Two escorting Fulmars failed to launch and two more soon returned with problems; two Albacores also failed. An earlier launch might have allowed Swordfish to join the strike and catch the Stukas at a more vulnerable moment, though this is a retrospective alternative rather than the historical plan. Even the intended twelve-aircraft force was a long shot for an operation that exposed a battle fleet and its understrength carrier. Cunningham would not send Formidable unsupported after the losses of Courageous and Glorious had demonstrated the risk. Aircraft on the ground were only part of the target: damaging maintenance crews and technicians could have reduced German sortie generation for longer.
Chapter · 46:40-55:17
Engine failures shrink the Scarpanto strike
Mechanical failures reduced the dawn attack from its intended twelve aircraft to two Fulmars and four Albacores, exposing the fleet to the very air threat it hoped to suppress.