HMS BATTLER Gallery

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HMS BATTLER gallery

Images and memorabilia from the private collection of John Worthington, who served on BATTLER as an Able Seaman Gunner AA3 are marked †.

Most of these images are sized to fit the screen, however where possible those containing groups of personnel will open large enough to see individuals. Many, but not all, of these images are available in larger, high-res versions and copies can be supplied upon receipt of a photo request. If you have pictures or other memorabilia that you can contribute to this project please contact the Webmaster using the Offer of assistance form.

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The USS ALTAMAHA is launched on April 4th 1942 at the yard of the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi. †

Captain F. M. R. Stephenson RN †

BATTLER during her sea trials

December 1942: On passage from Miami to New York operating the Swordfish of 840 squadron

December 1942:Arrival at New York. †

January 8th 1943: Martlets are being launched from BATTLER to RNAS Machrihanish after making the Atlantic crossing,

January 8th 1943: A Martlet is launched.

January 8th 1943: A Martlet launch seen from the Focsle.

January 23rd 1943: BATTLER on the river Mersey on passage to enter the dockyard of Harland and Wolff for modification work to bring her up to RN standards.

Work up and her squadrons join: April - June 1943

HMS BATTLER underway May 1943.

A Swordfish of 835 Squadron being brought up from the hanger deck, its wings in the folded position. © IWM (A 16649)

A Swordfish of 835 Squadrons has its wings spread and locked and is man-handled to the aft end of the flight deck to join another already parked ready for take-off.

A Swordfish of 835 Squadrons prepared for take-off as its torpedo is checked. © IWM (A 16647)

A Swordfish takes off from BATTLER; this aircraft type can not be accelerated off the deck and required maximum flight deck run to get airborne.

Air gunner's from as a Swordfish immediately after take-off from BATTLER.

A Swordfish about to touch down ready to catch an arrester wire..

The Deck Landing Control Officer (DLCO) using illuminated wands to guide in an aircraft at dusk.

May 13th 1943, Greenock, Captain Stephenson talking to some of the pilots aboard BATTLER. Note the ship's plaque in the background. © IWM A 16653

Self-defence armament: 4 May 13th 194A Starboard forward twin 40mm Bofors mount manned at action stations †

Self-defence armament: May 13th 194A Port forward twin 40mm Bofors mount manned at action stations. © IWM (A 16646)

Self-defence armament: 4½ gun during night live fire exercise. †

One of a pair of Sea Hurricanes embarked for passage to Gibraltar in June 1943..

One of a pair of Sea Hurricanes embarked for passage to Gibraltar in June 1943.†

Swordfish of 835 squadron wait with their engines running ready to taxy once the Seafire of 808 'A' flight have launched. The ship is steaming into wind at full speed and producing copious amounts of smoke from her deck edge funnels.

June 16th 1943: Seafire NM926 (‘6-B’) of 808A Flight piloted by Sub-Lt A. G. Penney RNVR has just landed on a pitching deck, bounced over the crash barrier and ran into '6G' piloted by Lt. Cdr A. G. Wallace RNVR which had landed ahead of him and was parked in the aircraft park; both aircraft were pushed overboard.

Operation AVALANCHE: September 1943

HMS BATTLER in Grand Harbour Malta, September 1943 with a deck full of Seafire L.IIcs belonging to 807 and 808 squadrons for Operation AVALANCHE.

Admiral Vian addresses the ships' company at Malta. †

Ships of Force 'V' seen from HMS BATTLER during operation AVALANCHE. The larger carrier in the centre is HMS UNICORN. †

HMS STALKER and other vessels of Force 'V' seen from BATTLER †

HMS BATTLER leads the carriers HUNTER, ATTACKER and STALKER Off the Italian coast †

Ships of the invasion force seen from HMS BATTLER during operation AVALANCHE. †

The CVEs of of Force 'V' leaving the Naples area after the Salerno landings. ATTACKER leading STALKER seen trailing BATTLER; the group is lead by HUNTER.

Seafire taking off from BATTLER, during AVALANCHE. HMS Hunter and battleship HMS Ramillies are in the background.

June 1943: Seafire NM926 (‘6-B’) of 808A Flight flies alongside BATTLER in the landing circuit, an escorting Destroyer can be seen keeping station on the carrier.

June 1943: Seafire NM974 (‘6-L’) of 808A Flight is stopped by the barrier after failing to catch an arrestor wire, a propeller blade can be seen flying off.

Damaged Seafires on the deck of BATTLER after the AVALANCHE operations.

A rescued pilot is transferred back on board BATTLER from MTB 307 via a rope ladder at Bizerta.†

Life on board: Joining the Eastern Fleet and trade protection duties October - December 1943

September 28th 1943: BATTLER at Port Said awaiting her turn to enter the Suez Canal on passage to join the Eastern Fleet.

View looking astern as BATTLER enters the Canal.

View looking ahead as BATTLER enters the Canal.

Another view looking astern as the ship continues its passage south towards Port Tewfik and the Fred Sea.

At flying control on the bridge, Commander Flying, Major A R Burch, DSC, RM signals a swordfish is clear to begin its take-off run, 834 Squadron Commander, Lt. Cdr (A) E. Dixon Child, RN, is to his right. © IWM A 21610.© IWM A 21610

At flying control on the bridge, 834 Squadron Commander, Lt. Cdr (A) E. Dixon Child, RN watches ass a swordfish makes a successful take-off on an anti-submarine patrol. © IWM A A 21659

Two pilots of 834 Squadron standing by the nose of a Supermarine Seafire on the flight deck of HMS BATTLER . The barrels and part of the breech of one of the ship's twin 40 mm Bofors guns can be seen in the background. © IWM (A 21600)

The 6 Seafires of 834 Squadron ranged aft for launch, one is already making it take-off run, a second is positioned aft on the centre line ready to follow. Note. These aircraft are still wearing European theatre markings. © IWM A 21617

Seafire ‘P’ of 834 Squadron making its take-off run. Note. This aircraft is still wearing European theatre markings. © IWM A 21608

The view from flying control on the bridge as another Seafire makes its take-off run, Commander Flying and 834 Squadron Commander monitor operations. This aircraft is wearing Eastern theatre markings. © IWM A 21612

Squadron armourers carry rocket projectiles to a swordfish being readied for take-off on an anti-submarine patrol.© IWM A 21616

Squadron armourers fitting rocket projectiles to the launch rails under the wing of a swordfish being readied for take-off on an anti-submarine patrol. © IWM A 21614

Squadron armourers fitting rocket projectiles to the launch rails under the wing of a swordfish being readied for take-off on an anti-submarine patrol. © IWM A 21615

Aircraft are being maintained in the forward aircraft park, Bridge officers look on. Note the Mk.II Seafire did not have folding wings so space was at a premium. © IWM A 21649

The Air Staff officer briefing observers in the air plot room before they set out on an anti-submarine patrol © IWM (A 21602)

Captain F. M. R. Stephenson (second from left) in conference with (left) Cdr Flying, Major A R Burch, DSC, RM; Air Staff Officer, Lt. Cdr B Walford, RN, and (right) the C.O. of 834 Squadron, Lt .Cdr (A) E Dixon Child, RN. © IWM A 216623