Themes

Article Highlights

• Introduction

• Vulnerability of aircraft carriers

• Converting merchant ships

• New escort carriers

New escort carriers

HMS Audacity was commissioned in June 1941 as a conversion of the German cargo ship Hannover. Although it could only embark 6 aircraft due to a lack of a hangar, it did provide much needed air cover against submarine and air force attacks. HMS Audacity only lasted three operations but did prove itself well and further escort carriers were ordered from American shipyards.

Although there were some extra delays to make the ships ready for the Royal Navy by June 1943 4 escort carriers were operating in the Atlantic. Even though a small amount these effective assets did create a change in U-Boat tactics and drove them to the less patrolled areas of the South Atlantic. The 4 Avenger Class escort carriers came in to service between March and July 1942. Later came the Attacker and Ruler Class escorts. There were some British built escort carriers; one example was HMS Activity, built with a steel flight deck. The majority of Escort carriers built, especially in the middle of the War were American as part of the Lend/ Lease agreement.