How effective were the CVLs during WWII?
Very effective, I would say.
The American Independence-class light carriers were converted from hulls that were originally going to be built as Cleveland-class light cruisers. Because of their origins as cruisers, a type of warships known for their speed and range, the Independence-class ships with their long and slender hulls and powerful engines were fast and able to keep up with other full-sized aircraft carriers, fast battleships, cruisers and destroyers. This allowed them to sail as part of a Fast Carrier Task Force, instead of being limited to convoy escort, aircraft transport, anti-submarine warfare or landing support duties like the smaller escort carriers (CVE) were.
Let’s take a look at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944. Four carrier Task Groups were involved, along with a battleship Task Group and a large number of submarines and support vessels. Each carrier Task Group was of similar construction, here’s an example:
Cruiser Division 10 (3CA, 1CL)
Destroyer Squadron 46 (1CL, 14DD in 3 Destroyer Divisions)
The Task Group had a total of 132 F6F-3 Hellcat fighter aircraft, of which the two light carriers contributed 50 (37.9%).
The Task Group had a total of 53 TBF/TBM-1c Avenger bomber aircraft, of which the two light carriers contributed 18 (34.0%)
All carrier aircraft considered, the two light carriers carried with them 68 aircraft, which made up roughly one quarter of the Task Group’s air strength of 266. Not a small portion by any means.
Now light carriers had their own problems, mostly because of their cruiser origins. The long, slender hulls were not exactly the most suitable for aircraft carriers, limiting their hangar and flight deck size. This led to lower aircraft counts and higher accident rates compared to full-sized carriers. The hangar, flight deck and island structure also added a lot of topside weight to the ship’s cruiser-esque hull, limiting their seafaring capabilities.
However, it must be noted that availability was the prime concern when it came to these ships. These Independence-class ships came in large numbers when the US Navy most needed them - 9 of them were commissioned in 1943, basically one in every month from January to November. At that time the US Navy was desperately in need of carriers, after heavy losses in the early years of the war - by the end of 1942, the US Navy had but only two carriers in the entire Pacific, the Saratoga and the Enterprise. The whole point of converting would-be Cleveland-class cruisers into carriers was to put to sea as many aircraft carriers as possible, and in that regard, I would say the Independence-class had achieved their purposes well.
The numbers above are from Barrett Tillman’s Clash of the Carriers.
Fast boats, many new boats when no boats, not the best but who cares anymore. Made up 25% of the carrier force. Good boats 8/10.
stormborns
jacobvanloon
blakekathryn
germansingergirl
janainaart
gummygunk
vaporwave
izzy806
