Ark Royal accompanied Force H when Admiral Somerville delivered Britain's demands to the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir. The discussion treats aerial spotting, which supplied targeting information to the British capital ships, as one of carrier aviation's most powerful contributions to a gun action. Fairey Swordfish then attacked Strasbourg as the French ship escaped from the harbour. Two days later, Ark Royal's aircraft struck the already beached Dunkerque again. Spotting and direct attack formed complementary parts of the same carrier mission.
Chapter · 40:09-42:12
Carrier spotting and strikes at Mers-el-Kébir
At Mers-el-Kébir, Ark Royal's aircraft showed how a carrier could extend a battle force's vision and striking reach against ships inside and beyond the harbour.