Allied Warships

HMS Vengeance (71)

Aircraft Carrier of the Colossus class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeAircraft Carrier
ClassColossus 
Pennant71 
Built bySwan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. (Wallsend-on-Tyne, U.K.): Wallsend 
Ordered7 Aug 1942 
Laid down16 Nov 1942 
Launched23 Feb 1944 
Commissioned15 Jan 1945 
End service 
History

HMS Vengeance was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy from 13 November 1952 to 13 August 1955. Sold to Brazil as Minas Gerais in December 1956. Refitted at Rotterdam during 1957/1960 with a 8.5 degree angled deck. Overhauled 1976/1980. Laid up in 1987 due to catapult problems. Refitted during 1991/1993. Recommissioned for further service in October 1993 but operated only ASW helicopters. Finally decommissioned in October 2001.

Sold to Indian shipbreakers early 2004 and left Brazil under tow for India on 9 February 2004
Arrived off Alang, India on 14 April and handed over to the breakers the next day.
On the 17th she was run ashore on the beach and demolition commenced.

 

Commands listed for HMS Vengeance (71)

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and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Capt. Douglas Mortimer Lewis Neame, DSO, RN27 Sep 194420 Aug 1946

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Notable events involving Vengeance include:


The page dealing with the wartime history of HMS Vengeance was was created in December 2023.

15 Dec 1944
At 0900A/15, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) is commissioned for trials at Wallsend-on-Tyne. (1)

16 Dec 1944
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) is towed from her builders yard at Wallsend-on-Tyne to North Shields. (1)

4 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) proceeded from North Shields to Methil. It appears she was escorted by HMS Lancaster (Lt. J.R. Pritchard, DSC, RNVR) [name of the escort is a bit difficult to read in the log of HMS Vengeance]. (2)

5 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) proceeded from Methil to Rosyth. En-route anchor trials were carried out. (2)

7 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted full power trials off the Firth of Forth. (2)

8 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted compass adjustment and D/G trials off Rosyth. (2)

14 Jan 1945
Around 0800A/14, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Rosyth for Greenock. On passing May Island around 1130A/14, she was joined by the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. the Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN) and HMS Carron (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Wilkinson, DSC, RN).

Around 2340A/14, HMS Onslaught was detached.

Around 0500A/15, HMS Carron was detached to proceed independently.

Around 1400A/15, HMS Vengeance dropped anchor off Greenock. She is then placed in full commission. (2)

22 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) landed on aircraft in the Clyde area. (2)

23 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying trials in the Clyde area. (2)

24 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Chaser (Capt. R.G. Poole, RN) proceeded from the Clyde to Belfast Lough. During this passage they were escorted by HMCS Iroquois (Cdr. J.C. Hibbard DSC and Bar, RCN) and ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) J.A. Tchórznicki, ORP). (3)

26 Jan 1945
Around 0645A/26, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Belfast Lough for Greenock where she arrived around 1445A/26. During the passage she was escorted by HMS Oakham Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Lyons, RNVR) and HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, DSC, RNVR). (2)

27 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

28 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

31 Jan 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (2)

1 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

4 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

5 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

6 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

7 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. Also damage control exercises were carried out. (4)

8 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

9 Feb 1945
During 9/10 February 1945, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (4)

19 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) proceeded from Greenock to Largs Bay where she conducted D/F trials on completion of which she returned to Greenock. (4)

27 Feb 1945
From 27 February to 1 March 1945, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (5)

2 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

4 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

5 Mar 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises in the Clyde area. (6)

12 Mar 1945
Around 1330A/12, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) departed the Clyde for Malta. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Tartar (Capt. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Ulysses (Lt.Cdr. B.G.B. Bordes, DSC, RN), HMCS Assiniboine (Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN) and the frigates HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN), HMS Inman (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.E. Petre, RNR) and HMS Stockham (T/A/Lt.Cdr. B.C. Hamilton, RNR).

Around 0830A/15, HMS Cotton, HMS Inman and HMS Stockham parted company.

Around 1130A/15, the escort destroyer HMS Croome (A/Lt.Cdr. B.C. Ward, DSC, RN) joined company.

Around 1300A/16, the destroyers HMS Malcolm (Cdr. H. Lloyd-Williams, DSO, RNVR), HMS Verity (Lt.Cdr. C.G. Cowley, RN) and HMS Wolverine (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J.M. Miller, DSC, RNVR) joined company.

Around 1330A/17, the light aircraft carriers anchored in Gibraltar Bay.

Around 1500A/17, the light aircraft carriers weighed anchor to continue their passage to Malta. They were now escorted by HMS Ulysses. To the east of Gibraltar RDF exercises were carried out with the destroyer HMS Barfleur (Cdr. M.S. Townsend, DSO, DSC and Bar, OBE, RN).

Around 2215A/17, HMS Tartar rejoined company apparently having been delayed at Gibraltar.

Around 1000A/20, the fleet arrived at Malta. (7)

21 Mar 1945
Around 1330A/21, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Malta for Gibraltar where she is to be docked due to defects. (6)

23 Mar 1945
Around 1700A/23, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. She immediately enters No.1 graving dock. She is docked down the following day. (6)

19 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) is undocked. (8)

20 Apr 1945
Around 0830A/20, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Gibraltar for Malta. (8)

22 Apr 1945
Around 0900A/22, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (8)

23 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) landed on aircraft off Malta. (8)

24 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. (8)

25 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. (8)

26 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. (8)

27 Apr 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. (8)

1 May 1945
During 1/2 May 1945, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. (9)

3 May 1945
During 3/4 May 1945, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. Also on 3 May and underway refuelling exercise was carried out during which HMS Belvoir (A/Lt.Cdr. W.D. Shaw, RN) was fuelled. (9)

10 May 1945
From 10 to 12 May 1945, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. (9)

21 May 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Malta. (9)

22 May 1945
Around 0630B/22, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Glory (Capt. A.W. Buzzard, DSO, OBE, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria. They were escorted by the destroyer HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN). (10)

25 May 1945
Around 1400C/25, HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Glory (Capt. A.W. Buzzard, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta after having carried out exercises during the last night.

HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) did not participate in these exercises and had already put into Alexandria around 1415C/24. (10)

27 May 1945
Around 1800C/27, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) departed Alexandria for Suez.

They passed the Suez Canal southbound the following day and arrived at Suez around 1815C/27. (11)

28 May 1945
Around 2215C/28, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) departed Suez for Aden. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN). (11)

1 Jun 1945
Around 1430C/1, HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN), HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) arrived at Aden from Suez. (12)

2 Jun 1945
Around 1130C/2, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) departed Aden for Ceylon / Madras.

Around 1800C/2, the battleship HMS Duke of York (Capt. A.D. Nicholl, DSO, RN) joined company.

Around 0700FG/8, HMS Colossus and HMS Vengeance parted company to proceed to Madras and Trincomalee respectively. The other ships entered Colombo harbour later that morning. (12)

9 Jun 1945
Around 0625FG/9, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) and HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) parted company off Trincomalee. HMS Vengeance then entered harbour while HMS Colossus continued on towards Madras. (13)

11 Jun 1945
Around 1700FG/11, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Trincomalee for Madras. (14)

12 Jun 1945
Around 1130FG/12, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Madras from Trincomalee. (14)

13 Jun 1945
Around 1000FG/13, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Madras for Colombo. (14)

14 Jun 1945
Around 1730FG/14, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Colombo from Madras. (14)

16 Jun 1945
Around 1200FG/16, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) departed Colombo for Trincomalee. (14)

17 Jun 1945
Around 1215FG/17, HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) arrived at Trincomalee from Colombo. (14)

18 Jun 1945
Around 1130C/2, the light aircraft carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) and the destroyer HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. (12)

7 Jul 1945
Around 0630FG/7, the battleship HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) departed Trincomalee for Fremantle. She first conducted underway refuelling exercises off Trincomalee.

Around 0730FG/7 the light carriers HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) also departed Trincomalee for Fremantle and joined HMS Anson.

They were joined around 1900FG/7 by the light carrier HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN) which had departed Colombo around 0800FG/7.

HMS Anson joined the other ships around 0630FG/8.

En-route to Fremantle both destroyers refuelled from HMS Anson.

They arrived at Fremantle around 0800H, 16 July 1945. (15)

16 Jul 1945
Around 1745H/16, the battleship HMS Anson (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN), light carriers HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.J.H. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) and HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) departed Fremantle for Sydney.

Around 2100H/16, HMS Anson was detached to fuel at Albany where she arrived around 1430H/17.

Around 1200H/18, HMS Anson departed Albany for Sydney.

All ships arrived at Sydney in the morning of 22 July except for HMS Tuscan which arrived in the afternoon and HMS Vengeance and HMS Colossus which entered Jervis Bay in the morning of 22 July.

HMS Vengeance and HMS Colossus proceeded from Jervis Bay to Sydney on 23 July. (15)

13 Aug 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) proceeded from Sydney to Jervis Bay. She is escorted by HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN). (16)

14 Aug 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) proceeded from Jervis Bay to Sydney. She is escorted by HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN). (16)

15 Aug 1945
The aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CB, CBE, RN), light carriers HMS Colossus (Capt. G.H. Stokes,CB, DSC, RN), HMS Venerable (Capt. W.A. Dallmeyer, DSO, RN), HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN), light cruisers HMS Bermuda (Capt. J.S. Bethell, CBE, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral C. Moody, CB, RN), HMS Swiftsure (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMS Kempenfelt (Capt. E.G. McGregor, DSO, RN), HMS Whirlwind (Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSO, DSC, OBE, RN), HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN), HMS Tumult (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Pomeroy DSC, RN), HMS Tuscan (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN) and HMS Tyrian (Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) departed Sydney for Manus where they arrived on 19 / 20 August 1945.

The following vessels arrived at Manus on 19 August 1945; HMS Illustrious, HMS Venerable, HMS Swiftsure, HMS Kempenfelt, HMS Whirlwind and HMS Ursa. The remaining vessels arrived on 20 August 1945. (17)

23 Aug 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Manus during which she was escorted by HMS Helford (Cdr. C.G. Cuthbertson, DSC, RNR). (16)

28 Aug 1945
HMS Vengeance (Capt. D.M.L. Neame, DSO and Bar, RN) conducted flying exercises off Manus.

In late August / early September, with the war now over, she went to Hong Kong via Leyte. (16)

Sources

  1. ADM 53/120687
  2. ADM 53/122456
  3. ADM 53/121092 + ADM 53/122456
  4. ADM 53/122457
  5. ADM 53/122457 + ADM 53/122458
  6. ADM 53/122458
  7. ADM 53/121137 + ADM 53/122446 + ADM 53/122458
  8. ADM 53/122459
  9. ADM 53/122460
  10. ADM 53/121457 + ADM 53/122248 + ADM 53/122460
  11. ADM 53/121139 + ADM 53/122448 + ADM 53/122460
  12. ADM 53/121140 + ADM 53/122449 + ADM 53/122461
  13. ADM 53/121140 + ADM 53/122461
  14. ADM 53/122461
  15. ADM 53/120838 + ADM 53/121141 + ADM 53/122450 + ADM 53/122461
  16. ADM 53/122463
  17. ADM 53/120982 + ADM 53/121564 + ADM 53/122451 + ADM 53/122463 + ADM 187/51

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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