G e n e r a l    I n f o r m a t i o n

 

One of the earliest lessons learnt in the first year of the Battle of the Atlantic was the need for continuous air cover of convoys. As no shore based aircraft were available, submarines were able to approach convoys in daylight without the need to submerge until about to attack ships. Once enemy aircraft were able to operate from French bases the convoys made easy targets without any fighter defence unless near to UK coasts.

 

In April 1941 four naval auxiliaries were fitted with a catapult which enabled a fighter aircraft to be launched for defence of convoys being attacked by enemy fighter bombers. These vessels were known as Catapult Armed Merchant Ships (CAM Ships). Their greatest disadvantage was that the aircraft could not be recovered and the pilot had to rely on being rescued by one of the ships in convoy. To overcome this disadvantage it was decided to fit a flight deck on a merchant ship so that aircraft could both take off and land. The first ship to be converted was an Ex German freighter (HANNOVER) taken as Prize in 1940 and renamed EMPIRE AUDACITY. She was then commissioned as HMS AUDACITY and had a gallant and successful, but brief, career before being torpedoed in 1941 during defence of Convoy HG76 in December 1941. As a result it was decided to similarly convert 10 Bulk Carriers being built in UK shipyards and 9 oil tankers already in service. These Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC ships) performed a dual role as The number of aircraft carried was however limited to four.

 

The MAC ships were an interim solution and their introduction into use during 1943 enabled a larger aircraft carrier to be built which could operate 15 aircraft and therefore provide far better convoy defence. The first 4 of these Escort Carriers (CVE) were built in UK shipyards followed by over 40 constructed in the USA.

 

It should be noted that all these types, whether CAM ship, MAC or CVE were intended for use in the defence of convoys. However, when more CVE's became available and after May 1945, some CVE's were deployed in the Mediterranean for defence of Fleet units as well as for support of operations in Burma and the Pacific.

 

Light Fleet Aircraft Carriers ("COLOSSUS" Class) included HMS VENGEANCE built by Swan Hunter. They were smaller than the earlier Fleet Aircraft Carriers of the ILLUSTRIOUS-Class and carried fewer aircraft. However they were fitted with all the necessary equipment  needed to carry out air operations with the Fleet.

 

 

Nominal List of Escort Aircraft Carriers

 

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