After Illustrious was damaged, Eagle concentrated nine Fulmars, five Sea Gladiators, and six Swordfish for fleet air defence. She later moved through the Suez Canal and escorted a convoy with Nelson before hunting German support vessels in the South Atlantic with cruiser protection. Swordfish bombed the tanker Lothringen before it was captured and helped sink the Elbe. A September 1941 hangar fire killed a mechanic. The ship escaped damage, but saltwater used against the fire again harmed the Swordfish air group.
Chapter · 1:09:08-1:12:49
Fleet air defence, South Atlantic raiders, and a hangar fire
Eagle defended the Mediterranean Fleet, hunted German supply ships in the South Atlantic, and suffered a hangar fire whose suppression again damaged her Swordfish.