HMS Puncher (D79) was an Attacker-class escort aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy during World War II. Originally built as a merchant ship, she was converted into an escort carrier to support convoy operations. The ship was commissioned in 1943 and served in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. HMS Puncher was involved in anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties, contributing to the Allied efforts during the war. She was also part of Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of Southern France in 1944. Following the war, the carrier was returned to the United States in 1946 and subsequently sold for scrap in 1947. HMS Puncher played a significant role in naval operations during World War II, showcasing the importance of escort carriers in supporting convoy protection and military campaigns in various theaters of the conflict. Her service history reflects the adaptability and versatility of these vessels in fulfilling critical roles in naval warfare during the 20th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.