HMS NABOB taken from HMS PUNCHER at Vancouver while both escort carriers were completing in February 1943. PUNCHER (foreground) is in the builders hands, just starting conversion to RN standards, while NABOB is undergoing acceptance trials. Both escort aircraft carriers are manned by Royal Canadian Navy ship’s company’s and are considered to be the RCN’s […]
HMSub SEAWOLF (N47) and HMSub P553
HMSub SEAWOLF (N47) and HMSub P553 in 1943 alongside HMCS ELK at Digby, NS. Both RN submarines were used to train RCN escort ships in Anti-Submarine Warfare. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Austin Chater, RCNVR/RCNR. (RTL-AC017)
Shore Leave Casablanca
Three of HMS PUNCHER’s ships company together in Casablanca, Morocco during a visit by the Canadian manned escort aircraft carrier in August 1944. Howard Abbott is on the left. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA122)
Howard Abbott, RCNVR
Howard Abbott, RCNVR in the Canadian manned Escort Aircraft Carrier, HMS PUNCHER, off the coast of Norway, Jan/Feb 1945. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA082)
HMS DURBAN
HMS DURBAN, a “D” class light cruiser built in 1921 is the convoy commodore for the CornCob Convoy that HMCS TRENTONIAN escorted to Normandy on 7 July 1944. The cruiser has been stripped of her fittings and primary weapons and is destined to be sunk and become part of the Gooseberry breakwater, protecting the beaches […]
MAC Ship in Convoy
Merchant Aircraft Carrier or MAC ship in convoy in 1943, photo taken from HMCS ARVIDA. MAC ships were merchant tankers converted with a flight deck, island super structure and could carry three to four aircraft on deck. These ships still carried material in their holds and therefore there were no interior hangars. The advantage was […]
Flight Operations HMS PUNCHER
An Avenger and a Barracuda from 778 Service Trails Unit from RN Air Station Arbroath is ready to takeoff from HMS PUNCHER. The Canadian manned Aircraft Carrier is carrying out Deck Landing Training on November 5th and 6th 1944. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA035) If you enjoy the content I create and […]
HMS TROLLOPE -Bermuda
HMS TROLLOPE, a Captain class frigate under going training in Bermuda in February 1944. Picture taken from HMCS TRENTONIAN. Roger Litwiller Collection, Allen E. Singleton, RCNVR photo, courtesy Jack Harold, RCNVR. (RTL-JH033) If you enjoy the content I create and find value in the articles on this website, please feel free to click on the […]
RCN Invades Coney Island
Several of HMS PUNCHER’s sailors enjoy shore leave at New York’s famous Coney Island, including Howard Abbott in the front passenger seat in 1944. PUNCHER was an escort aircraft carrier, manned by Canadian sailors during WWII. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA111) If you enjoy the content I create and find value in […]
Wounded Sailer
The skipper of HMTS Monarch, Captain Arthur Troops is transferred to HMCS TRENTONIAN with a critical head injury. Troops’ ship, a cablelayer and TRENTONIAN were fired on by USS PLUNKETT on the night of 13 June 1944 while laying a communications cable to Normandy. The Canadian corvette was undamaged, while the cablelayer was severely damaged, […]