Illustrious and Indomitable were assigned to Ironclad, while Formidable appears to have been nearby with the Eastern Fleet and able to reinforce them against Japanese intervention. The aircraft roster appears to have included Martlets, Fulmars, Sea Hurricanes, Albacores, and Swordfish across those carriers and Albatross, although the detailed squadron allocation remains uncertain. Even with those uncertainties, the force had deep air cover against a modest local threat and could respond to a larger Japanese move. HMS Albatross could preserve aerial scouting, warning, and spotting if the fleet carriers had to move. HMS Erebus likewise kept heavy naval gunfire available ashore if the battleships departed to meet a Japanese force.
Notable Point · 20:24-24:17
Carrier air groups and fallback support
Carrier fighters and strike aircraft covered the assault, while Albatross and Erebus preserved reconnaissance and gunfire support if the fleet had to move.