Commander Richard Opie III of the US Navy watched the pilots study fresh reconnaissance photographs and the diagrams and charts prepared by Admiral Lister's staff aboard HMS Illustrious. His presence allowed the US Navy to compare carrier-strike theory with an operation being prepared for combat. The account treats his presence aboard a belligerent warship as a serious neutrality risk if the Italians captured him. The briefing gave him access to the preparations for a harbour strike before American entry into the war.
Notable Point · 11:35-13:07
A neutral US Navy observer watches the strike briefing
Commander Richard Opie III observed the briefing aboard Illustrious so the US Navy could compare carrier-strike theory with British operational practice before America entered the war.