Ark Royal's carrier aviation, Renown's heavy guns, cruisers, and destroyers allowed Force H to operate as a powerful fast task group. Its air group of Fulmars, Skuas, and Swordfish gave the formation reach beyond the gun line, but Cape Spartivento still confronted it with Giulio Cesare and Vittorio Veneto. Modernizing Repulse instead of Royal Oak might have supplied Somerville with a second fast capital ship. Retaining Courageous or Glorious, or delivering the Illustrious class without delay, could likewise have produced a multi-carrier force with more options against the Italian fleet.
Notable Point · 6:38-8:31
Force H as an early fast carrier task group
Force H combines Ark Royal, Renown, cruisers, and destroyers in a prototype fast carrier group, but its limited capital strength constrains action at Cape Spartivento.