british ships in us carrier battle group

Their function was to enhance the spotting power of battleship fleets by conducting aerial reconnaissance, to help defend against bomber attacks launched from shore bases, and perhaps to drop a few bombs or torpedoes of their own during a battleship engagement at close quarters. They were intended to be little more than auxiliaries to the main battle line, which was composed of battleships and battlecruisers. The aircraft carrier battle group familiar today that comprises the majority of the combat power of the United States Navy had not even been conceptualized in the 1920’s when carriers first appeared in notable numbers.Ĭarrier tactics during this time tracked closely with their capabilities and role in the fleet. The first carriers were far from being so capable: they displaced a bit more than a tenth of a US supercarrier of the 21st century and carried only two dozen or so propeller driven aircraft.Īircraft carrier performance and tactics have likewise changed dramatically since the interwar period stretching between 19. United States supercarriers like the USS Nimitz carry over fifty modern strike jets and another couple dozen supporting aircraft, are over a thousand feet long, and displace more than a hundred thousand tons of seawater. Aircraft Carrier Performance and Aircraft Carrier Tactics of World War IIĪircraft carriers have come a long way from the early converted steamers like the HMS Argus and USS Langley.

British ships in us carrier battle group