H.M.S. PUNCHER Gllery

The first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762205 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Aft starboard quarter view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762204 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Stern view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762207 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Twin Oerlikon 20mm gun mounts being installed. These were an upgrade to the air defence armament, replacing many of the single mounts. Image: e000762200 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Twin Oerlikon 20mm gun mounts being installed. These were an upgrade to the air defence armament, replacing many of the single mounts. Image: e000762199 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Twin Oerlikon 20mm gun mounts being installed. These were an upgrade to the air defence armament, replacing many of the single mounts. Image: e000762202 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

May 12th 1944: PUNCHER underway from Esquimalt to return to Burrard’s after undocking. This image clearly shows the empty Bofors tubs along the flight deck edge; these would not be fitted until she arrived in Norfolk on July 11th.i

Late May 1944: Gunnery practice, including tests of the new twin Oerlikon mountings, the ship being one of the first to have this type fitted.

Aircraft handling practice eon maiden voyage: June 9th – 24th 1944.

May 31st 1944: Obsolete RCAF Blackburn Shark ‘549’ is hoisted aboard PUNCHER. This, and four other Sharks were handed to the RN for training purposes and eventual disposal. (1) ♣

May 31st 1944: Obsolete RCAF Blackburn Shark ‘549’ is hoisted aboard PUNCHER. This, and four other Sharks were handed to the RN for training purposes and eventual disposal. (2) ♣

May 31st 1944: Obsolete RCAF Blackburn Shark ‘549’ is hoisted aboard PUNCHER. This, and four other Sharks were handed to the RN for training purposes and eventual disposal. (3) ♣

Early June 1944: PUNCHER, starboard broadside view, underway in the Georgia Strait, her training Shark lashed on her flight deck.

Early June 1944: PUNCHER underway in the Georgia Strait, her training Shark lashed on her flight deck.

Early June 1944: PUNCHER, port broadside view, underway in the Georgia Strait, her training Shark lashed on her flight deck.

c. June 1944: PUNCHER, underway on passage to San Diego, California, her training Shark lashed on her flight deck.

PUNCHER’s Shark had a functional engine, and it was started to give flight deck parties the experience of handling ‘live’ aircraft with running propellers. In this image, an air engineer Sub-Lt prepares the engine for start-up, another sits in the cockpit while the ‘cockmen’ lie prone ready to remove their wheel chocks on command. ♣

PUNCHER’s Shark had a functional engine, and it was started to give flight deck parties the experience of handling ‘live’ aircraft with running propellers. In this image, the engine has been successfully started. An officer sits in the cockpit while the ‘cockmen’ lie prone ready to remove their wheel chocks on command. It is unclear whether this aircraft actually taxied around the deck. ♣

PUNCHER’s Shark had a functional engine, and it was started to give flight deck parties the experience of handling ‘live’ aircraft with running propellers. In this image, the engine has been shut down, possibly due to flames in the engine bay; a Co2 fire extinguisher is being used on the engine bay. ♣

A Blackburn Shark is being man-handled onto the aircraft lift ready to be ranged on deck for the day’s training sessions. The spreading and stowing of the wings was also valuable experience for the aircraft handling parties. ♣

This is Blackburn Shark ‘546’ in THANE: This aircraft has no propeller or engine cowling (`but present upon being hoisted on board and may have been non-operational); it was pushed around the flight deck, giving valuable experience for the aircraft handling parties. In aircraft movements, wing folding and accident recovery. ♥

TThis is Blackburn Shark ‘546’ in THANE being man-handled onto an outrigger, a steel channel that holds the aircraft tailwheel out over the ship’s side allowing for the parking of aircraft on deck with their wings spread. ♥

This is Blackburn Shark ‘546’ in THANE: As a non-runner, this aircraft was used to simulate a crash on deck. ♥

This is Blackburn Shark ‘546’ in THANE: This aircraft may be posed for a crash-on-deck simulation or is poised to fall overboard, as it is trimmed to jettison it before embarking a ferry load. ♥

This is Blackburn Shark ‘546’ in THANE: This aircraft has been pushed overboard, as it is jettisoned before the ship embarks a ferry load. ♥

This is Blackburn Shark ‘546’ jettisoned from THANE: Still afloat, she is being used for target practice by the ship’s 40mm Bofos crews. (Note: PUNCHER sailed without her 40mm Bofors mounts and they were not installed until after her Shark had been ditched.) ♥

Aircraft Ferry duties: June - September1944

Late June 1944: PUNCHER, now in the Caribbean, has ditched her Blackburn Shark on passage from Crisobal to New Orleans where she was to collect a number of motor launches for delivery to New York. In this image you can clearly see that the aft lift is blanked off and her Bofors mounts are not yet installed.

c. July 1st 1944: one of four 72' harbour defence motor launches being craned on board PUNCHER for passage as deck cargo to New York.

c. July 1st 1944: two of the four 72' harbour defence motor launches on board PUNCHER for passage as deck cargo to New York.

c. July 27th 1944: PUNCHER approaching Hampton Roads, off the Virginia coast, transporting a mixed load of 40 aircraft, along with 29 officers and 45 enlisted men of the USAAF 427th Night Fighter Squadron. In company with the CVE USS SHAMROCK BAY, she was to join convoy UGF13 bound for Casablanca, Morocco, North Africa. She now has her complete Anti-aircraft armament fitted and wears the pennant number ‘79’ on the bow.

August 27th 1944: PUNCHER approaching Hampton Roads, off the Virginia coast, on the return leg of her ferry voyage to Casablanca. She is bound for the US Naval Operating Base at Norfolk to embark a second ferry load for delivery to the UK. Part of this load included the 18 Corsairs of the 1845 Naval Air Squadron, along with the squadron's stores and support equipment. Photo # NH 106583 Naval History and Heritage Command

August 30th 1944, Norfolk Naval Operating Base: The Corsairs of 1845 squadron are hoisted aboard PUNCHER and taken below into the hangar. (1)

August 30th 1944, Norfolk Naval Operating Base: The Corsairs of 1845 squadron are hoisted aboard PUNCHER and taken below into the hangar. (2)

August 30th 1944, Norfolk Naval Operating Base: The Corsairs of 1845 squadron are hoisted aboard PUNCHER and taken below into the hangar. (3)

August 31st 1944: PUNCHER on passage from Norfolk to New York on her second ferry voyage. She carries 18 Corsairs of the 1845 squadron in her hangar, as well as a deck cargo of Hellcats, Avengers, Corsairs, and one Helldiver for delivery to the UK.

August 31st 1944: PUNCHER on passage from Norfolk to New York on her second ferry voyage. She carries 18 Corsairs of 1845 squadron in her hangar, as well as a deck cargo of Hellcats, Avengers, Corsairs, and one Helldiver for delivery to the UK.

September 21st 1944: PUNCHER at Greenock, about to sail on her third and final ferry voyage before receiving her own squadron.

c. October 6th 1944: PUNCHER on passage from New York on her third ferry voyage. She carries 63 P-51 Mustangs, 8 P-47 Thunderbolts, 7 F-6F Hellcats, and associated stores for delivery to the UK.

c. July 31st 1945: PUNCHER has a ferry load comprising 12 Corsairs, 19 Avengers, 2 Harvards, 6 Hellcats (Night Fighters) and one Helldiver embarked from Norfolk for the UK.

c. July 31st 1945: Crewmen on PUNCHER pose on the flight deck amongst the ferry load embarked from Norfolk for the UK. (1)

c. July 31st 1945: Crewmen on PUNCHER pose on the flight deck amongst the ferry load embarked from Norfolk for the UK. (2)

821 Squadron embarks, and works up for operational readiness: November 1944 - January 1945

November 5/6th 1944: the ship's catapult and arrestor systems were tested by two aircraft from 778 Squadron Service Trials Unit out of RNAS Arbroath. They carried out a series of launches and deck landings: 7 by an Avenger and 12 by a Barracuda (MD761 ).

c. December 1944: an 821-squadron Barracuda is being moved by the flight deck movements party; it is either ready to be struck down into the hangar or has just been brought up and is being ranged on deck, wings folded.

Date unknown: Barracuda barrier crash (1). These aircraft invariably ended up pitched onto their nose after the crash barrier snags the undercarriage.

Date unknown: Barracuda barrier crash (1). These aircraft invariably ended up pitched onto their nose after the crash barrier snags the undercarriage

Captain Bidwell on the bridge.

c. -January 1945: Eleven of the twelve Barracudas belonging to 821 Squadron are ready for take-off.

January 8th 1945? This is probably MD846 (‘NI’), piloted by Sub-Lt N. B. Cox, RNVR; While making a night landing the aircraft drifted to port on landing and ran a wheel into the walkway.

Barracuda nose art – “bomburger” – Wimpy about to eat a bomb instead of a hamburger.

c. February 1st 1945: PUNCHER at anchor in Scapa Flow as the ship continues its operational work-up. (1)

c. February 1st 1945: PUNCHER at anchor in Scapa Flow as the ship continues its operational work-up. (2)

Operations with the Home Fleet: February 1st – April 13th 1945

c. February 1945: The Barracudas of 821 squadron ranged on deck ready for take off. The plane guard destroyer can be seen astern to her port.

Barracuda ‘NA’ with the nose art Beukendien Blonde is waiting its turn for take-off. It fitted a rocket-assisted take-off gear (RATOG) to boost it off the deck with a full depth-charge bomb load.

February 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: The nine Barracudas of 821 squadron approach Stavanger on the Norwegian coast before turning north for their target.

February 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: The Barracudas run in low to drop their mines at Haugesund in the Karmøy Channel, which separates the island of Karmøy from the Norwegian mainland.

February 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: The Barracudas use the shipping buoys as target markers to accurately sow their mines in the channel.

February 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: All mines laid, the Barracudas turn and begin to their return journey to rejoin the carrier.

February 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: The seven remaining Barracudas make their return journey to rejoin the carrier, still at low altitude. Two aircraft and their crews were lost due to anti-aircraft fire.

FFebruary 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: The first Barracudas to arrive back make a successful landing.

February 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: A Barracuda piloted by Lt G. F. Cornish RNVR has just landed after a mine laying operation in Karmoy Channel which separates the island of Karmøy from the Norwegian mainland. The port wing shows damage from AA fire; two other squadron aircraft were shot down during the operation, killing both crews.

February 22nd 1945 Operation GROUNDSHEET: Once back on the deck, the aircraft is quickly moved forward of the crash barrier, and its wings are folded ready for striking down into the hangar.

c. February 1945: A Wildcat of 881 squadron catches a wire, landing safely. The squadron embarked in February to provide fighter cover of the Barracudas during Operation SELENIUM I & II , and SHRED and GROUNDSHEET.

c. February 1945: A Wildcat of 881 squadron catches a wire, but the starboard undercarriage leg has collapsed. The squadron embarked in February to provide fighter cover of the Barracudas during Operation SELENIUM I & II , and SHRED and GROUNDSHEET.

March 17th 1945? This is probably ME114 piloted by Sub-Lt R. A. K. Stewart RNVR; While making a night landing, the aircraft suffered a hydraulic leak, and landed with the undercarriage not fully extended – it collapsed on touchdown.

April 1945 Operation NEWMARKET: the Cruiser BIRMINGHAM and another CVE, possibly HMS TRUMPETER, sail in formation with PUNCHER in rough seas. Dad weather caused this operation to be abandoned.

Deck Landing Training Carrier: May – June 1945

On leaving the Clyde Dockyard once her boiler clean and docking had been completed PUNCHER came under the administrative control of the Flag Officer Carrier Training (FOCT) from May 15th (1)

On leaving the Clyde Dockyard once her boiler clean and docking had been completed PUNCHER came under the administrative control of the Flag Officer Carrier Training (FOCT) from May 15th (2)

PUNCHER underway for operations as a deck landing training carrier.

May 24th 1945: The Firefly Night Fighters of 1790 squadron fly out from RNAS Burscough to begin an intensive deck landing period.

March 20th 1946: PUNCHER on the Clyde on her arrival back in the UK to pay off. Note she is flying her paying-off pennant from the masthead.

June 11th 1945: Firefly INF Z1968 of 1791 Squadron, piloted by Sub-Lt A. B. Bellenger RNVR. After making a low approach, the tail oleo hit rounddown, damaging the arrester hook, which pulled out. The aircraft entered the barrier.

June 11th 1945: Firefly INF Z1968 of 1791 Squadron, piloted by Sub-Lt A. B. Bellenger RNVR, is being cleared from the deck after a barrier crash.

Reallocated to trooping duties between the UK and Canada: July – December 1945

PUNCHER at Halifax. Nova Scotia July 2nd 1945.

PUNCHER arrives at Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 18th 1945 carrying Canadian servicemen returning from Europe.

New York. Photo courtesy CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum m Neg: VR999.661.34

Ship's Company and recreation

Cooling off: Members of the crew cooling off after unloading the ferry load at Casablanca, Morocco.

Captain Bidwell addressing the ship's company from the bridge.

RCN sailors on the foc's'le of HMS PUNCHER. Howard Abbott, rear, 2nd from right in light coloured shirt

RCN sailors on the foc's'le of HMS PUNCHER

Sailors on HMS PUNCHER posing with a Second World War German Naval Ensign

Sailors on HMS PUNCHER posing with a Nazi flag

April 1945 Operation NEWMARKET: During the time at sea for this operation the ship crossed the Arctic Circle, and this certificate ‘the order of the Blue Nose’ was issued to all aboard who had not crossed this line before.

HMS PUNCHER gallery

Modification period at Vancouver: February – May 1944