How Illustrious was covered during the raid

What escort and wider protection did HMS Illustrious have during Operation Judgment?

Illustrious had cruisers and four destroyers close by, with an additional cruiser force and the Mediterranean Fleet positioned to support or intercept an Italian response.

The carrier was not sent toward Taranto alone. Illustrious had two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and four destroyers in close company. Sydney, Ajax, Orion, Nubian, and Mohawk formed another force positioned to threaten the rear of an Italian sortie. The Mediterranean Fleet waited farther south, ready to close while the cruiser force fell back toward the carrier. The arrangement protected Illustrious while shaping a possible Italian counterattack into the fleet action Cunningham wanted.