The Aircraft Carriers Lost in World War II

During World War II, the advantage of aircraft carriers was demonstrated in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In the latter, the United States destroyed a large chunk of Japan’s aircraft carriers, forcing them to abandon their original war strategy. However, the Allied powers and the U.S. didn’t escape unscathed. Several notable aircraft carriers were sunk during the war, each a lasting symbol of how costly World War II had become.

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at some of the critical naval losses suffered by the Allies in World War II. To identify the U.S. and Allied aircraft carriers that were lost in World War II, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed various historical and military sources. We ordered these aircraft carriers chronologically from when they were sunk. We included supplemental information regarding the classification of vessels, aircraft they could house, casualties, and where they were sunk.

Why Are We Covering This?

The aircraft carriers utilized during World War II were the principal platforms for air superiority in battle. They were essential for surveillance and offensive operations. They also served as protective escorts for convoys and fleet movements. The many losses of aircraft carriers during the war illustrate both their vulnerabilities and the indispensable role they played. In addition, the evolution of naval warfare during World War II, with carriers at the forefront, set the stage for modern naval strategies centered around air power.

Here is a look at the U.S. and Allied aircraft carriers that were lost in World War II.

HMS Courageous (50)

• Class: Courageous-class
• Date of sinking: September 17, 1939
• Location: North Atlantic
• Aircraft: 48
• Casualties: 519

HMS Glorious

HMS Glorious (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Hugh Llewelyn

• Class: Courageous-class
• Date of sinking: June 8, 1940
• Location: Norwegian Sea
• Aircraft: 48
• Casualties: 1207

HMS Ark Royal (91)

• Class: N/A
• Date of sinking: November 14, 1941
• Location: Western Mediterranean Sea
• Aircraft: 60
• Casualties: 1

HMS Audacity

• Class: N/A
• Date of sinking: December 21, 1941
• Location: North Atlantic
• Aircraft: 8
• Casualties: 73

USS Langley (CV-1)

• Class: Proteus-class
• Date of sinking: February 27, 1942
• Location: Tjilatjap Harbor
• Aircraft: 34
• Casualties: 319

HMS Hermes (95)

• Class: N/A
• Date of sinking: April 9, 1942
• Location: Indian Ocean
• Aircraft: 20
• Casualties: 307

USS Lexington (CV-2)

• Class: Lexington-class
• Date of sinking: May 8, 1942
• Location: Coral Sea
• Aircraft: 91
• Casualties: 216

USS Yorktown (CV-5)

• Class: Yorktown-class
• Date of sinking: June 7, 1942
• Location: Midway Island
• Aircraft: 90
• Casualties: 141

HMS Eagle (1918)

• Class: Almirante Latorre-class
• Date of sinking: August 11, 1942
• Location: Western Mediterranean Sea
• Aircraft: 30
• Casualties: 131

USS Wasp (CV-7)

• Class: Wasp-class
• Date of sinking: September 15, 1942
• Location: San Cristobal Island
• Aircraft: 76
• Casualties: 193

USS Hornet (CV-8)

• Class: Yorktown-class
• Date of sinking: October 27, 1942
• Location: Santa Cruz Islands
• Aircraft: 90
• Casualties: 140

HMS Avenger (D14)

• Class: Avenger-class
• Date of sinking: November 15, 1942
• Location: Near Strait of Gibraltar
• Aircraft: 15
• Casualties: 516

HMS Dasher (D37)

• Class: Avenger-class
• Date of sinking: March 27, 1943
• Location: Firth of Clyde
• Aircraft: 15
• Casualties: 379

USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56)

• Class: Casablanca-class
• Date of sinking: November 24, 1943
• Location: Butaritan Island
• Aircraft: 28
• Casualties: 702

USS Block Island (CVE-21)

• Class: Bogue-class
• Date of sinking: May 29, 1944
• Location: Canary Islands
• Aircraft: 24
• Casualties: 6

USS Princeton (CVL-23)

• Class: Independence-class
• Date of sinking: October 24, 1944
• Location: Leyte Gulf
• Aircraft: 45
• Casualties: 108

USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73)

• Class: Casablanca-class
• Date of sinking: October 25, 1944
• Location: Samar Island
• Aircraft: 28
• Casualties: 147

USS St. Lo (CVE-63)

• Class: Casablanca-class
• Date of sinking: October 25, 1944
• Location: Leyte Gulf
• Aircraft: 28
• Casualties: 143

USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79)

• Class: Casablanca-class
• Date of sinking: January 4, 1945
• Location: Sulu Sea
• Aircraft: 28
• Casualties: 95

USS Bismark Sea (CVE-95)

• Class: Casablanca-class
• Date of sinking: February 21, 1945
• Location: Iwo Jima
• Aircraft: 27
• Casualties: 318