Mobile air-superiority bubbles and opportunistic strikes

The remaining British fleet carriers became mobile air-superiority bubbles wherever the operational crisis was greatest. Fighters destroyed or drove off reconnaissance aircraft, then disrupted incoming raids even when they could not shoot every attacker down. Strikes followed when a target of opportunity appeared, as in Ark Royal's Swordfish attack on an Italian dam. These jobs often used Victorious, Formidable, or Illustrious where a cruiser carrier or escort carrier would have been preferable. Argus, Eagle, and Furious filled support roles but could still be pressed into the front line when necessity outran the planned force structure.