21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron
The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron also called Twenty First Aircraft Carrier Squadron was a Royal Navy aircraft carrier formation from March 1945 to December 1945.
During its existence the squadron's usual composition varied depending on its operational orders. It included a Dido-class light cruiser that served as its flagship, four to five escort carriers of the Attacker-class and Ruler-class, as well as four supporting destroyers of different classes. During Operation Dracula the squadron also included a second cruiser of the Dido class in support of the main force.
History
The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron was established in March 1945 as part of reinforcements sent to the Indian Ocean and was assigned to the East Indies Fleet. On 25 April 1945 the squadron took part in Operation Dracula as part of Force W along with the 3rd Battle Squadron. Its responsibility was to provide daylight air cover during the initial stages of the operation until May 1945. From 10 August 1945 to 15 August 1945 it took part in Operation Carson as a component of Force 61. The squadron remained in existence until December 1945 when it was disbanded.Commanders
| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | |
| 1 | Commodore | Geoffrey Oliver | 1 March 1945 to 21 August 1945 | |
| 2 | Rear Admiral | Geoffrey Oliver | 21 August 1945 to December 1945 |
Composition
Reinforcements sent to the Indian Ocean in March 1945
| Ship | Dates | Notes |
| HMS Royalist | March to April 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser and flagship |
| HMS Hunter | March to April 1945 | Attacker-class escort carrier |
| HMS Emperor | March to April 1945 | Ruler-class escort carrier |
| HMS Stalker | March to April 1945 | Attacker-class escort carrier |
| HMS Blackmore | March to April 1945 | Hunt-class destroyer |
| HMS Nubian | March to April 1945 | Tribal-class destroyer |
| HMS Tenacious | March to April 1945 | T-class destroyer |
| HMS Termagant | March to April 1945 | T-class destroyer |
| HMS Troubridge | March to April 1945 | T-class destroyer |
Operation Dracula, April to May 1945
| Ship | Dates | Notes |
| HMS Royalist | April to May 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser and flagship |
| HMS Phoebe | April to May 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser |
| HMS Emperor | April to May 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Hunter | April to May 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Khedive | April to May 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Stalker | April to May 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Saumarez | April to May 1945 | S-class destroyer |
| HMS Venus | April to May 1945 | V-class destroyer |
| HMS Vigilant | April to May 1945 | V-class destroyer |
| HMS Virago | April to May 1945 | V-class destroyer |
Operation Carson, 10 to 15 August 1945
| Ship | Dates | Notes |
| HMS Royalist | 10 to 15 August 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser and flagship |
| HMS Ameer | 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Emperor | 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Empress | 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Khedive | 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Shah | 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier |
| HMS Penn | 10 to 15 August 1945 | P class destroyer from 10th Destroyer Flotilla |
| HMS Verulam | 10 to 15 August 1945 | V class destroyer from 10th DF |
| HMS Tartar | 10 to 15 August 1945 | Tribal class destroyer from 10th DF |