In Exercise MZ on 18 March 1929, a ten-aircraft attack from Courageous was assessed as scoring two hits on Nelson and one on Rodney, reducing their squadron to eleven knots. Later attacks from Courageous and Eagle reduced the Third Battle Squadron to eight knots, while an attack from Furious left Revenge assessed at two knots. These exercise results suggested that repeated torpedo attacks could restrict fleet movement throughout the day. Flying operations also took Furious away to the south and east, causing concern about her position. Rear Admiral Henry Parker argued that effective air reconnaissance could let the advanced forces remain concentrated while aircraft maintained contact with the enemy battle fleet.
Chapter · 59:45-1:03:56
Exercise MZ demonstrates repeated carrier torpedo strikes
The 1929 exercise assesses repeated torpedo hits that slow battle squadrons and supports using aircraft to maintain contact with the enemy.