Across four convoys, Audacity demonstrated how fighters could break the reconnaissance link between Condors and U-boats. Her aircraft shot down Condors and damaged U-131, but doctrine still allowed the carrier to operate outside the convoy screen; a flare revealed her, and U-751's torpedoes sank her with 73 crew killed. The loss taught escorts to protect the carrier when flying operations forced it away from the merchant columns. German reports misidentified the small conversion as an Illustrious-class carrier, distorting their estimate of British carrier numbers after the sinking.
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Audacity's four-convoy combat career
Audacity's Martlets destroyed Condors and helped force U-131's loss before U-751 sank the exposed carrier.