The Loss of the HMS Ark Royal

From the Nov. 14, 2013, Second World War Blog by Jeff Williams.

I had just barely heard of this ship before this blog entry.

The sinking of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal on 13 November 1941 was a huge blow to the Royal Navy.  It was sunk by torpedoes from the German submarine U-81.  The following afternoon, fire broke out in the engine room and the ship sank around 6 p.m..

The ship's sinking was the result of Hitler reinforcing his U-boat strength in the Mediterranean following his losses to the Italian supply convoys destined for North Africa.  Rommel, his general there, had pleaded for help to prevent the losses.

At the time of the attack, the Ark Royal was returning from delivering fighter planes to Malta.

The loss of the Royal Ark, Illustrious and Formidable (which was being repaired in the United
Planes from the Ark Royal had attacked the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941 which led to its sinking.

--GreGen

Jock Moffat, 92, Fired Torpedo That Damaged the Bismarck's Rudder

From a 2011 interview.

A Swordfish biplane from the HMS Ark Royal, one of the ships pursuing the German battleship KMS Bismarck, is credited with launching the torpedo that jammed the Bismarck's rudder which spelled the ship's eventual doom.  Jack Moffat is believed to be the last surviving member of the air attack that day against the Bismarck.

"Jock, we got a runner."  After dropping the torpedo, "I got the hell out of there as fast as I could go."

--GreGen