How Many Aircraft Carriers Did the British Navy Have During World War II?

The British Navy's possession of aircraft carriers during World War II was not a static number but varied depending on the specific timeframe and operational circumstances. To understand the evolution of the British carrier fleet, we need to examine the larger carriers as well as the escort carriers and Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC ships) that supported the convoys and other missions.

Operational Fleet Carriers in 1939

In September 1939, the Royal Navy operated more carriers than any other navy, a significant advantage in the early stages of the war. The force consisted of larger (fleet) carriers and smaller ships, such as escort carriers and MAC ships, which were mainly used for convoy protection and other secondary roles. However, this article focuses on the larger fleet carriers only.

The Seven Fleet Carriers in 1939

At the outset of the war, the Royal Navy had seven operational fleet carriers:

Argus Hermes Eagle Courageous Glorious Furious Arc Royal

Of these, Courageous was the first to be lost in September 1939, followed by Glorious in June 1940, Ark Royal in November 1941, Hermes in April 1942, and Eagle in August 1942.

Construction and Commissioning

In addition to the seven operational carriers, six more were under construction in September 1939:

Illustrious Formidable Victorious Indomitable Unicorn Implacable

By the time of the war's end in August 1945, 14 carriers had been commissioned, including:

Illustrious Formidable Victorious Indomitable Unicorn Implacable Indefatigable Colossus Glory Ocean Venerable Vengeance Gloucester Pioneer

Carrier Decommissioning and Losses

Several carriers were decommissioned or lost during the war. For example, Hermes, Ark Royal, Eagle, and Furious suffered losses, while Glory and Vengeance were commissioned late in the war. It's worth noting that Furious was placed in reserve in September 1944, and thus its count should be reduced by one from that date.

Escort Carriers and MAC Ships

In addition to the fleet carriers, the British Navy also operated 44 escort carriers, mostly conversions of American-built ships, and 19 MAC ships, which were grain carriers or tankers converted to serve as carriers for convoy protection. Despite their primary role in convoy protection, they also operated fleet air arm aircraft and were commanded and crewed by civilians. These ships survived the war and were later converted back into their original merchant ship form.

Conclusion

The number of aircraft carriers in the British Navy during World War II was dynamic and fluctuated based on various circumstances. From the early days of the war with seven operational carriers to the final count of 14 carriers at the war's end, the British Navy's carrier fleet played a crucial role in the conflict. Understanding the evolution of this force is essential for comprehending the strategic and tactical operations during the war.