HMS Pursuer

HMS Pursuer Royal Navy Escort Carrier

HMS Pursuer D73

HMS Pursuer was an Attacker-class escort carrier of the Royal Navy in World War Two. Built in the US in 1942, she was transferred and commissioned into the Royal Navy in July 1943.

Although used primarily as a convoy escort on 3 April 1944, she provided fighter support for an air strike on the German battleship Tirpitz in Altenfjord, Norway. She subsequently provided anti-submarine screening during the D-Day Normandy landings, participated in raids on shipping around Norway and provided air cover during the landings in Southern France.

With the end of World War Two, she was returned to the US Navy in 1946 and scrapped.

HMS Pursuer underway, with aircraft carrier HMS Furious in the background, 31 March 1944
HMS Pursuer underway, with aircraft carrier HMS Furious in the background, 31 March 1944
HMS Pursuer (D73) moored after arriving back at Greenock, Scotland, from patrol.
HMS Pursuer (D73) moored after arriving back at Greenock, Scotland, from patrol.
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer
A Wildcat fighter coming in to land on HMS Pursuer
A Wildcat fighter coming in to land on HMS Pursuer
HMS Pursuer off the northern coast of Norway April 1944
HMS Pursuer off the northern coast of Norway April 1944
Grumman Wildcat fighters on the deck of HMS Pursuer off the northern coast of Norway April 1944
Grumman Wildcat fighters on the deck of HMS Pursuer off the northern coast of Norway April 1944
Grumman Wildcat fighters on the deck of HMS Pursuer off the northern coast of Norway April 1944
Grumman Wildcat fighters on the deck of HMS Pursuer off the northern coast of Norway April 1944
HMS Pursuer with three of her Wildcat fighters airborne over her; 1944.
HMS Pursuer with three of her Wildcat fighters airborne over her; 1944.
Grumman Wildcats taking off from HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France 7 August 1944
Grumman Wildcats taking off from HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France August 1944
Grumman Wildcat being moved out of the way after becoming unserviceable on HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France 7 August 1944
Grumman Wildcat being moved out of the way after becoming unserviceable on HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France August 1944
Grumman Wildcat being readied on HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France 14/15 August 1944
Grumman Wildcat being readied on HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France 14/15 August 1944
Grumman Wildcat being readied on HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France 14/15 August 1944
Grumman Wildcat being readied on HMS Pursuer during the invasion of Southern France 14/15 August 1944
Wildcat on HMS Pursuer
Wildcat on HMS Pursuer
Fleet Air Arm Pilot Lt B A Lawrence with his damaged Grumman Martlet after returning to HMS Pursuer during operations over Southern France during Operation Dragoon - August 1944
Fleet Air Arm Pilot Lt B A Lawrence with his damaged Grumman Martlet after returning to HMS Pursuer during operations over Southern France during Operation Dragoon – August 1944
A Fleet Air Arm Grumman Wildcat Mk.V of No.896 Squadron based aboard the escort carrier HMS Pursuer (D73)
A Fleet Air Arm Grumman Wildcat Mk.V of No.896 Squadron based aboard the escort carrier HMS Pursuer (D73)
Hellcats of 800 Squadron (HMS Emperor) and Wildcat V's of 882 Squadron (HMS Searcher) overfly the escort carrier HMS Pursuer
Hellcats of 800 Squadron (HMS Emperor) and Wildcat V’s of 882 Squadron (HMS Searcher) overfly the escort carrier HMS Pursuer
The anti-aircraft guns of HMS Pursuer. Off the coast of northern Norway April 1944
The anti-aircraft guns of HMS Pursuer. Off the coast of northern Norway April 1944
Pilots in the ready room of HMS Pursuer
Pilots in the ready room of HMS Pursuer
FAA crewmen in the briefing room aboard the escort carrier HMS Pursuer.
FAA crewmen in the briefing room aboard the escort carrier HMS Pursuer.
Captain H D Graham, DSO, DSC, RN, on the bridge of HMS Pursuer
Captain H D Graham, DSO, DSC, RN, on the bridge of HMS Pursuer