Above: A Swordfish of 835 Squadron being brought up from the hanger deck. © IWM (A 16649)

Below: THe aircraft is prepared for take-off as its torpedo is checked. © IWM (A 16647)

Rescue Motor Launch 544 moored alongside BATTLER, probably on the Clyde during the carrier's work-up period. †

HMS Battler in Grand Harbour Malta, September 1943 with a deck full of Seafire L.IIcs belonging to 807 and 808 squadrons during Operation AVALANCHE.

Below: Admiral Vian addresses the ships' company at Malta. †

Above: Ships of Force V seen from HMS BATTLER during operation AVALANCHE. The larger carrier in the center is HMS UNICORN. †

Above: MS STALKER and other vessels of TF 88 seen from BATTLER †

HMS BATTLER leads the carriers HUNTER, ATTACKER and STALKER Off the Italian coast †

Above: Ships of the invasion force seen from HMS BATTLER during operation AVALANCHE. †

Above:

Above: Lecture by Squadron PHT to air crews in the ready room© IWM (A 21643

Above: Fighter Direction personnel closed-up© IWM (A 21661)

Above: Seafire pilots of 834 Squadron with the Fighter Director Officer © IWM (A 21613)

Above: The Air Staff officer briefing observers in the air plot room before they set out on an anti-submarine patrol © IWM (A 21602)

Above: Two pilots of 834 Squadron standing by the nose of a Supermarine Seafire on the flight deck of HMS BATTLER . The barrels and part of the breech of one of the twin 40 mm Bofors guns can be seen in the background. © IWM (A 21600)

Above: Damaged Seafires on the deck of BATTLER after the AVALANCHE operations.

Meteorological Officer taking a sight with a pilot balloon and theodolite © IWM (A 21601)

Above & below: MTB 307 acting as a plane guard/rescue boat for carriers of Task Group 88 in the Aegean © IWM (FL 8591).

†

 A rescued pilot is transferred back on board BATTLER from MTB 307 via a rope ladder at Bizerta.†