--- EYES ONLY --- FLEET AIR ARM COMMAND --- 12/2/2011 9:30 PM EST

[_AH_Boosher]

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EYES ONLY
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December 12, 1941

FLEET AIR ARM COMMAND to CAG, HMS FORMIDABLE:


Listen up!

Pilots of 810 Sqn and 806 Sqn will be working closely together for this mission, and for that reason we are briefing you together in the same Ready Room. Shut up, grab your pencils and maps, and prepare to write this down, boys.

Here we go: As you know, last year on June 25, 1940, the French capitulated to Germany and their armistice went into effect. One month later, while inspecting the shipyards at Marseille the Germans found the incomplete hulls of two aircraft carriers, both in dry dock and waiting for parts. Kreigsmarine High Command under Doenitz mobilized immediately to bring these ships operational. One ship went to Italy under the name 'Aquila' while the other joined the Kreigsmarine as 'Peter Strasser.' They were launched in April, 1941 and immediately sent on shakedown. Although HMS Formidable and her task force were initially charged with defending the convoys to Capetown, we have been diverted to deal with this threat.

At 1620 hours a Short Sunderland maritime patrol craft operating out of Malta reported that 'Aquila' was moving Northward toward Tunisia, we believe to pick up a new complement of aircraft, possibly Italian copies of the new German carrier aircraft. This cannot be allowed to happen. The Yanks won't be geared up to help us so soon after the strike at Pearl Harbor, so as it stands, the Royal Navy is the ONLY obstacle to the Axis powers controlling the Mediterranean Sea. If they begin operating aircraft carriers we will no longer be able to operate as freely on the water.   

The Swordfish of 810 squadron will be splitting up. The twelve pilots of Flight 1 and their crew will be loaded with torpedos and flares for an assault on the carrier fleet. Five pilots and their crew of Flight 2 must be prepared for a suppressing attack at Pantelleria, the closest Axis airfield, which is likely to scramble when the fleet radios that they are under attack. Two Fulmars from 806 Sqn will be diverted from CAP to aid the strike. Recon photos of your targets are on the board. Make sure to take a look at them before you head to your planes.

Report for further briefing, if time is agreed upon, at 2130 hrs (9:30 PM) EST on Friday, 12/2/2011. Any changes will be noted in an edited cablegram (post).

That is all.

[_AH_Col._Hogan]

Sir, Ann Margret will be performing here from 20:00 to 22:00 this Fri.

Can we hit the dispersal area at 22:00 EST? ... Oh wait a minute, she's only 7 months old. Must be Viet Nam I was thinking of.

See you at 21:30

S!

[_AH_Boosher]

Torp training room open 1 hr prior to mission start!