| Unit Name: | 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron |
| Dates: | March-December 1945 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Branch: | Royal Navy |
| Type: | Squadron |
| Garrison: | Trincomalee, Ceylon |
| Notable Commanders: | Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Oliver |
The 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron [1] 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.
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.[2] 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.[2] From 10 August 1945 to 15 August 1945 it took part in Operation Carson as a component of Force 61.[3] The squadron remained in existence until December 1945 when it was disbanded. [4]
| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| + Commodore/Rear-Admiral, Commanding, 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron | ||||
| 1 | Commodore | 1 March 1945 to 21 August 1945 | ||
| 2 | Rear Admiral | 21 August 1945 to December 1945 | ||
| +21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, March 1945 | ||
| Ship | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March to April 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser and flagship | |
| March to April 1945 | Attacker-class escort carrier | |
| March to April 1945 | Ruler-class escort carrier | |
| March to April 1945 | Attacker-class escort carrier | |
| March to April 1945 | Hunt-class destroyer | |
| March to April 1945 | Tribal-class destroyer | |
| March to April 1945 | T-class destroyer | |
| March to April 1945 | T-class destroyer | |
| March to April 1945 | T-class destroyer | |
| +21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, April to May 1945 | ||
| Ship | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April to May 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser and flagship | |
| April to May 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser | |
| April to May 1945 | escort carrier | |
| April to May 1945 | escort carrier | |
| April to May 1945 | escort carrier | |
| April to May 1945 | escort carrier | |
| April to May 1945 | S-class destroyer | |
| April to May 1945 | V-class destroyer | |
| April to May 1945 | V-class destroyer | |
| April to May 1945 | V-class destroyer | |
| +Operation Carson, 10-15 August 1945 | ||
| Ship | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | Dido-class light cruiser and flagship | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | escort carrier | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | P class destroyer from 10th Destroyer Flotilla | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | V class destroyer from 10th DF | |
| 10 to 15 August 1945 | Tribal class destroyer from 10th DF | |