Somerville had already seen an air-to-surface radar set guide an aircraft directly over his flagship Renown through heavy cloud. That demonstration convinced him that radar-equipped aircraft could search when human vision and ordinary navigation could not. The Eastern Fleet gathered Albacores and at least one Swordfish with the equipment for its planned night interception. The aircraft still had uneven readiness, but the sensor turned darkness from concealment alone into a potential British targeting advantage. Common exercise procedures then helped the hastily assembled ships use that specialized capability together.
Notable Point · 1:05:50-1:08:03
Air-to-surface radar made a night search practical
Radar-equipped Albacores and Swordfish gave the improvised Eastern Fleet a way to find ships through cloud and darkness before attacking.