Force H operations

Force H had been involved with covering Convoy W.S.16 that had sailed from the Clyde. They returned to Gibraltar on 23 February 1942. That setup the opportunity to ferry more aircraft to Malta. Force H sailed with battleship Malaya, aircraft carriers Eagle and Argus, cruiser Hermione, and 9 destroyers. The Eagle had 15 Spitfires which were launched from near Majorca. They all reached Malta. A total of 16 Spitfires were flown in on two more operations, one on 21 and one on 29 March. On the 29th, they had hoped to launch 5 Albacores, as well, but the weather on Malta was too bad. This is based on the account in Vol.III of the Official History.