DATE | EVENT |
September 1939 | Operated in the NW Approaches. |
October 1939 | With Force K at Freetown. |
November 1939 | Captured German ship UHENFELS. |
December 1939 | Blockaded Graf Spee at Montevideo. |
February 1940 | Operated in S. Atlantic. |
March 1940 | Transferred to Mediterranean. |
April 1940 | At Malta. Then returned to the UK and took part in the Norwegian campaign at ANDALSNES and MOLD. |
May 1940 | Covered landing of troops at NARVIK. |
June 1940 | Covered evacuation of Norway then joined Force H at Gibraltar. |
July 1940 | Took part in the Oran attack (Operation CATAPULT) and covered aircraft delivery to MALTA (Operation HURRY). |
August 1940 | Raided CAGLIARI (Operation SMASH and GRAB) and covered Operation HATS. |
September 1940 | Raided PORT ELMAS and was with the DAKAR Force (Operation MENACE) which attacked the French Battleship RICHELIEU. |
November 1940 | Covered Operation COAT to Alexandria. Attacked ELMAS and CAGLIARI (Operation CRACK). Covered aircraft delivery to MALTA (Operation WHITE). Covered Operation COLLAR and took part in the Battle of SPARTIVENTO. |
December 1940 | Escorted merchant ships from MALTA (Operation HIDE). |
January 1941 | Covered MALTA Convoy EXCESS. |
February 1941 | Raided TIRSO DAM in Sardinia (Operation PICKET). Flew mine laying operations off SPEZIA during the bombardment of GENOA (Operation GROG). Despatched to the Atlantic to defend Convoy SLS65. |
March 1941 | Searched for SCHARNHORST and GNEISNAU in Atlantic. |
April 1941 | Thrice ferried aircraft to MALTA (Operations WINCH, DUNLOP and SALIENT). |
May 1941 | Covered the TIGER Convoy (Gibraltar to Alexandria). Delivered aircraft to MALTA (Operation SPLICE). |
May 1941 | In action against the BISMARCK. Her Swordfish aircraft made the torpedo hit which crippled the Bismarck's steering and led to her timely end. |
June 1941 | Ferried aircraft to MALTA four times (Operations ROCKET, RAILWAY 1 and 2, and TRACER). |
July 1941 | Covered MALTA Convoys SUBSTANCE and STYLE. |
August 1941 | Raided SARDINA and covered MANXMAN mine laying off LIVORNO. |
September 1941 | Ferried aircraft to MALTA (Operation STATUS). Covered MALTA Convoy HALBERD. |
October 1941 | Ferried aircraft to MALTA (Operation CALLBOY). |
November 1941 | Torpedoed by German submarine U81 off Gibraltar whilst returning from MALTA after delivering aircraft (Operation PERPETUAL). Ark Royal was taken in tow but sank the next day, the 14th November 1941. |