Illustrious completed her Bermuda work-up and a corrective refit on the Clyde before sailing for the Mediterranean with fifteen Fulmars and eighteen Swordfish. Force H escorted her and Valiant into the Mediterranean during Operation Hats. Fulmars claimed five Italian bombers and the carrier's guns accounted for two more aircraft before she met the Mediterranean Fleet beyond Malta. Swordfish from Illustrious and Eagle attacked Rhodes, followed later by a night raid on Benghazi. These operations combined fighter defence with attacks on ports and shipping before Taranto.
Chapter · 38:46-45:08
Illustrious enters the Mediterranean war
After working up at Bermuda, Illustrious entered the Mediterranean under Force H escort and began operations against Italian aircraft and ports.