HMS Battler Escort Carrier
HMS Battler (D18) was an American-built escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Converted from a merchantman under construction, she was acquired by the United States Navy on 31 October 1942, as a Bogue-class escort carrier; she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned Battler on the same day under the Lend-Lease agreement.
Battler’s first duty was as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. The ship was active in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and later, the war in the Pacific. She served as a convoy escort, aircraft ferry, and anti-submarine escort during the war.
HMS Battler on sea trials 
HMS Battler on sea trials 
The escort carrier HMS Battler turning into the wind for one of her aircraft to land on. Apr 1943 
HMS Battler underway 
HMS Battler in Grand Harbour Malta, September 1943 with a deck full of Seafire L.IICs belonging to 807 and 808 squadrons 
HMS Battler 
HMS Battler 
HMS Battler 
HMS Battler 
HMS Battler 
40mm Bofors on HMS Battler 
Church service in the hangar of HMS Battler Dec 1943
Aircraft Operations on HMS Battler
A Supermarine Seafire taking off from HMS Battler Dec 1943 
Two pilots of 834 Squadron standing by the nose of a Supermarine Seafire on the flight deck of HMS Battler 
The Commander Flying and the Squadron Commander watching from the bridge as a Seafire takes off 
Damaged Supermarine Seafires on the deck of HMS Battler after the Avalanche operations 
Swordfish 835 Sqn on HMS Battler 
Moving a Fairey Swordfish into position for the take-off aboard HMS Battler 13 May 1942 
Fitting rockets before a Fairey Swordfish takes off on anti-submarine patrol. Dec 1943 
Torpedo armed Fairey Swordfish of HMS Battler 
View from the bridge of HMS Battler as an anti-submarine patrol Fairey Swordfish takes off. Dec 1943
