Launched 7 October 1942 and commissioned on 31 May 1943, HMS Emperor was a Ruler-class escort carrier operated by the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Initially built for the US Navy, she was allocated to Britain under the lend-lease agreement.
Allocated to the Home Fleet, Emperor took part in offensive operations against German forces in Norwegian waters. This included Operation Tungsten the attack on Tirpitz.
From July to November 1944, Emperor operating the Mediterranean and took part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France.
HMS Emperor was transferred to the Far East in 1945, where she undertook strikes against Japanese positions, the re-occupation of Rangoon and Singapore. Post war she was returned to US control where she was scrapped in 1946.
HMS EmperorHMS Emperor August 1943 working-up off New YorkHMS Emperor August 1943 working-up off New YorkHMS Emperor 1944, heading for England, with her decks loaded with Grumman HellcatsHMS Emperor (D98) at anchor, Greenock, Scotland, 10 January 1944HMS Emperor 10 Jan 44HMS Emperor 22 February 1944 GreenockStarboard side view of HMS Emperor (D98) moored at Greenock, Scotland, 22 February 1944.HMS Emperor with HMS Sheffield in the background, seen from HMS Furious Apr 1944HMS Emperor (D98) and light cruiser HMS Royalist as seen from HMS Pursuer off the Norwegian northern coast in April 1944.HMS Emperor (D98) and HMS Striker (D12), along with an escorting destroyer, battle heavy swells off Norway in April 1944HMS Emperor April 1944HMS Emperor HMS Striker and a destroyer fight heavy seas off the Norwegian northern coast in April 1944HMS Tuscan and HMS Emperor seen from either HMS Attacker or HMS Stalker 14 October 1944HMS Emperor Trincomalee, 1945HMS Emperor entering Singapore, September 1945, with 800 Squadron’s Hellcats lined up on deck. The cruiser steaming astern is HMS CeylonHMS EmperorHMS Emperor underway with Hellcats of 800 NAS on deck. One of them is painted with stripes from Operation DragoonRussian Naval officers, who came on board to see an exhibition of HMS Emperor’s aircraft taking off, watching from the bridge Jan-Apr 44Captain of HMS Emperor, Sir Charles Edward Madden, inspecting the crew with Gunnery WO Frank Bulley accompanying him 1945twin 40mm Bofors HMS EmperorFramed between the guns of HMS Indomitable HMS Emperor steams through the Bitter Lakes on her way through the Suez 20 Nov 1945
HMS Emperor’s Armorers at Work
Fusing of a 250 lbs bomb Sep 1944Armourers with bombs, HMS EmperorArmourers with bombs, HMS Emperor500 pound bombs Aug 1944250 lbs bomb being loaded on to a Hellcat. Sep 1944Armourer’s daily inspection of the guns of HMS Emperor’s Supermarine Walrus. Sep 1944
Aircraft Operations
Fairey Barracuda
Fairey Barracuda Mk.IIs photographed from the deck of HMS Emperor, return from the second strike in Operation Tungsten
Grumman Avenger
Grumman Avenger of either No. 845 or No. 851 Squadrons is shown taking off from HMS Emperor May 1945
Photos of the Hellcats on HMS Emperor can be found here.
Supermarine Walrus
Armourer’s daily inspection of the guns of HMS Emperor’s Supermarine Walrus. Sep 1944
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