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HMS Puncher (1943) CVE  (1st)

a Ruler Class (1942) escort aircraft carrier. Built for the US Navy as USS Willapa, CVE 53, and transferred to the Royal Navy under lease-lend terms.

Built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp at Seattle, laid down 21-May-1943, launched 08-Nov-1943, transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned 05-Feb-1944.

Modifications to meet Royal Navy requirements followed at Vancouver until Jun-1944.

Sailed for the UK Jul-1944 and allocated to Western Approaches Command as a ferry carrier. Continued with this until Nov-1944.

Refitted at the Clyde Oct-1944 to Feb-1945.

Served as an operational carrier with the Home Fleet Feb-1945 to May-1945.

Served as a training carrier at Rosyth May-1945 then allocated for trooping duties and continued with this until Jan-1946 when she was returned to the US Navy at Norfolk, Virginia.

Sold as a merchant ship and renamed Bardic.

Renamed Ben Nevis 1959.

Broken up for scrap at Taiwan 11-Jun-1973.

Won the Battle Honour: Atlantic 1944.

Other HMS Puncher
- 1st  HMS  Puncher
- 2nd HMS Puncher
- 3rd HMS Puncher

- Ruler Class (1942) CVE
- Specifications
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- Full Battle Honours

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Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated.