A Skua of 803 Squadron from Ark Royal shoots down a Dornier Do 18, recorded here as the first German aircraft destroyed by any British service in the war. Heinkel bombers then attack the fleet near Scapa Flow and concentrate on the carrier. An eyewitness describes unfamiliar aircraft, hurried evasive action, and close-range weapons trying to track the attackers without hitting nearby British ships. Although no hits are scored, a German pilot receives an Iron Cross and promotion for claiming Ark Royal. The ship's temporary separation from the rest of the force then helps turn a failed attack into another mistaken report that she had sunk.
Notable Point · 5:17-8:15
Ark Royal's early air attacks
The review follows Ark Royal from the Fleet Air Arm's first German aircraft kill to repeated false German claims that the carrier had been sunk.