HMS Zanzibar was a Royal Navy escort aircraft carrier during World War II. Originally a merchant ship named SS Empire Audacity, it was converted into an escort carrier in 1942. The ship played a critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic, protecting convoys from German U-boats. HMS Zanzibar carried a mix of aircraft, including Swordfish and Martlet planes, and was involved in convoy operations in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. The ship was also part of the Operation Pedestal convoy to Malta in 1942, where it faced heavy air attacks. In 1943, HMS Zanzibar was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet and took part in operations in support of the Allied landings in Sicily. The ship's service was marked by numerous successful operations and engagements, but it was ultimately torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in September 1943. The sinking of HMS Zanzibar was a significant loss for the Royal Navy, highlighting the dangers faced by escort carriers in wartime operations. The ship's history serves as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifices made by naval personnel during World War II.

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