Ark Royal's earlier attacks damaged stores and killed or injured aircraft fitters and maintainers. A replacement airframe could be built, while the loss of an experienced technician affected the many aircraft that person helped keep operational. Missing stores compounded the shortage of skilled labour and restricted the ability to launch further sorties. A comparison with the Falklands campaign recalls the improvised engineering needed to keep helicopters and Sea Harriers flying under operational pressure.
Notable Point · 4:59-6:33
Why lost maintainers and stores reduced Italian air operations
Ark Royal's attacks damaged the personnel and supplies needed to keep reconnaissance aircraft flying, extending their effect beyond destroyed airframes.