How many RFA ships were lost in the Second World War?
Short answerMany were lost, but an exact total is disputed because owned, hired, and temporarily chartered vessels had different status.
NotesAn exact loss total is difficult because the wartime RFA expanded through several legal and administrative routes. Some vessels were permanently procured, others hired for the war, and still others chartered for a particular operation. A ship might sink after its charter had expired, creating disagreement over whether it belonged in the RFA total. Fleet-support statistics therefore depend on definitions as well as wreck records.