The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II

Chronology of the USN in WWII

  1939   1940   1941   1942   1943   1944   1945

  United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Cordova (CVE-39)
  Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Khedive (D62)

Asisbiz RN escort carrier HMS Khedive D62 previously USS Cordova CVE 39 moored at Greenock Inverclyde Scotland 27th Mar 1944

 USS Cordova (CVE-39)

Name USS Cordova
Namesake Cordova Bay in Alaska
Builder Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation
Laid down 22 September 1942
Launched 30 January 1943
Fate Transferred to Royal Navy

 HMS Khedive (D62)

United Kingdom
Name HMS Khedive
Commissioned 25 August 1943
Decommissioned 19 July 1946
Identification Pennant number: D62
Fate Sold as merchant ship; for scrap 1975

General characteristics (as built)

Class and type Bogue-class escort carrier (USA), Ruler-class escort carrier (UK)
Displacement 16,620 tons (full)
Length 495 ft 7 in (151.05 m)
Beam 69 ft 6 in (21.18 m)
Draught 26 ft (7.9 m)
Propulsion Steam turbines, 1 shaft, 8,500 shp (6.3 MW)
Speed 18 knots (33 km/h)
Complement 646 officers and men
Armament
2 × 4"/50, 5"/38 or 5"/51 guns
8 × twin 40 mm Bofors
35 × single 20 mm Oerlikon
Aircraft carried 18-24

 

USS Cordova (CVE-39) (originally AVG-39 then later ACV-39) was an escort carrier launched 27 December 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding of Tacoma, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. A. E. Mitchell. Reclassified CVE-39 on 15 July 1943, Cordova was transferred to the Royal Navy on 25 August 1943, as HMS Khedive (D62) Khedive served as the command ship for the South of France invasion in August 1944.[1] From April to August 1945 was with the East Indies Fleet as part of the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron. Khedive was to take part in the invasion of Singapore in September 1945, codenamed Operation Tiderace. But with the Japanese surrender, she was merely deployed to the island for security.

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.

Description and construction

Design and description These ships were all larger and had a greater aircraft capacity than all the preceding American built escort carriers. They were also all laid down as escort carriers and not converted merchant ships.[2] All the ships had a complement of 646 men and an overall length of 492 feet 3 inches (150.0 m), a beam of 69 feet 6 inches (21.2 m) and a draught of 25 ft 6 in (7.8 m).[2] Propulsion was provided by a steam turbine, two boilers connected to one shaft giving 9,350 shaft horsepower (6,970 kW), which could propel the ship at 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph).[3]

Aircraft facilities were a small combined bridge–flight control on the starboard side, two aircraft lifts 43 feet (13.1 m) by 34 feet (10.4 m), one aircraft catapult and nine arrestor wires.[2] Aircraft could be housed in the 260 feet (79.2 m) by 62 feet (18.9 m) hangar below the flight deck.[2] Armament comprised: two 4"/50, 5"/38 or 5"/51 Dual Purpose guns in single mounts, sixteen 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns in twin mounts and twenty 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons in single mounts.[2] They had a maximum aircraft capacity of twenty-four aircraft which could be a mixture of Hellcat, Vought F4U Corsair or Hawker Sea Hurricane fighter aircraft and or Grumman Avenger anti-submarine aircraft.[2]

 HMS Khedive - Flight deck arrangements

1. Fleet Air Arm Corsair MkII 9Y on a outrigger HMS Khedive East Indies Fleet
2. Fleet Air Arm Hellcat crash aboard HMS Khedive with HMS Queen Elizabeth off Miyako Island 4th May 1945
3. Fleet Air Arm Seafires aboard HMS Khedive 21st May 1944

Flight deck arrangements

The USS Cordova (later known as HMS Khedive after transfer to the Royal Navy) was an escort carrier that featured a flight deck with dimensions suitable for carrying a complement of 18 to 24 aircraft. As part of the Bogue-class escort carriers, the Cordova was equipped with a short but functional flight deck that allowed for the launch and recovery of various aircraft types, including fighters and bombers. The deck was designed to handle the operational needs of the carrier during World War II, facilitating operations with aircraft like the Grumman F4F Wildcat and the TBF Avenger. It also included the basic operational infrastructure for carrier aviation, such as catapults and arresting gear, which were necessary for launching and recovering aircraft in both combat and training missions.

Propulsion

The USS Cordova was powered by steam turbines, which drove a single shaft capable of producing 8,500 shaft horsepower (shp), or approximately 6.3 megawatts (MW). The vessel was equipped with four boilers operating at 450 psi (3,100 kPa), which provided the necessary power for propulsion. This configuration enabled the carrier to achieve a top speed of 18 knots (approximately 33 km/h or 21 mph), which was typical for escort carriers of the time. The propulsion system was designed for reliability and endurance, allowing the Cordova to support long-range operations in convoy escort missions and other duties in support of naval and air operations.

Armament

The Cordova was originally armed with a variety of weapons designed to provide both anti-aircraft and surface defense. The ship’s primary armament consisted of two 5-inch (127 mm) guns, which could serve dual purposes: anti-aircraft and surface engagement. For additional defense against air threats, the ship was equipped with a combination of eight twin 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns and thirty-five single 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, both of which were standard for escort carriers during World War II. These weapons were intended to defend the ship against incoming aircraft, especially enemy bombers and fighters, while also providing a degree of protection from surface threats. The Cordova’s armament was enhanced in later configurations, with additional 40 mm and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns added as needed.

Fire control and electronics

The USS Cordova, like many other vessels of its class, was equipped with fire control and radar systems to coordinate its defensive capabilities and guide its aircraft operations. The ship utilized radar for both surface and air detection, aiding in the tracking of incoming enemy aircraft and guiding aircraft during launches and recoveries. Fire control systems helped direct the ship's weapons, particularly its anti-aircraft guns, ensuring that they were able to engage enemy aircraft with a high degree of accuracy. Given the operational challenges faced during World War II, the electronic systems on the Cordova were crucial for ensuring the carrier’s effectiveness in both offensive and defensive roles.

Armor

The USS Cordova did not feature extensive armor, as was typical for most escort carriers. The ship was designed to be lightweight and fast, with the primary goal being to provide air support for naval forces rather than to engage in direct combat. Consequently, its hull and flight deck were relatively unprotected compared to larger, more heavily armed aircraft carriers. However, it did have some basic armor in critical areas such as the ship's vital machinery spaces and magazines. The lack of significant armor made the ship vulnerable to torpedo or bomb strikes, and it was one of the reasons why escort carriers like the Cordova were often used in supporting roles rather than in direct confrontation with enemy warships.

Conclusion

The USS Cordova (later HMS Khedive) served as an important part of the Allied fleet during World War II, providing air support for convoys and performing various other roles. While it was not as heavily armed or armored as larger carriers, its flight deck arrangements, propulsion, and armament made it a vital asset in the war effort. Its transfer to the Royal Navy and its eventual decommissioning and scrapping marked the end of its service, but the vessel had played a significant role in naval operations during the conflict.

Service history - Inter-war period

 

  United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Cordova (CVE-39)
  Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Khedive (D62)e

Cordova (ACV-39) was launched 27 December 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Wash.; sponsored by Mrs. A. E. Mitchell. Reclassified CVE-39 on 15 July 1943, Cordova was transferred to the Royal Navy on 25 August 1943, as HMS Khedive. She was returned to United States custody on 26 January 1946 and sold on 23 January 1947 without having had any active service in the U.S. Navy.

 Flight Simulators
 

   IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' Blitz - has no 3D model

   IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad - has no 3D model

   DCS World - has no 3D model

 

USN Top Fighter Pilot by Squadron and Leading Commanding Officer including Unit Total Kills
Squadron # Nickname Start End A/C Carrier/Base Top Ace (kills w/ sqn) CO (kills w/ sqn) Kills # Aces
VF-1 High Hatters Nov-43 Aug-44 F6F Yorktown CV-10 Richard Eastmond (9) B.M. Strean 100 3
VF-2 Rippers Mar-44 Sep-44 F6F Hornet CV-12 Cdr. William A. Dean (10)   240 28
VF-3 Felix the Cat Dec-41 May-42 F4F Lexington CV-2 Butch O'Hare (5) Jimmy Thach 18 1
  May-42 Jun-42 F4F Yorktown CV-5 Elbert McCuskey (5) Jimmy Thach 34.5 1
VF-5 Aug-42 Oct-42 F4F Saratoga CV-3 H. M. Jensen (7) Leroy Simpler 78 4
  Oct-43 Apr-44 F6F Yorktown CV-10 Robert Duncan (7) Ed Owens (5) 93.5 7
VF-6 Shooting Stars Dec-41 Oct-42 F4F Enterprise CV-6 Donald E. Runyon (8) James S. Gray 63 1
VF-6 Aug-43 Feb-44 F6F various CV's Alexander Vraciu (9) H.W. Harrison 37.5 0
VF-7 Sep-44 Jan-45 F6F Hancock CV-19 Lt. Cdr. L. J. Check (10)   72 2
VF-8 Dec-41 Jun-42 F4F Hornet CV-8 Merrill Cook (2) Sam Mitchell 5 0
  Mar-44 Oct-44 F6F Bunker Hill CV-17 Cdr. William Collins (9)   156 13
VF-9 Cat o' Nines Oct-43 Mar-44 F6F Essex CV-9 Hamilton McWhorter (10) Phil Torrey 116 10 est.
  Mar-45 Jun-45 F6F Yorktown CV-10 Eugene Valencia (23) John S. Kitten 129 10 est.
VF-10 Grim Reapers Oct-42 May-43 F4F Enterprise CV-6 Swede Vejtasa (7.25) J.H. Flatley 43 1
  Jan-44 Jun-44 F6F Enterprise CV-6 Richard Devine (8) William Kane 88 5
  Feb-45 Apr-45 F4U Intrepid CV-11 P. L. Kirkwood (8) Walter E. Clarke 87 7
VF-11 Sundowners May-43 Jul-43 F4F Guadalcanal Charles Stimpson (6) Charles White 52 2
  Oct-44 Jan-45 F6F Hornet CV-12 Charles Stimpson (10) E. G. Fairfax 106 5
VF-12 Sep-43 Jun-44 F6F Saratoga CV-3 John Magda (4) R.G. Dose 20 0
  Jan-45 Jun-45 F6F Randolph CV-15 Lt. Cdr. Frederick H. Michaelis (5)   51 2
VF-13 Black Cats Jul-44 Nov-44 F6F Franklin CV-13 Albert Pope (7) Wilson Coleman (6) 86 3
VF-14 Iron Angels May-44 Nov-44 F6F Wasp CV-18 William Knight (7.5) R. Gray 146 8
VF-15 Fighting Aces May-44 Nov-44 F6F Essex CV-9 McCampbell, Duncan, Rushing, Strane, Twelves James Rigg (11) 310 26
VF-16 Fighting Airedales Oct-43 Jun-44 F6F Lexington CV-16 Alexander Vraciu (10) Paul D. Buie (9) 136.5 7
VF-17 Jolly Rogers Oct-43 Mar-44 F4U Solomons Ike Kepford (16) Tom Blackburn (11) 152 11
VF-18 Oct-43 Mar-44 F6F Bunker Hill CV-17 Lt. Cdr. Sam Silber (6)   74 1
  Aug-44 Nov-44 F6F Intrepid CV-11 Cecil Harris (22) Ed Murphy 176.5 13
VF-19 Satan's Kittens Jul-44 Nov-44 F6F Lexington CV-16 William Masoner Jr. (10) T. Hugh Winters (8) 155 11
VF-20 Aug-44 Jan-45 F6F Enterprise CV-6/etc. Douglas Baker (16.33) Fred Bakutis (7.5) 158 9
VF-21 Feb-43 Jul-43 F4F Guadalcanal Ross Torkelson (6) John Hulme 69 3
  Jul-44 Oct-44 F6F Belleau Wood CVL-24 Bob Thomas (5) V. F. Casey 40 1
VF-22 Sep-44 Jan-45 F6F Cowpens CVL-25 Clement Craig (12) Thomas Jenkins 49.5 3
VF-23 Aug-43 May-44 F6F Princeton CVL-23 L.H. Kerr (4.83) H.L. Miller 35 0
VF-26 Apr-44 Oct-44 FM2 Santee CVE-29 Kenneth Hippe (6) Harold Funk 31 1
VC-27 Oct-44 Jan-45 FM2 Savo Island Ralph Elliott (9) P. W. Jackson 61 1
VF-27 May-44 Oct-44 F6F Princeton CVL-23 James Shirley (12) Fred Bardshar (7.5) 134 10
VF-28 May-44 Dec-44 F6F Monterey CVL-26 Oscar Bailey (5) Roger Mehle 55 2
VF-29 Oct-44 Apr-45 F6F Cabot CVL-28 Robert Murray (10.3) William Eder (6.5) 113 12
VF-30 Jan-45 Jun-45 F6F Belleau Wood CVL-24 James Reber (11) Douglas A. Clark 110 7
VF-31 Meat Axers Jan-44 Sep-44 F6F Cabot CVL-28 Cornelius Nooy (19) Bob Winston 165.5 14
VF-32 Outlaw's Bandits Mar-44 Oct-44 F6F Langley CVL-27 Lt. Cdr. Eddie Outlaw (6)   44 2
VF-33 Aug-43 Jan-44 F6F Solomons Frank Schneider (7) Hawley Russell 74.5 3
VF(N)-41 Aug-44 Jan-45 F6F Independence CVL-23 William Henry (9.5) T. F. Caldwell 46 2
VF-42 Dec-41 May-42 F4F Yorktown CV-5 Art Brassfield (4.83) Oscar Pedersen 25 0
VF-44 Crusaders Oct-44 Feb-45 F6F Langley CVL-27 Cdr. Malcolm T. Wordell (7)   47 3
VF-45 Nov-44 May-45 F6F San Jacinto CVL-30 James B. Cain (8) Gordon Schechter 81.5 6
VF-47 Fighting Cocks Mar-45 Aug-45 F6F Bataan CVL-29 Samuel Hibbard (7.33) Albert Clancy 67.5 1
VF-50 Devil Cats Apr-44 Jul-44 F6F Bataan CVL-29 Daniel Rehm (6) J.C. Strange 61 4
VF-51 Apr-44 Nov-44 F6F San Jacinto CVL-30 William Maxwell (7) C. L. Moore 50.5 1
VF-60 Nov-43 Oct-44 F6F Suwanee CVE-27 R. Singleton (3.25) H.O. Feilbach 25 0
VF-72 Jul-42 Oct-42 F4F Hornet CV-8 George Wrenn (5.25) Henry Sanchez 38 1
VF-80 Vorse's Vipers Nov-44 Jan-45 F6F Ticonderoga CV-14 Patrick Fleming (19) Leroy Keith 159.5 10
VF-82 Jan-45 Jun-45 F6F Bennington CV-20 Robert Jennings (7) Edward Hassell 85 5
VF-83 Kangaroos Mar-45 Sep-45 F6F Essex CV-9 Thaddeus Coleman (8) H.A. Sampson 137 11
VBF-83 Mar-45 Sep-45 F4U Essex CV-9 Thomas Reidy (10) Frank Patriarca 91 3
VF-84 Wolf Gang Jan-45 Jun-45 F4U Bunker Hill CV-17 Doris Freeman (7) Roger R. Hedrick 137 4

 

 Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, Washington Map

 

    USS Cordova (CVE-39) citations notes:

  1.  

    USS Cordova (CVE-39) citations:

  1. former officers HMS Khedive
  2. Cocker (2008), p.82.
  3. Cocker (2008), p.79.

    Bibliography:

  • Cocker, Maurice (2008). Aircraft-Carrying Ships of the Royal Navy. Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4633-2.
  • Anderson, Richard M. & Baker, Arthur D. III (1977). 'CV-2 Lex and CV-3 Sara'. Warship International. XIV (4): 291–328. ISSN 0043-0374.
  • Berhow, Mark A., ed. (2004). American Seacoast Defenses, A Reference Guide (Second ed.). CDSG Press. ISBN 0-9748167-0-1.
  • Brown, J. D. (2009). Carrier Operations in World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-108-2.
  • Friedman, Norman (1983). U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-739-9.
  • Friedman, Norman (1984). U.S. Cruisers: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-718-6.
  • Fry, John (1996). USS Saratoga CV-3: An Illustrated History of the Legendary Aircraft Carrier 1927–1946. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0089-X.
  • Lundstrom, John B. (2005). The First Team: Pacific Naval Air Combat from Pearl Harbor to Midway. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-471-X.
  • Lundstrom, John B. (1994). The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-526-8.
  • Nofi, Albert A. (2010). To Train the Fleet for War: The U.S. Navy Fleet Problems. Naval War College Historical Monograph. Vol. 18. Newport, Rhode Island: Naval War College Press. ISBN 978-1-884733-69-7.
  • Polmar, Norman; Genda, Minoru (2006). Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events. Vol. 1, 1909–1945. Washington, D.C.: Potomac Books. ISBN 1-57488-663-0.
  • Rohwer, Jürgen (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (Third Revised ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
  • 'Saratoga V'. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC).
  • Stahura, Barbara (2003). U.S. S. Saratoga: CV-3 & CVA/CV-60 (Revised ed.). Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing. ISBN 1-56311-855-6.
  • Stern, Robert C. (1993). The Lexington Class Carriers. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-503-9.
  • Stille, Mark (2005). US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1922–1945: Prewar Classes. New Vanguard. Vol. 114. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-890-1.
  • Tully, Anthony P.; Casse, Gilbert (March 2012). 'IJN Ryujo: Tabular Record of Movement'. Combinedfleet.
  • Wadle, Ryan David (August 2005). United States Navy Fleet Problems and the Development of Carrier Aviation, 1929–1933 (PDF). College Station, Texas: Texas A & M University.

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Khedive_(D62)
  • Naval History and Heritage Command - https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/long-island-ii.html
  • Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto
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