Somerville's force had Albacores fitted with air-to-surface-vessel radar and a radar-equipped Swordfish whose origin remained uncertain. Possible explanations place the Swordfish ashore or among spares reassembled aboard Indomitable, but neither is confirmed here. Night-capable Fulmars had already shadowed Bismarck in poor weather. In a separate incident, Somerville was reportedly convinced of radar's value when an observer guided his aircraft over Renown through heavy cloud. These capabilities gave the British force a means of finding and attacking Japanese carriers after dark.
Notable Point · 37:20-40:29
Radar and night crews gave Somerville an opening
ASV-equipped reconnaissance aircraft and night-qualified Fulmar crews offered the British force a specialized way to find and strike the Japanese carriers after dark.