Approaching Taranto at night in two waves, the Swordfish attacked with torpedoes and bombs after dropping flares to silhouette their targets. Under this cover, HMS Illustrious launched a force of 21 Fairey Swordfish aircraft drawn from 813, 815, 819 and 824 Squadrons at 180nm range. In order to disguise the forthcoming raid, a series of distinct movements was made by warships and merchant vessels to give the impression that standard convoy protection duties were being performed. At the same time, anti-submarine patrols were constantly maintained by the Sea Kings, and special forces parties were inserted onshore. The Sea Harrier squadrons were reinforced with more aircraft and later joined by 10 RAF Harriers based on HMS Hermes, and together these mounted more than 200 ground attack missions. The two carriers launched Combat Air Patrols with Sea Harriers, amounting to more than 1,100 sorties. For six weeks until mid-June 1982, an intensive campaign was fought, with Hermes and Invincible positioned with a screen of escorting warships to the east of the Falkland Islands. HMS Hermes made its first move on May 1, launching 12 Sea Harriers to attack Argentinianheld airfields at Stanley and Goose Green.

The main role for the carriers was, therefore, to establish air superiority to enable a landing force to be disembarked, and to diminish the capabilities of the Argentinian occupying forces. United Kingdom, are just 400nm off the coast of Argentina, from where aircraft could be constantly dispatched to attack the task force.

World of warships operation hermes