The Bogue-class escort carrier USS Copahee (CVE-12) was launched on 21 October 1941 and commissioned on 15 June 1942. Originally classified AVG-12, this was changed to ACV-12 on 20 August 1942 and to CVE-12 on 15 July 1943 Her final designation was CVHE-12 allotted on 12 June 1955.
Once commissioned Copahee transported aircraft from the US to bases in the Pacific. At the end of the Second World War, she took part in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting servicemen back to the US.
She was decommissioned on 5 July 1946 and placed in reserve. USS Copahee was scrapped in 1961.
USS Copahee (ACV-12) entering Dry Dock 5 February 8,1942USS Copahee (ACV-12) at anchor, circa 1942USS Copahee (AVG-12) off Puget Sound Navy Yard on 17 August 1942USS Copahee (ACV-12) Puget Sound Navy Yard, 17 August 1942. Port view.USS Copahee (ACV-12) Puget Sound Navy Yard, 17 August 1942. Bow view.USS Copahee (ACV-12) at sea, 31 August 1942.USS Copahee (ACV-12) underway off Port Angeles, Washington, on 30 August 1942.Mess Attendants manning a 20mm machine gun, in a gun tub beside the flight deck, USS Copahee (ACV-12) 9 September 1942Starboard broadside view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943Stern view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943Bow on view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943Port broadside view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) in San Francisco Bay, 9 May 1943USS Copahee (ACV-12) underway off Mare Island, on 14 July 1943Stern view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) off Mare Island on 14 July 1943Forward plan view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) at Mare Island on 14 July 1943Aft plan view of USS Copahee (ACV-12) at Mare Island on 14 July 1943USS Copahee passing under the Golden Gate Bridge on her way out to sea on 15 July 1943, the day she was redesignated CVE-12USS Copahee (CVE-12) underway from San Diego Naval Repair Base to U.S. Naval Air Station, North Island, 9 April 1944USS Copahee (CVE-12) wearing camouflage Measure 33 12A off Saipan in June 1944USS Copahee (CVE-12) off Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, 1944USS Copahee (CVE-12), 25 July 1944, taken by a blimp from squadron ZP-12. This camouflage is Measure 33 Design 12AUSS Copahee CVE-12
Aircraft Operations
Vought F4U-1 Corsair of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 213 Hell Hawks warming up for flight from the deck of USS Copahee Unloading a Douglas SBD Dauntless to barge from USS Copahee (ACV-12) at Midway Island, 21 May 1943.Aircraft being transported by USS Copahee (CVE-12)USS Copahee left the Garapan off Saipan on 8 July 1944 with a load of captured Japanese planes (13 Zekes and 1 Kate)Mitsubishi A6M5 aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12) Saipan July 1944Mitsubishi A6M5 aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12) Saipan July 1944Mitsubishi A6M5 aboard USS Copahee (CVE-12) Saipan July 1944
The lead-ship of her class, Unryu was launched on 25 September 1943 and commissioned on 6 August 1944. For her maiden sea voyage, she was loaded with thirty Yokosuka MXY7 ÅŒhka kamikaze rocket planes for transport to Manila in the Philippines. Four days after departing Kure, Hiroshima she was sunk by USS Redfish (SS-395) on 17 December 1944. Only 145 men survived to be rescued, with 1,238 officers, crewmen and passengers losing their lives.
Japanese Aircraft Carrier UnryūJapanese Aircraft Carrier Unryū sinking as seen from the Submarine USS Redfish (SS-395)
Karel Doorman QH1 was an escort carrier of the Royal Netherlands Navy. Previously HMS Nairana of the British Royal Navy, she was transferred to the Netherlands after World War Two. As part of the re-occupation of the Netherlands East Indies, the Karel Doorman ferried 15 Fairey Firefly fighters of 860 Squadron to Soerabaja along with freight and supplies.
On the return journey, the Karel Doorman transported a Japanese Aichi E13A and a Kawanishi N1K1 back to the Netherlands for evaluation.
Karel Doorman was used to evaluate the operation of Auster light aircraft and Sikorsky S-51 helicopters from an aircraft carrier. In 1948 she was returned to the UK and converted to a merchantman Port Victor. She was scrapped in 1971.
HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1 1947HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1HNLMS Karel Doorman QH1
Armament
40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gunBofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun 20mm Oerlikon in a twin mount on HNLMS Karel Doorman QH14″ anti-aircraft gun
Aircraft Operations
Aichi E13A
Aichi E13A “Jake” being towed to the Karel Doorman on 7 November 1946Aichi E13A “Jake” being craned onto the Karel Doorman on 7 November 1946Aichi E13A “Jake” on the deck of the Karel DoormanAichi E13A “Jake” on the deck of the Karel Doorman
Auster
Auster being raised to the Karel Doorman’s deckAuster being raised to the Karel Doorman’s deckAuster being on the Karel Doorman’s deckAuster flying over the Karel Doorman
Fairey Barracuda
Fairey Barracuda from 860 squadron landing on NairanaFairey Barracuda from 860 squadron landing on Nairana860 Sqn Barracuda Mk.III on June 30, 1945 on HMS NarainaA Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) landing on HMS Nairana860 Sqn Barracuda Mk.III on June 30, 1945 on HMS NarainaThe RATOG take-off of a Fairey Barracuda from aircraft squadron 860 (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD)Fairey Barracuda Mk.II aircraft of 860 squadron (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on NairanaFairey Barracuda Mk.III of 860 Sqn on Nairana 1945A Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) landing on HMS NairanaA Fairey Barracuda Mk.II 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on the flight deck.A Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on the elevator of HMS NairanaA Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on the flight deck.Fairey Barracuda Mk.II aircraft of aircraft squadron 860 (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) in the hangar.Fairey Barracuda carrier torpedo planes over Fearn (airfield in Scotland) in the years 1943-1945Fairey Barracuda carrier torpedo planes of the Dutch squadron 860 over Ayr (Scotland) in 1945.
Fairey Firefly
Fairey Firefly F24 being craned aboard HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly F25 on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly F29 being brought up on deck on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly landing on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly taking off from HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly taking off from HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Fireflies on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly on HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly on the elevator of HNLMS Karel DoormanFairey Firefly F6 on HNLMS Karel DoormanCrashed Fairey Firefly F6 on HNLMS Karel DoormanCrashed Fairey Firefly F6 on HNLMS Karel DoormanCrashed Fairey Firefly F6 on HNLMS Karel DoormanCrashed Fairey Firefly F6 on HNLMS Karel Doorman
Kawanishi N1K1
Kawanishi N1K1 “Rex” on the Karel Doorman on 7 November 1946
Sikorsky S-51
Sikorsky S-51 PH-HAA landing on HNLMS Karel DoormanSikorsky S-51 PH-HAA landing on HNLMS Karel DoormanSikorsky S-51 PH-HAA landing on HNLMS Karel DoormanSikorsky S-51 PH-HAA on HNLMS Karel DoormanSikorsky S-51 PH-HAA on HNLMS Karel Doorman
