Jamie connects British improvisation with the 'make do and mend' attitude he encounters in veterans' accounts and Imperial War Museums recordings. Formidable was sent against the air threat during the Crete evacuation, and fleet carriers entered range of Sicily's land-based fighters to keep Malta supplied. Malta could choke Axis supply to Rommel and support the later move into Italy. At Sakishima Gunto, Illustrious helped interdict kamikazes bound for the forces off Okinawa despite operating on two engines. She could still make the roughly 25 knots needed to launch aircraft in most conditions. Alex uses these risks to renew his criticism of Somerville's conservative choice during Operation C.
Chapter · 1:39:49-1:45:11
Make do and mend as an operational doctrine
British willingness to fight with available forces is illustrated from Crete and Malta to the kamikaze threat off Okinawa.