Illustrious was covering convoys during Operation Excess, with additional Fulmars from 805 Squadron bringing her fighter force closer to its intended strength. Maintaining those aircraft depended on Merlin-engine supplies competing with Royal Air Force demands and reaching Alexandria by the long route around Africa. On 10 January 1941, the combat air patrol engaged Italian SM.79s, but damaged aircraft and exhausted fuel or ammunition reduced the available fighters. The remaining pair pursued enemy aircraft about fifty miles from the carrier instead of returning after disrupting the attack. Replacement Fulmars were still taking position when German Stukas arrived, and a bomb hit near the aft lift while more fighters were launching. The sequence shows how pursuit, replenishment, and a gap in patrol cover could expose the ship to a concentrated attack.
Chapter · 27:50-35:20
Illustrious and the layers of carrier air defence
Illustrious's patrol was depleted and drawn away before the Stukas arrived, exposing the carrier while replacement fighters were still launching.