Originally ordered as USS Cordova (CVE-39)for the US Navy, HMS Khedive D62 was allocated to the Royal Navy under lend lease and commissioned on 25 August 1943. After a training and work up period with her Supermarine Seafire equipped 899 squadron, she was allocated to the Mediterranean in July 1944.
HMS Khedive participated in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France from 15 August 1944 for nine days, during which four aircraft and two pilots were lost, and one aircraft seriously damaged, due to enemy fire.
During September 1944, HMS Khedive took part in strikes in the Aegean before returning to the UK in October. From April to August 1945 Khedive was with the East Indies Fleet as part of the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron. At this point 899 NAS was replaced by 808 NAS equipped with Grumman Hellcat fighters.
From 23 April 1945, HMS Khedive took part in Operation Dracula, the liberation of Rangoon. This included the embarkation of an Auster Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft from No. 656 AOP Squadron RAF.
She was returned to United States custody on 26 January 1946 and sold into merchant service 23 January 1947 as Rempang (later Daphne). She was sold for scrap in Spain in 1975.
HMS Khedive just inside the breakwater entrance of the Grand Harbour in MaltaHMS Khedive (D62) underway in British coastal waters, 19 March 1944.A cruiser about to be oiled from HMS Khedive, the pipe is seen on the flight deck May 1945HMS Khedive (D62) anchored at Greenock, Scotland on 27 March 1944.HMS KhediveHMS Khedive just inside the breakwater entrance of the Grand Harbour in MaltaHMS Khedive leads Stalker, Emperor, Hunter, Searcher and Pursuer in line asternDutchman SS Rempang
Aircraft Operations
Grumman Hellcat
Grumman Hellcat Mk.II of 808 Sqn on HMS Khedive May 1945 off SumatraGrumman Hellcat Mk.II of 808 Sqn on HMS Khedive May 1945 off SumatraGrumman Hellcat Mk.II of 808 Sqn on HMS Khedive 18 April 1945Grumman Hellcat MkII of 808 NAS C7X JZ796 HMS Khedive 1945Grumman Hellcat Mk.II C7T JV292 of 808 Sqn on HMS Khedive1945Grumman Hellcat aboard HMS Khedive. French battleship Richelieu is in the background April 1945Grumman Hellcat landing on HMS Khedive April 1945Hellcats of 808 squadron being ranged on the flight deck of HMS KhediveHellcats of 808 squadron being ranged on the flight deck of HMS KhediveHellcats K6Y and K6Z, 808 Squadron, prepared for launch from HMS Khedive (D62), 1945.Hellcat fighters of 808 Squadron on HMS Khedive’s flight deck April 1945An 808 NAS Grumman Hellcat aborted landing on HMS Khedive April 1945An 808 NAS Grumman Hellcat being re-armed aboard HMS Khedive April 1945August 1945, after a Hellcat of 808 Squadron hit its tail on the round-down of HMS KhediveApril 10th 1945 Hellcat JW719 (‘K6S’) perched on the Forecastle of HMS KhediveCrashed Hellcat on HMS KhediveGrumman Hellcat crash on HMS Khedive May 1945Crashed Hellcat of 808 squadron on the flight deck of HMS KhediveHellcat JW715 (C-7Z) of 808 NAS enters the barrier after hitting his tail on the rounddown f HMS KhediveGrumman Hellcat on HMS Khedive April 1945One of 804 squadron’s Hellcats as it is caught by the barrier after missing all of the arrestor wires on HMS Khedive
Supermarine Seafire
May 21st 1944, Seafire F Mk.IIIs of 899 being ranged on the flight deck of HMS KhediveBombing up a Seafire III with a 500lb bomb Aug 1944 on HMS KhediveSupermarine Seafire F Mk.III of 899 squadron landing n HMS Khedive April 1st 1944808 Squadron Seafire III with a centreline 500-pound bomb flies off HMS Khedive in August 1944Seafire F Mk.III enters the barrier after failing to catch a wireSeafire F Mk.III enters the barrier after failing to catch a wireCrashed Seafire F Mk.III on HMS Khedive
Supermarine Walrus
In advance of Operation Dracula, HMS Khedive embarked a Supermarine Walrus flying boat for rescue duties
Taylorcraft Auster
An Auster on the deck of HMS Khedive in May 1945 during support of Operation Dracula, the assault on Burma to take back Rangoon.
Vought Corsair
A Vought Corsair on an outrigger on HMS Khedive to extend the deck park.
