Force H, including Ark Royal and Sheffield, and Force F, including Barham, Glasgow and G-class destroyers, left Gibraltar on 7 November. Their movements formed part of the convergence of convoys and warships toward Malta and the eastern Mediterranean. Three Fulmars transferred from Ark Royal to Illustrious through Malta, raising Illustrious's fighter strength to eighteen Fulmars and two Sea Gladiators. The two-seat fighter's navigational capability made the transfer practical at a time when a single-seat fighter would have struggled with the route. Aircraft could thus reinforce another carrier through an intermediate land base without their parent ships meeting.
Notable Point · 1:29:27-1:31:21
Fulmars transfer through Malta to reinforce Illustrious
A three-aircraft transfer through Malta increased Illustrious's fighter strength and demonstrated the navigational value of a two-seat fighter.