Corsairs direct the bombardment at Sabang

Operation Crimson used the carriers chiefly for fighter cover, observation, photography, and fleet protection. Illustrious retained roughly nine Barracudas for anti-submarine patrols while Victorious flew off all of hers to make room for fighters. Illustrious launched twenty-two Corsairs to provide combat air patrol, observe naval gunfire, and photograph the results. Their spotting helped the surface ships deliver an effective bombardment by correcting the aim of the heavy guns. Corsairs also intercepted Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and drove off a later group of fighters.