Q&A · 15:20-15:45

Formidable and Unicorn used carrier guns in surface actions

Formidable joins Unicorn as an example of a Royal Navy carrier using its guns in circumstances outside the usual carrier role.

Aircraft Carriers Battle of Cape Matapan HMS Formidable HMS Unicorn Royal Navy

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Question

Was Unicorn the only Royal Navy carrier to use her guns in an unusual surface action?

Short answer

No; Formidable also fired her guns while engaging ships at Cape Matapan.

Notes

Formidable engaged ships and fired her guns at the Battle of Cape Matapan. Her experience, along with Unicorn's, shows that British carriers could be drawn into direct surface action outside their usual aviation role.