Canadian manned escort aircraft carrier, HMS PUNCHER nearing completion at Vancouver shipyard, February to May 1944. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA033)
Funeral Capt F. J. Walker, RN
HMCS IROQUOIS ships company provides the Honour Guard during the funeral of Captain, Frederic John Walker, RN, CB, DSO & Three Bars in Liverpool on 11 July 1944. Commander J.C. Hibbard, Commanding Officer of IROQUOIS is on the left, with Chief S.M. Saunders on the right of the ships company. The funeral was attended by […]
HMS ANCYLUS in Halifax
Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC), HMS ANCYLUS in Halifax on 15 February 1944 with convoy ONS 28. The MAC ships were converted merchant tankers, given a flight deck and the aircraft could provide air cover for the convoy when shore based aircraft were out of range. Photo taken from HMCS TRENTONIAN in Halifax Harbour. Roger Litwiller […]
Fire Fly’s over HMS PUNCHER
Canadian manned aircraft carrier HMS PUNCHER’s first squadron of Fire Fly’s arrive over the carrier in preparations for operations in the Pacific after VE day. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA034)
Hospital Ship
Unidentified Hospital Ship, possibly in the English Channel 1944. Photo taken from HMCS MAYFLOWER. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Ralph O’Brien, RCNVR. (RTL-ROB020)
Canadian Sailors in HMS Puncher
Several of HMS Puncher’s sailors take advantage of the hot weather to tan on the carriers crowded flight deck, while ferrying aircraft to Casablanca in July 1944. Too hot to touch they cover the deck with blankets and towels. Howard Abbott is front left. The Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA050)
HMSub TRUSTY with German U-Boat
Unknown German U-Boat, secured alongside HMSub TRUSTY (N45) possibly in Rothesay, UK, May 1945. Roger Litwiller Collection -Photo courtesy Raymond Leslie Reid, RCNVR. (RTL-RLR018)
HMS PUNCHER Tragedy
A tragic crash landing on HMS PUNCHER. This Firefly attempted to land at too great a speed, the arrester hook snapped on contact with the wire and the plane burst through both wire barricades as the plane shot off the carriers bow and plunged into the water. The pilot, Lieutenant M.C. Malone was saved, his […]
HMS PUNCHER’s Duty Boat
One of HMS PUNCHER’s boats comes alongside the Canadian manned escort carrier in 1944. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA094)
HMS DIANTHUS
HMS DIANTHUS in 1943 escorting a convoy, photo taken from HMCS ARVIDA. Roger Litwiller Collection, courtesy Howard Abbott, RCNVR. (RTL-HA075)