task Force 57 (TF-57) when it joined Admiral Raymond Spruance's United States Fifth Fleet on 15 March 1945. On 27 May 1945, it became Task Force 37 (TF-37) when it became part of Admiral William Halsey's United States Third Fleet.
In March 1945, while supporting the invasion of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
, the BPF had sole responsibility for operations in the Sakishima Islands
Sakishima Islands
The are an island chain located at the southernmost end of the Japanese Archipelago. They are part of the Nansei Islands and include the Miyako Islands and the Yaeyama Islands...
. Its role was to suppress Japanese air activity, using gunfire and air attack, at potential Kamikaze staging airfields that would otherwise be a threat to U.S. Navy vessels operating at Okinawa. The carriers were subject to heavy and repeated kamikaze
Kamikaze
The were suicide attacks by military aviators from the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, designed to destroy as many warships as possible....
attacks, but because of their armoured flight decks, the British aircraft carriers proved highly resistant (unlike their U.S. counterparts), and returned to action relatively quickly. The U.S.N liaison officer on the Indefatigable commented: "When a kamikaze hits a U.S. carrier it means 6 months of repair at Pearl [Harbor]. When a kamikaze hits a Limey carrier it’s just a case of "Sweepers, man your brooms."” (Subsequent studies, however, showed that serious damage had occurred to the ships' structure and post-war modernisation was uneconomic. .
)
Fleet Air Arm Supermarine Seafire
Supermarine Seafire
The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:...
s saw service in the Pacific campaigns. Due to their good high altitude performance and lack of ordnance-carrying capabilities (compared to the Hellcats and Corsairs of the Fleet) the Seafires were allocated the vital defensive duties of Combat Air Patrol
Combat air patrol
Combat air patrol is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft.A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile...
(CAP) over the fleet. Seafires were thus heavily involved in countering the Kamikaze
Kamikaze
The were suicide attacks by military aviators from the Empire of Japan against Allied naval vessels in the closing stages of the Pacific campaign of World War II, designed to destroy as many warships as possible....
attacks during the Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which lie south of the Ogasawara Islands and together with them form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The island is located south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
landings and beyond. The Seafires' best day was 15 August 1945, shooting down eight attacking aircraft for a single loss.
In April 1945, the British 4th Submarine Flotilla was transferred to the major Allied submarine base
Submarine base
A submarine base is a military base that shelters submarines and their personnel.Examples of present-day submarine bases include HMNB Clyde, Île Longue , Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Naval Submarine Base New London, and Rybachiy Nuclear Submarine Base .The Israeli navy bases its growing submarine...
at Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
, as part of BPF. Its most notable success in this period was the sinking of the heavy cruiser Ashigara
Japanese cruiser Ashigara
Ashigara was a Myōkō class heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The other ships of her class were Myōkō , Nachi , and Haguro...
, on 8 June 1945 in Banka Strait, off Sumatra, by HMS Trenchant
HMS Trenchant
Three vessels of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Trenchant:* Trenchant , a 1,085 ton modified 'R' class destroyer* Trenchant , a 'T' class diesel submarine...
and HMS Stygian
HMS Stygian (P249)
HMS Stygian was a S-class submarine of the British Royal Navy, and the only ship so far to bear the name. The ship is listed as being a member of the fourth group, although she had the external stern torpedo tube fitted as in the third group.After an eventful career in the Pacific during the...
. On 31 July 1945, in Operation Struggle, the British midget submarine
Midget submarine
A midget submarine is any submarine under 150 tons, typically operated by a crew of one or two but sometimes up to 6 or 8, with little or no on-board living accommodation...
XE3
XE class submarine
Six XE-class midget submarines were built for the Royal Navy during 1944. They were an improved version of the X Class midgets used in the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz....
, crewed by Lieutenant Ian Fraser
Ian Edward Fraser
Ian Edward Fraser, VC, DSC, RD and Bar, JP , was an English diving pioneer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Fraser was born in Ealing, London and went to school...
, Acting Leading Seaman
Leading Seaman
Leading seaman is a junior non-commissioned rank or rate in navies, particularly those of the Commonwealth. When it is used by NATO nations, leading seaman has the rank code of OR-4. It is often equivalent to the army and air force rank of corporal and some navies use corporal rather than...
James Magennis
James Joseph Magennis
James Joseph Magennis VC was a Belfast-born recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-lieutenant is a military rank. It is normally a junior officer rank.In many navies, a sub-lieutenant is a naval commissioned or subordinate officer, ranking below a lieutenant. In the Royal Navy the rank of sub-lieutenant is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant in the British Army and of...
William James Lanyon Smith, RNZNVR, and Engine Room Artificer Third Class, Charles Alfred Reed, attacked Japanese shipping at Singapore. They sank the heavy cruiser Takao
Japanese cruiser Takao
was the first of four Takao-class heavy cruisers, designed to be an improvement over the previous Myōkō-class design. The Myōkō had proved to be unstable and required modifications, which were incorporated into the Takao design....
, which settled to the bottom at its berth. Fraser and Magennis were both awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, Smith received the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(DSO) and Reed the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was, until 1993, a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Armed Forces and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy at sea...
(CGM).
Battleships and aircraft from the fleet also attacked the Japanese home islands. The battleship King George V
HMS King George V (41)
HMS King George V was the lead ship of the five British King George V-class battleships of the Royal Navy. Laid down in 1937 and commissioned in 1940, King George V operated during the Second World War as part of the British Home and Pacific Fleets...
bombarded naval installations
Allied naval bombardments of Japan during World War II
During the last weeks of World War II, warships of the United States Navy, Britain's Royal Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy bombarded several cities and industrial facilities in Japan. These bombardments caused heavy damage to several of the factories targeted, as well as nearby civilian areas...
at Hamamatsu, near Tokyo; the last time a British battleship fired in action. Meanwhile, carrier strikes were carried out against land and harbour targets including, notably, the disabling of a Japanese escort carrier by British naval aircraft. Although, during the assaults on Japan, the British commanders had accepted that the BPF should become a component element of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, the U.S. fleet commander, William Halsey, excluded British forces from a raid on Kure naval base
Bombing of Kure (July 1945)
The bombing of Kure and surrounding areas by United States and British naval aircraft in late July 1945 led to the sinking of most of the surviving large warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy . The United States Third Fleet's attacks on Kure Naval Arsenal and nearby ports on 24, 25, and 28 July...
on political grounds. Halsey later wrote, in his memoirs: "it was imperative that we forestall a possible postwar claim by Britain that she had delivered even a part of the final blow that demolished the Japanese fleet.... an exclusively American attack was therefore in American interests."
The BPF would have played a major part in a proposed invasion of the Japanese home islands, known as Operation Downfall
Operation Downfall
Operation Downfall was the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. The operation had two parts: Operation...
, which was cancelled after Japan surrendered. The last naval air action in World War II was on VJ-Day when British carrier aircraft shot down Japanese Zero fighters.
Lt Robert Hampton Gray
Robert Hampton Gray
Robert Hampton "Hammy" Gray VC, DSC was a Canadian naval officer, pilot, and recipient of the Victoria Cross during World War II, one of only two members of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to have been thus decorated in that war.Gray was born in Trail, British Columbia, Canada, but resided in...
, a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
naval airman who piloted a Vought Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
with 1841 Naval Air Squadron on HMS Formidable
HMS Formidable (R67)
HMS Formidable was an Illustrious class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy during World War II. She was constructed by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, and launched on 17 August 1939...
, was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, following his death in an attack on a Japanese destroyer at Onagawa Wan, Japan, on August 9, 1945.
Fighter squadrons from the fleet claimed a total of 112.5 Japanese aircraft shot down. 1844 Squadron NAS (flying Hellcats
F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F resembled the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big...
) was the top-scoring squadron, with 28 claims.
Allied co-operation
The conflicting British and American political objectives have been mentioned: Britain needed to "show the flag" in an effective way while the U.S. wished to demonstrate, beyond question, its own pre-eminence in the Pacific. In practice, there were cordial relations between the fighting fleets and their sea commanders. Although Admiral King had stipulated that the BPF should be wholly self-sufficient, in practice, material assistance was freely given: American officers told Rear Admiral Douglas FisherDouglas Fisher (Royal Navy officer)
Admiral Sir Douglas Blake Fisher KCB KBE was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Fourth Sea Lord.-Naval career:...
, commander of the British Fleet Train, that he could have anything and everything “that could be given without Admiral King’s knowledge.”
Post-war
British Commonwealth Occupation Force
The British Commonwealth Occupation Force , was the name of the joint Australian, Canadian, British, Indian and New Zealand military forces in occupied Japan, from 21 February 1946 until the end of occupation in 1952...
in Japan.
The effort made by Britain and its Commonwealth partners in the final stages of the Pacific war did manage to repair British prestige and influence in this region which it had been forced to neglect while concentrating on the war in Europe.
Order of battle
The fleet included 17 aircraft carriers (with 300 aircraft), four battleships, 10 cruisers, 40 destroyers, 18 sloops, 13 frigates, 35 minesweeperMinesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
s, other kinds of fighting ships, and many support vessels.
Aircraft carriers
- HMS Colossus: 24 CorsairF4U CorsairThe Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
s, 18 BarracudaFairey BarracudaThe Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo- and dive bomber used during the Second World War, the first of its type used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to be fabricated entirely from metal. It was introduced as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore biplanes...
s - HMS FormidableHMS Formidable (R67)HMS Formidable was an Illustrious class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy during World War II. She was constructed by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, and launched on 17 August 1939...
: approximate airgroup 36 Corsairs, 15 AvengerTBF AvengerThe Grumman TBF Avenger was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air or naval arms around the world....
s - HMS GloryHMS Glory (R62)HMS Glory was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy laid down on 8 November 1942 by Stephens at Govan. She was launched on 27 November 1943 by Lady Cynthia Brookes, wife of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland...
: 21 Corsairs, 18 Barracudas - HMS IllustriousHMS Illustrious (R87)HMS Illustrious , the fourth Illustrious of the British Royal Navy, was an aircraft carrier which saw service in World War II, the lead ship of the Illustrious-class of carriers which also included Victorious, Formidable, and Indomitable.-Construction:Illustrious was built by Vickers-Armstrongs at...
: approximate airgroup 36 Corsairs, 15 Avengers - HMS ImplacableHMS Implacable (R86)HMS Implacable was an Implacable-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy.- History :She was laid down at Fairfields Shipyard on Clydeside three months after her sister-ship Indefatigable and was clearly destined for the British Pacific Fleet once worked up...
: 48 SeafireSupermarine SeafireThe Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:...
, 21 Avenger, 12 FireflyFairey FireflyThe Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm .... - HMS IndefatigableHMS Indefatigable (R10)HMS Indefatigable was an Implacable-class aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy. Indefatigable was present at the formal surrender of the Japanese on 2 September in Tokyo Bay. She later helped to repatriate Allied POWs held in Japan and was used as a spotting ship for later US nuclear tests in...
: 40 Seafire, 18 Avenger, 12 Firefly - HMS IndomitableHMS Indomitable (R92)HMS Indomitable was a modified Illustrious class aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy. The Illustrious class came about due to the 1937 Naval Programme...
: 39 HellcatF6F HellcatThe Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F resembled the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big...
s, 21 Avengers - HMS VenerableHMS Venerable (R63)HMS Venerable was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy. She served for only the last few months of World War II, and in 1948 she was sold to the Netherlands and renamed HNLMS Karel Doorman and taking part in the military clash in 1962 in Western New Guinea...
: 21 Corsairs, 18 Barracudas - HMS VengeanceHMS Vengeance (R71)HMS Vengeance was a Colossus class light aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy during World War II. The carrier served in three navies during her career: the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy , and the Brazilian Navy .Constructed during World War II, Vengeance was...
: 24 Corsairs, 18 Barracudas - HMS VictoriousHMS Victorious (R38)HMS Victorious was the second Illustrious-class aircraft carrier ordered under the 1936 Naval Programme. She was laid down at the Vickers-Armstrong shipyard at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1937 and launched two years later in 1939...
: 36 Corsairs, 15 Avengers, plus WalrusSupermarine WalrusThe Supermarine Walrus was a British single-engine amphibious biplane reconnaissance aircraft designed by R. J. Mitchell and operated by the Fleet Air Arm . It also served with the Royal Air Force , Royal Australian Air Force , Royal Canadian Air Force , Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal New...
amphibian - HMS PioneerHMS Pioneer (R76)HMS Pioneer was a Colossus-class aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy during World War II. She was modified whilst under construction into an aircraft maintenance carrier. The ship arrived in Australia in mid-1945 to support operations by the British Pacific Fleet against Japanese forces...
maintenance carrier for aircraft repair - HMS UnicornHMS Unicorn (I72)HMS Unicorn was a aircraft repair ship and light aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy in the late 1930s. She was completed during World War II and provided air cover over the amphibious landing at Salerno, Italy in September 1943. The ship was transferred to the Eastern Fleet in the Indian...
maintenance carrier for aircraft repair
Escort Carriers
- HMS ArbiterHMS Arbiter (D31)The USS St. Simon , an escort aircraft carrier originally classified as an auxiliary aircraft carrier, was laid down on 26 April 1943 at Tacoma, Washington, by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, under a Maritime Commission contract ; reclassified as an escort aircraft carrier, CVE-51, on...
- HMS ChaserHMS Chaser (D32)The USS Breton was an Attacker-class escort aircraft carrier that served during World War II....
- HMS FencerHMS Fencer (D64)USS Croatan was transferred to the United Kingdom on 27 February 1943 under lend-lease where she served as HMS Fencer ...
- HMS RulerHMS Ruler (D72)HMS Ruler was an escort aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy during World War II. Built in the United States as St. Joseph for lend-lease to the UK, it was a Bogue-class carrier....
- HMS ReaperHMS Reaper (D82)The USS Winjah was a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, leased to the Royal Navy during World War II....
- HMS SlingerHMS Slinger (D26)The USS Chatham was built at the Seattle-Tacoma S/Y, Hull #27, Seattle WA and transferred to the United Kingdom 11 August 1943 under lend-lease and renamed HMS Slinger . Outfitted by the British as a transport carrier, the ship was mined on 5 February 1944 but returned to service, 17 October...
- HMS SpeakerHMS Speaker (D90)HMS Speaker , a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier, based on a "C3" hull, was originally the USS Delgada which was transferred to the United Kingdom under the Lend-Lease program.-Design and description:...
- HMS StrikerHMS Striker (D12)The name Prince William was assigned to MC hull 198, a converted C3 laid down by the Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California, 15 December 1941....
- HMS VindexHMS Vindex (D15)HMS Vindex was a of the Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War. She was built at Swan Hunter shipyards in Newcastle upon Tyne...
Battleships
- HMS Howe
- HMS King George VHMS King George V (41)HMS King George V was the lead ship of the five British King George V-class battleships of the Royal Navy. Laid down in 1937 and commissioned in 1940, King George V operated during the Second World War as part of the British Home and Pacific Fleets...
- HMS Duke of YorkHMS Duke of York (17)HMS Duke of York was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy. Laid down in May 1937, the ship was constructed by John Brown and Company at Clydebank, Scotland, and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 4 November 1941, subsequently seeing service during the Second World War.In...
arrived in July 1945 - HMS Anson arrived in July 1945
Cruisers
- HMNZS AchillesHMNZS Achilles (70)HMNZS Achilles was a Leander class light cruiser which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy in World War II. She became famous for her part in the Battle of the River Plate, alongside HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter....
- HMS ArgonautHMS Argonaut (61)HMS Argonaut was a Dido class cruiser-References:***...
- HMS BelfastHMS Belfast (C35)HMS Belfast is a museum ship, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, permanently moored in London on the River Thames and operated by the Imperial War Museum....
- HMS BermudaHMS Bermuda (C52)HMS Bermuda was a Crown Colony-class light cruiser of the British Royal Navy. She was completed during World War II and served in that conflict...
- HMS Black PrinceHMS Black Prince (81)HMS Black Prince was a Dido-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, of the Bellona subgroup. The cruiser was commissioned in 1943, and served during World War II on the Arctic convoys, during the Normandy landings, and as part of the British Pacific Fleet. In 1946, the cruiser was loaned to the...
- HMS EuryalusHMS Euryalus (42)HMS Euryalus was a Dido-class cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was built at Chatham Dockyard UK), with the keel being laid down on 21 October 1937. She was launched on 6 June 1939, and commissioned 30 June 1941. Euryalus was the last cruiser that Chatham Dockyard built.-Mediterranean Service:-Second...
- HMNZS GambiaHMS Gambia (C48)HMS Gambia was a Crown Colony-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was in the service of the Royal New Zealand Navy as HMNZS Gambia from 1943 to 1946...
- HMS NewfoundlandHMS Newfoundland (C59)HMS Newfoundland was a Crown Colony-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. Named after Newfoundland, she fought in the Second World War and was later sold to the Peruvian Navy.-Early career:...
- HMCS OntarioHMCS Ontario (C53)HMCS Ontario was a Minotaur class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy as HMS Minotaur , but transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy on completion and renamed Ontario....
- HMS SwiftsureHMS Swiftsure (08)HMS Swiftsure was a Minotaur-class light cruiser of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 22 September 1941, launched on 4 February 1943 by Lady Wake-Walker and commissioned on 22 June 1944....
- HMCS Uganda
Cruiser-Minelayers
- HMS ApolloHMS Apollo (M01)HMS Apollo was an of the British Royal Navy, the eighth RN ship to carry the name. She served with the Home Fleet during World War II, taking part in the Normandy Landings before being transferred to the British Pacific Fleet...
- HMS AriadneHMS Ariadne (M65)HMS Ariadne was an Abdiel-class minelayer of the Royal Navy. She was built by Alexander Stephen and Sons of Glasgow, Scotland. She was laid down on 10 October 1941, launched on 5 April 1943 and commissioned on 12 February 1944....
- HMS ManxmanHMS Manxman (M70)HMS Manxman was an Abdiel class minelayer.-Second World War:Commissioned on 7 June 1941, her first mission was the delivery of mines to Murmansk. Manxman then transferred to the Mediterranean, where she was employed on relief runs to Malta...
AA Escort
- HMCS Prince Robert
Destroyers
- HMCS AlgonquinHMCS Algonquin (R17)HMCS Algonquin was a V-Class World War II destroyer, laid down for the Royal Navy as HMS Valentine and transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy on completion....
- HMS BarfleurHMS Barfleur (D80)HMS Barfleur was a Battle-class destroyer of the Royal Navy . She was named after the Battle of Barfleur, which involved an Anglo-Dutch Fleet against the French in 1692....
- HMS GrenvilleHMS Grenville (R97)HMS Grenville, pennant number R97, was the second ship of this name to serve with the Royal Navy in World War II. HMS Grenville and seven other U class destroyers were ordered as part of the Emergency Programme...
- HMS KempenfeltHMS Kempenfelt (R03)HMS Kempenfelt was a W-class destroyer flotilla leader of the Royal Navy that served in the Second World War. She was the second destroyer of her name to have served in the war; the first Kempenfelt was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in October 1939 and renamed HMCS...
- HMAS NapierHMAS Napier (G97)HMAS Napier was an N class destroyer serving in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. Built During 1939 and 1940, the destroyer was commissioned into the RAN, although she was ordered and owned by the British government...
- HMAS NepalHMAS Nepal (G25)HMAS Nepal was an N class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Launched in 1941 as Noreseman, the ship suffered significant damage during an air raid on the John I. Thornycroft and Company shipyard, and during repairs was renamed to recognise Nepal's contribution to the British war effort...
- HMAS NizamHMAS Nizam (G38)HMAS Nizam was an N class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . The destroyer, named after Sir Osman Ali Khan, The Last Nizam of Hyderabad, was commissioned into the RAN in 1940, although the ship remained the property of the Royal Navy for her entire career.Nizam spent the early part of her...
- HMAS NormanHMAS Norman (G49)HMAS Norman was an N class operated by the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. Entering service in 1941, the ship was on loan from the Royal Navy....
- HMS Quadrant
- HMS QualityHMS Quality (G62)HMS Quality was a Q class destroyer built for the Royal Navy. Entering service in 1942, the destroyer served in several theatres of World War II. Following the war's conclusion, the ship was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy , commissioning as HMAS Quality in late 1945...
- HMAS Queenborough
- HMAS QuiberonHMAS Quiberon (G81)HMAS Quiberon was a Q class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Although built for the Royal Navy and remaining British property until 1950, Quiberon was one of two Q class destroyers commissioned into the RAN during World War II...
- HMAS QuickmatchHMAS Quickmatch (G92)HMAS Quickmatch , named for the quick-match, a fast burning match used for lighting cannon, was a Q class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy . Although commissioned into the RAN in 1942, the ship was initially the property of the Royal Navy. Quickmatch served with both the British...
- HMS TeazerHMS Teazer (R23)HMS Teazer was a T-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted to a Type 16 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F23....
- HMS TenaciousHMS Tenacious (R45)HMS Tenacious was a T-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War. She was built by Cammell Laird, of Birkenhead and launched on 24 March 1943. She was later converted to a Type 16 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F44. Tenacious was sold...
- HMS TermagantHMS Termagant (R89)HMS Termagant was a T-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War. She was built by William Denny and Brothers, of Dumbarton and launched on 22 March 1943. She was later converted to a Type 16 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F189....
- HMS TerpsichoreHMS Terpsichore (R33)HMS Terpsichore was a T-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted to a Type 16 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F19....
- HMS TroubridgeHMS Troubridge (R00)HMS Troubridge was an T-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War.In 1943, she was sent to the Mediterranean, where she performed screening duties for major naval units...
- HMS TumultHMS Tumult (R11)HMS Tumult was a T-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted to a Type 16 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F121.-External links:...
- HMS TuscanHMS Tuscan (R56)HMS Tuscan was a T-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. She was later converted to a Type 16 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F156.-External links:...
- HMS TyrianHMS Tyrian (R67)HMS Tyrian was a T-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War. She was later converted to a Type 16 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F67....
- HMS UlsterHMS Ulster (R83)HMS Ulster was a U-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F83.-Notes:...
- HMS UlyssesHMS Ulysses (R69)HMS Ulysses was an U-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F17....
- HMS UndauntedHMS Undaunted (R53)HMS Undaunted was an U-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F53.-Operations against the Tirpitz:...
- HMS UndineHMS Undine (R42)HMS Undine was a U-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F141....
- HMS UraniaHMS Urania (R05)HMS Urania was a U-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II.She was converted into a reserve fleet accomodation ship in in 1949, and was based at Devonport. She was then converted again into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with her pennant number changed...
- HMS UrchinHMS Urchin (R99)HMS Urchin was a U-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F196. She served off Iceland during the 'Cod wars' in 1959....
- HMS UrsaHMS Ursa (R22)HMS Ursa was a U-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F200.In September 1955 at Chatham dockyard...
- HMS Wager
- HMS Wakeful
- HMS WessexHMS Wessex (R78)HMS Wessex was a W-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was to have been named HMS Zenith but was renamed in January 1943 before launching...
- HMS WhelpHMS Whelp (R37)HMS Whelp was a W-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that was ordered and launched during the Second World War. After completing trials in home waters, she joined the 27th Destroyer Flotilla, which was sent to the Far East via the Mediterranean...
- HMS WhirlwindHMS Whirlwind (R87)The second HMS Whirlwind was an W-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II and the Cold War.Whirlwind was built by Hawthorn Leslie and was launched on 30 August 1943...
- HMS WizardHMS Wizard (R72)HMS Wizard was a W-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F72....
- HMS WranglerHMS Wrangler (R48)HMS Wrangler was an W-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F157....
Frigates
- HMS Aire
- HMS Avon
- HMS Barle
- HMS Bigbury BayHMS Bigbury Bay (K606)HMS Bigbury Bay was a Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy, named for Bigbury Bay in Devon.The ship was originally ordered on 19 January 1943 as a to be named Loch Carloway, but the order was changed before construction began...
- HMS Derg
- HMS Findhorn
- HMS Helford
- HMS OdzaniHMS Odzani (K356)HMS Odzani was a River class frigate that served in the Royal Navy....
- HMS Parret
- HMS PlymHMS Plym (K271)HMS Plym was a River class frigate that served in the Royal Navy between 1943 and 1952.-Construction:Plym was built to the Royal Navy's specifications as a Group II River class frigate...
- HMS Usk
- HMS Veryan BayHMS Veryan Bay (K651)HMS Veryan Bay was a anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy, named after a bay on the south coast of Cornwall. In commission from 1945 until 1957, she saw service in the Pacific, Mediterranean, Home, West Indies and South Atlantic Fleets.-Construction:The ship was ordered from Charles...
- HMS Whitesand BayHMS Whitesand Bay (K633)HMS Whitesand Bay was a Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy, named for Whitesand Bay in Cornwall. In commission from 1945 to 1954, she served in the Pacific, Mediterranean, West Indies and Far East Fleets, seeing active service in the Korean War.-Construction:The ship was...
- HMS Widemouth BayHMS Widemouth Bay (K615)HMS Widemouth Bay was a Bay-class anti-aircraft frigate of the British Royal Navy, named for Widemouth Bay in Cornwall.The ship was ordered from Harland and Wolff at Belfast on 2 February 1943 as a to be named Loch Frisa and laid down on 26 April 1944 as Admiralty Job Number J3917...
Sloops
- HMS Alacrity
- HMS AmethystHMS Amethyst (U16)HMS Amethyst was a Modified Black Swan-class sloop of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Alexander Stephens and Sons of Linthouse, Govan Scotland on 25 March 1942, launched on 7 May 1943 and commissioned on 2 November 1943, with the pennant number U16...
- HMS Black SwanHMS Black Swan (L57)HMS Black Swan , named after the Black Swan, was the name ship of the Black Swan-class of sloops of the British Royal Navy. This class was admired for its sea-going qualities...
- HMS Crane
- HMS Cygnet
- HMS Enchantress
- HMS ErneHMS Erne (U03)HMS Erne was a Black Swan-class sloop laid down by Furness Shipbuilding at Barrow-in-Furness on 21 September 1939, launched on 5 August 1940 and commissioned on 3 April 1941....
- HMS Flamingo
- HMS Hart
- HMS Hind
- HMS Opossum,
- HMS PheasantHMS Pheasant (U49)HMS Pheasant was a Modified Black Swan-class sloop of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by Yarrow Shipbuilders, Scotstoun, Glasgow on 13 July 1942, launched on 21 December 1942, and commissioned on 12 May 1943....
- HMS Redpole
- HMS StarlingHMS Starling (U66)HMS Starling was a Modified Black Swan-class sloop of the Royal Navy. She was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company at Govan, Scotland, launched on 14 October 1942, and commissioned on 1 April 1943....
- HMS Stork
- HMS WhimbrelHMS Whimbrel (U29)HMS Whimbrel is the last surviving Royal Navy warship present at the Japanese Surrender in World War II. She was a sloop of the Black Swan class, laid down on 31 October 1941 to the pennant of U29 at the famed yards of Yarrow Shipbuilders, Scotstoun, Glasgow.Launched on 25 August 1942 almost nine...
- HMS Woodcock
- HMS Wren
Corvettes
- HMNZS Arbutus
- HMAS BallaratHMAS Ballarat (J184)HMAS Ballarat , named for the city of Ballarat, Victoria, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:Ballarat was laid down by HMA Naval...
- HMAS Bendigo
- HMAS BurnieHMAS BurnieHMAS Burnie , named for the port city of Burnie, Tasmania, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .Entering RAN service in April 1941, Burnie saw action...
- HMAS Cairns
- HMAS CessnockHMAS Cessnock (J175)HMAS Cessnock , named for the town of Cessnock, New South Wales, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:Cessnock was laid down by Cockatoo...
- HMAS GawlerHMAS Gawler (J188)HMAS Gawler , named for the town of Gawler, South Australia, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:Gawler was laid down by the Broken Hill...
- HMAS GeraldtonHMAS Geraldton (J178)HMAS Geraldton , named for the city of Geraldton, Western Australia, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:Geraldton was laid down by...
- HMAS GoulburnHMAS GoulburnHMAS Goulburn , named for the city of Goulburn, New South Wales, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy ....
- HMAS Ipswich
- HMAS KalgoorlieHMAS KalgoorlieHMAS Kalgoorlie , named for the city of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:Kalgoorlie was laid down by...
- HMAS LauncestonHMAS Launceston (J179)HMAS Launceston , named for the city of Launceston, Tasmania, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:Launceston was laid down by Evans...
- HMAS Lismore
- HMAS Maryborough
- HMAS Pirie
- HMAS Tamworth
- HMAS ToowoombaHMAS Toowoomba (J157)HMAS Toowoomba , named for the city of Toowoomba, Queensland was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built on Admiralty order but manned by personnel of and later commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy...
- HMAS WhyallaHMAS Whyalla (J153)HMAS Whyalla , named for the city of Whyalla, South Australia was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built on Admiralty order but manned by personnel of and later commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy...
- HMAS WollongongHMAS Wollongong (J172)HMAS Wollongong , named for the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II and one of 20 built for the Admiralty but manned by personnel of and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:Wollongong was laid down by...
Submarines
- HMS PorpoiseHMS Porpoise (N14)HMS Porpoise was one of the six ship class of Grampus-class mine-laying submarine of the Royal Navy. She was built at Vickers Armstrong, Barrow and launched August 30, 1932. She served in World War II in most of the naval theatres of the war, in home waters, the Mediterranean and the far east...
Minelayer - HMS RorqualHMS Rorqual (N74)HMS Rorqual was a British mine-laying submarine, one of the six ship class of Grampus-class of the Royal Navy. She was built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow and launched 27 July 1936. She served in the Second World War in the Mediterranean and in the far east...
Minelayer - HMS SanguineHMS Sanguine (P266)HMS Sanguine was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on February 15, 1945. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Sanguine....
- HMS ScotsmanHMS Scotsman (P243)HMS Scotsman was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Scotts, of Greenock and launched on August 18, 1944....
- HMS Sea DevilHMS Sea Devil (P244)HMS Sea Devil was an S-class submarine of the Royal Navy. She was launched late in the Second World War, on 30 January 1945. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Sea Devil...
- HMS Sea NymphHMS Sea Nymph (P223)HMS Sea Nymph was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on July 29, 1942....
- HMS Sea ScoutHMS Sea Scout (P253)HMS Sea Scout was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on March 24, 1944...
- HMS SeleneHMS Selene (P254)HMS Selene was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird & Co Limited, Birkenhead and launched on 24 April 1944...
- HMS SidonHMS Sidon (P259)HMS Sidon was a submarine of the Royal Navy, launched in September 1944, one of the third group of S-class submarines built by Cammell Laird & Co Limited, Birkenhead...
- HMS SleuthHMS Sleuth (P261)HMS Sleuth was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on July 6, 1944. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Sleuth.-Career:...
- HMS SolentHMS Solent (P262)HMS Solent was an S-class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on 8 June 1944....
- HMS SparkHMS Spark (P236)HMS Spark was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Scotts, of Greenock and launched on December 28, 1943...
- HMS SpearheadHMS Spearhead (P263)HMS Spearhead was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on July 6, 1944. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Spearhead....
- HMS StubbornHMS Stubborn (P238)HMS Stubborn was an S-class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on 11 November 1942...
- HMS StygianHMS Stygian (P249)HMS Stygian was a S-class submarine of the British Royal Navy, and the only ship so far to bear the name. The ship is listed as being a member of the fourth group, although she had the external stern torpedo tube fitted as in the third group.After an eventful career in the Pacific during the...
- HMS SupremeHMS Supreme (P252)HMS Supreme was an S class submarine of the Royal Navy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. She was built by Cammell Laird and launched on February 24, 1944...
- HMS TaciturnHMS Taciturn (P314)HMS Taciturn was a British submarine of the third group of the T class. She was built as P314 by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow and Bellis and Morcom Ltd., and launched on 7 June 1944...
- HMS TapirHMS Tapir (P335)HMS Tapir was a Second World War British T class submarine, built by Vickers-Armstrong in Barrow-in-Furness. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Tapir, after the animal.-As HMS Tapir:...
- HMS TaurusHMS Taurus (P399)HMS Taurus was a Second World War British T class submarine, built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow.-As HMS Taurus:The submarine was laid down on the 30th of September 1941, and launched on 27 June 1942. She served in the Mediterranean and the Pacific Far East during the Second World War...
- HMS Terrapin HMS Terrapin (P323)HMS Terrapin was a British submarine of the third group of the T class. She was built as P323 by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow and Bellis and Morcom Ltd, and launched on 31 August 1943...
- HMS ThoroughHMS Thorough (P324)HMS Thorough was a British submarine of the third group of the T class. She was built as P324 by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow, and launched on 30 October 1943...
- HMS ThuleHMS Thule (P325)HMS Thule was a British submarine of the third group of the T class. She was built as P325 at Devonport Dockyard, and launched on 22 October 1942...
- HMS TiptoeHMS Tiptoe (P332)HMS Tiptoe was a British submarine of the third group of the T class. She was built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow, and launched on 25 February 1944. She was one of two submarines named by Winston Churchill, and so far has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to be named Tiptoe...
- HMS TotemHMS Totem (P352)HMS Totem was a group three T class submarine of the Royal Navy which entered service in the last few months of World War II. To-date, she is the only ship of the Royal Navy to have been named Totem....
- HMS TrenchantHMS Trenchant (P331)HMS Trenchant was a British T class submarine of the Second World War.On completion she was given over to the crew of HMS Thrasher whose submarine was due for a refit.-Service:...
- HMS TrumpHMS Trump (P333)HMS Trump was a British submarine of the third group of the T class. She was built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow, and launched on 25 March 1944. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name Trump. She spent the majority of her life attached to the 4th Submarine division...
- HMS TudorHMS Tudor (P326)HMS Tudor was a British submarine of the third group of the T class. She was built as P326 at Devonport Dockyard, and launched on 23 September 1942...
- HMS TurpinHMS Turpin (P354)HMS Turpin was a group three T Class submarine of the Royal Navy which entered service in the last few months of World War II. So far she has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to be named Turpin...
- HMS Virtue Antisubmarine training
- HMS Voracious Antisubmarine training
- HMS Vox Antisubmarine training
Landing Ships
- HMS Glenearn - Landing Ship, InfantryLanding Ship, InfantryLanding Ship, Infantry was a British term for a type of ship used to transport infantry in amphibious warfare during the Second World War...
(Large) - HMS Lothian - Landing Ship, Headquarters (Large)
Fleet Train
- HMS AdamantHMS Adamant (1940)HMS Adamant was a World War II submarine depot ship.Completed in 1942, she served in the Eastern Fleet with the 4th Submarine Flotilla from April 1943 until April 1945 and then moved with her flotilla to Fremantle, Australia...
Submarine depot ship - HMS Aorangi Accommodation ship
- HMS Artifex Repair ship
- HMS Asistance Repair ship
- RFA BacchusRFA Bacchus (A103)RFA Bacchus was a stores freighter and distilling ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She was the second ship to bear this name.-Service history:Built by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Dundee...
Distilling ship - HMS BonaventureHMS Bonaventure (F139)HMS Bonaventure was a submarine depot ship of the Royal Navy. She was initially built for civilian service with the Clan Line, but on the outbreak of the Second World War she was requisitioned by the Navy and after being launched, was converted for military service.-Construction and...
Submarine depot ship - HMS Berry Head Repair ship
- HMS Deer Sound Repair ship
- HMS DiligenceHMS DiligenceA number of ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Diligence. was a 18-gun brig sloop. She was renamed HMS Diligence before being launched in 1795. was a 17-gun Camelion class sloop laid down in 1861 but cancelled on 12 December 1863. was a destroyer depot ship, formerly the civilian...
Repair ship - HMS Dullisk Cove Repair ship
- RNH Empire Clyde Hospital ship
- HMS Empire Crest Water carrier
- HMS Fernmore Boom carrier
- HMS Flamborough Head Repair ship
- HMS Fort Colville Aircraft store ship
- HMS Fort Langley Aircraft store ship
- RNH Gerusalemme Hospital ship
- HMS GuardianHMS Guardian (1932)HMS Guardian was a World War II-era net laying ship built in 1932 and scrapped in 1962. She was also equipped for target towing and gunnery photography...
Netlayer - HMNZS Kelantan Repair ship
- HMS King Salvor Salvage ship
- HMS Lancashire Accommodation ship
- HMS Leonian Boom carrier
- HMS MaidstoneHMS Maidstone (1937)HMS Maidstone was a submarine depot ship of the Royal Navy.-Facilities:She was built to support the increasing numbers of submarines, especially on distant stations, such as the Mediterranean and the Pacific Far East...
Submarine depot ship - NZHS Maunganui Hospital ship
- HMS MontclareHMS Montclare (F85)Montclare was a passenger ship built by the John Brown and Company on Clydebank for the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company, Montreal. It was later purchased by the Royal Navy during World War II.- RMS Montclare :...
Destroyer Depot Ship - RNH Oxfordshire Hospital ship
- HMS ResourceHMS ResourceThree ships of the Royal Navy and one of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have borne the name Resource: was a 28-gun sixth-rate frigate launched in 1778. She was converted to a 22-gun floating battery in 1804 and renamed Enterprize in 1806. She was sold in 1816. was a yacht launched in 1865 and hired...
Repair ship - HMS Salvestor Salvage ship
- HMS Salvictor Salvage ship
- HMS Shillay DanlayerDanlayerA danlayer was a type of vessel assigned to minesweeping flotillas during and immediately after World War II. They were usually small trawlers, fitted for the purpose of laying dans...
- HMS Springdale Repair ship
- HMS Stagpool Distilling ship
- RNH Tjitalengka Hospital ship
- HMS Trodday Danlayer
- HMS Tyne Destroyer Depot Ship
- HMS Vacport Water carrier
- RNH Vasna Hospital ship
Oilers
- RFA ArndaleRFA Arndale (A133)RFA Arndale was a Dale-class fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, originally one of six ships ordered by the British Tanker Co which were purchased on the stocks by the Admiralty....
- RFA BishopdaleRFA Bishopdale (A128)RFA Bishopdale was a Dale-class fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.She was decommissioned on 8 October 1959 and was laid up at Devonport Dockyard....
- RFA Brown Ranger
- RFA CederdaleRFA Cederdale (A380)RFA Cedardale was a Dale-class fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She was originally one of two ships which were purchased by the Admiralty from the Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co for evaluation purposes. Cedardale was decommissioned on 15 November 1959 and laid up at Hong Kong....
- RFA EaglesdaleRFA Eaglesdale (A104)RFA Eaglesdale was a Dale-class fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary . She was launched in 1941 as Empire Metal and transferred to the RFA on completion in 1941.-History:...
- RFA Green RangerRFA Green Ranger (A152)RFA Green Ranger was a fleet support tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.She was wrecked on the Hartland peninsula, on a large rock, called Gunpath Rock, in November, 1962. She broke her tow from the tug that was taking her to be refitted in Cardiff, and drifted onto the rocks...
- RFA OlnaRFA Olna (A216)RFA Olna was one of two ships built for Shell. She was originally named Hellicina and taken up for Fleet Service soon after building....
- RFA Rapidol
- RFA Serbol
- RFA Wave EmperorRFA Wave EmperorRFA Wave Emperor was a Wave-class oiler of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary built at Haverton Hill by Furness Shipbuilding.-External links:* - website on Oilers by Jeremy Olver....
- RFA Wave Governor
- RFA Wave KingRFA Wave King (A264)RFA Wave King was a Wave-class fleet support tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary built at Govan by Harland & Wolff Ltd. In 1945, she served in the Far East with the Eastern Fleet....
- RFA Wave Monarch
- Aase MaerskMV Aase Maersk (1930)Aase Maersk was a 6,184-ton tanker built at Odense Steel Shipyard, Odense in 1930 for A. P. Moller, Copenhagen. During the Second World War, she was managed by the British Ministry of War Transport, and served with the United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Navy. collided with Aase...
- Carelia
- Darst Creek
- Golden Meadow
- Iere
- Loma Nova
- San Adolpho
- San Amado
- San Ambrosia
- Seven Sisters
Store ships
- Bosporus
- City of Dieppe
- Corinda
- Darvel
- Edna
- Fort Alabama
- Fort Constantine
- Fort Dunvegan
- Fort Edmonton
- Fort Providence
- Fort Wrangell
- Gudrun Maersk
- Hermelin
- Heron
- Hickory Burn
- Hickory Dale
- Hickory Glen
- Hickory Steam
- Jaarstrom
- Kheti
- Kistna
- Kola
- Marudu
- Pacheco
- Prince de Liege
- Princess Maria Pia
- Prome
- Robert Maersk
- San Andres
- Sclesvig
- Thyra S
Source: Smith, Task Force 57, pp. 178–184
Fleet Air Arm Squadrons
(Sources: )(See List of Fleet Air Arm carrier air groups)
| Sqdn no | Aircraft type | Ship | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 801 801 Naval Air Squadron 801 Naval Air Squadron was a Fleet Air Arm squadron of the Royal Navy formed in 1933 which fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Falklands War.- Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Air Force:... |
Seafire L.III Supermarine Seafire The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:... |
Implacable | May 1945 onwards | part of 8th Carrier Air Group |
| 812 812 Naval Air Squadron 812 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the British Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, which was active between 1933 and 1956, and saw service in World War II and the Korean War.-First formation:... |
Barracuda II Fairey Barracuda The Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo- and dive bomber used during the Second World War, the first of its type used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to be fabricated entirely from metal. It was introduced as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore biplanes... |
Vengeance | departed Mediterranean July 1945 | en route to join BPF on VJ-Day |
| 814 814 Naval Air Squadron 814 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was formed in December 1938 and has been disbanded and reformed several times. Its nickname is "the Flying Tigers", not to be confused with the American Volunteer squadron of WWII.... |
Barracuda II Fairey Barracuda The Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo- and dive bomber used during the Second World War, the first of its type used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to be fabricated entirely from metal. It was introduced as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore biplanes... |
Venerable | June 1945 onwards | 15th Carrier Air Group, saw no action |
| 820 820 Naval Air Squadron 820 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron formed in April 1933 with the transferral of the Fairey III aircraft from 405 Flight Royal Air Force to the Fleet Air Arm... |
Avenger I | Indefatigable | embarked November 1944 with 849 squadron, and took part in the | with No 2 Strike Wing for attacks on oil refineries at Palembang Palembang Palembang is the capital city of the South Sumatra province in Indonesia. Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, and has a history of being a capital of a maritime empire. Located on the Musi River banks on the east coast of southern Sumatra island, it has an area of 400.61 square... , Sumatra and Sakashima Gunto islands; from June 1945 with 7th Carrier Air Group for strikes around Tokyo |
| 827 827 Naval Air Squadron 827 Naval Air Squadron was an aircraft squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm during World War II. It operated Fairey Barracudas starting in May 1943, becoming the first squadron to receive Barracudas in any substantial number.... |
Barracuda II Fairey Barracuda The Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo- and dive bomber used during the Second World War, the first of its type used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to be fabricated entirely from metal. It was introduced as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore biplanes... |
Colossus | embarked for BPF January 1945 | operated in the Indian Ocean from June 1945 until VJ-Day (BPF service unclear) |
| 828 828 Naval Air Squadron 828 Naval Air Squadron was a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron formed in September 1940 as a torpedo spotter reconnaissance squadron... |
Barracuda I, II & III Fairey Barracuda The Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo- and dive bomber used during the Second World War, the first of its type used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to be fabricated entirely from metal. It was introduced as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore biplanes... Avenger II |
Implacable | from June 1945 | part of 8th Carrier Air Group, involved in attacks on Truk and Japan |
| 837 | Barracuda II Fairey Barracuda The Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo- and dive bomber used during the Second World War, the first of its type used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to be fabricated entirely from metal. It was introduced as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore biplanes... |
Glory | embarked April 1945 | part of 16th Carrier Air Group but saw no action before VJ-Day; covered Japanese surrender at Rabaul Rabaul Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the... |
| 848 | Avenger I | Formidable | April 1945 onwards | participated in strikes against Sakishima Gunto Island airfields and shore targets and on Formosa Formosa Formosa or Ilha Formosa is a Portuguese historical name for Taiwan , literally meaning, "Beautiful Island". The term may also refer to:-Places:* Formosa Strait, another name for the Taiwan Strait... ; in early June 1945 joined the 2nd Carrier Air Group for strikes on Japan in July |
| 849 | Avenger I & II | Victorious | December 1944 onwards | part of No 2 Naval Strike Wing for raids on Pangkalan Brandon and Palembang oil refineries, Sumatra in January 1945; strikes on the Sakashima Gunto islands and Formosa, strikes in July 1945 Japan, near Tokyo, where an 849 aircraft scored the first bomb hit on the carrier Kaiyo Japanese aircraft carrier Kaiyo was a escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The ship was originally built as the ocean liner Argentina Maru. She was purchased by the IJN on 9 December 1942, converted into an escort carrier, and renamed Kaiyo. The ship was primarily used as an aircraft transport,... |
| 854 854 Naval Air Squadron 854 Naval Air Squadron was first formed on 1 January 1944, at Squantum Naval Air Station in the USA. It was later disbanded in December 1945. It was reformed December 2006 as a helicopter squadron designed for Airborne Surveillance and Control.- History :... |
Avenger I, II & III | Illustrious | December 1944 onwards | participated in strikes on Belawan Deli and Palembang; then took part in attacks on the Sakishima Gunto Islands; in July 1945 joined 3rd Carrier Air Group and saw no further action |
| 857 857 Naval Air Squadron 857 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was first formed on 1 April 1944 at Squantum NAS in the USA as a Torpedo Reconnaissance unit with Avenger IIs. It reformed in its present state on 13 December 2006, when 849 NAS B Flight recommissioned as 857 Naval Air Squadron... |
Avenger I & II | Indomitable | November 1944 onwards | joined in attacks on Belawan Deli, Pangkalan Brandan and Palembang in December 1944 and January 1945; later 2 months continuous attacks on Sakishima Gunto islands and Formosa; no further action before VJ-Day, but subsequently combatted Japanese suicide boats on 31 August and 1 September 1945 near Hong Kong |
| 880 | Seafire L.III Supermarine Seafire The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:... |
Implacable | embarked March 1945 | escorted attacks on Truk island in June 1945; at end June merged into the new 8th Carrier Air Group; joined attacks in Japan |
| 885 | Hellcat I & II | Ruler | embarked December 1944 | provided fighter cover for the Fleet; aircraft reequipped June 1945, but saw no more action before VJ-Day |
| 887 | Seafire F.III & L.III Supermarine Seafire The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:... |
Indefatigable | embarked November 1944 | took part in attack on oil refineries at Palembang, Sumatra in January 1945; strikes on the Sakashima Gunto islands; strikes around Tokyo just before VJ-Day |
| 888 | Hellcat | Indefatigable | until January 1945 | operations over Sumatra, then remained in Ceylon when BPF departed |
| 894 | Seafire L.III Supermarine Seafire The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:... |
Indefatigable | embarked November 1944 | took part in operations against Palembang oil refineries in Sumatra, January 1945; in March and April 1945 attacked targets in the Sakishima Gunto islands, and then attacked the Japanese mainland just prior to VJ-Day. |
| 899 | Seafire L.III Supermarine Seafire The Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:... |
Seafire pool | embarked HMS Chaser HMS Chaser (D32) The USS Breton was an Attacker-class escort aircraft carrier that served during World War II.... February 1945 |
|
| 1770 | Firefly Fairey Firefly The Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm .... |
Indefatigable | ||
| 1771 | Firefly Fairey Firefly The Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm .... |
Implacable | ||
| 1772 | Firefly Fairey Firefly The Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm .... |
Indefatigable | ||
| 1790 | Firefly NF Fairey Firefly The Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm .... |
Vindex | from August 1945 | not in operational area before VJ-Day |
| 1830 | Corsair | Illustrious | ||
| 1831 | Corsair | Glory | ||
| 1833 | Corsair | Illustrious | ||
| 1834 | Corsair | Victorious | ||
| 1836 | Corsair | Victorious | ||
| 1839 | Hellcat | Indomitable | ||
| 1840 | Hellcat | Speaker | ||
| 1841 | Corsair | Formidable | ||
| 1842 | Corsair | Formidable | ||
| 1844 | Hellcat | Indomitable | ||
| 1846 | Corsair | Colossus | ||
| 1850 | Corsair | Vengeance | ||
| 1851 | Corsair | Venerable | ||
External links
- Fleet Air Arm Archive, 2000-01, British Pacific Fleet 1945
- Supplement to the London Gazette of Tuesday, the 1st of June, 1948, "The Contribution of the British Pacific Fleet to the Assault on Okinawa, 1945." (Published June 2, 1948.)
- The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945 (1956), Ch. 24: "With the British Pacific Fleet"
- Ted Bates, 200?, British Pacific Fleet
- The Short but Brilliant Life of the British Pacific Fleet, Nicholase Sarantakes