During World War II, the Royal Navy's use of aircraft carriers marked a significant shift in naval strategy. Aircraft carriers became central to fleet operations, replacing battleships as the dominant naval asset. The number of British aircraft carriers in service at any given time fluctuated due to losses in battle, new constructions, and repairs. By the war's end, the Royal Navy had developed a substantial carrier force that was pivotal in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
Pre-War Fleet and Early Losses
At the outbreak of the war in 1939, the Royal Navy had seven fleet carriers, including:
- HMS Courageous (sunk by U-29 in 1939)
- HMS Glorious (lost to German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in 1940)
- HMS Furious
- HMS Ark Royal (sunk by U-81 in 1941)
- HMS Hermes (lost to Japanese aircraft in 1942)
- HMS Eagle (sunk by U-73 in 1942)
These early losses highlighted the vulnerability of carriers to submarine and air attacks, spurring the Royal Navy to bolster its carrier fleet.
Expansion of Fleet Carriers
To compensate for these losses, Britain launched new fleet carriers, such as the armored Illustrious-class ships. These carriers, including HMS Illustrious, HMS Formidable, and HMS Indomitable, were designed with heavily armored flight decks to withstand air attacks, a feature that distinguished them from American and Japanese carriers.
By 1945, the Royal Navy had commissioned a total of 14 fleet carriers, including later additions like the Implacable-class carriers HMS Implacable and HMS Indefatigable.
Escort Carriers: The Unsung Heroes
Escort carriers were crucial for convoy protection and amphibious operations. Britain fielded 38 escort carriers during the war, many of which were provided by the United States under the Lend-Lease program. These smaller, slower carriers, such as the Attacker-class and Avenger-class, were converted from merchant ships and armed with a modest complement of aircraft.
Escort carriers ensured the safety of vital transatlantic convoys, playing a critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic by combating German U-boats.
Carrier Numbers at Key Points in the War
- 1939: 7 fleet carriers, no escort carriers
- 1942 (Mid-War): 6 fleet carriers and 10–15 escort carriers
- 1945 (End of War): 12 fleet carriers and 30+ escort carriers
The steady growth in carrier numbers reflected Britain’s commitment to maintaining naval superiority despite the immense pressures of war.
Contributions to Major Campaigns
British aircraft carriers were involved in numerous pivotal campaigns:
- In the Mediterranean, fleet carriers supported operations such as the Siege of Malta and the invasions of Sicily and Italy.
- In the Pacific, British carriers joined the U.S. Navy to challenge Japanese forces, particularly during the Okinawa campaign.
- Escort carriers played a vital role in the Atlantic, safeguarding convoys and aiding in the eventual defeat of Germany’s U-boat threat.