The diary starts on September 10th 1941 when H.M.S. INDOMITABLE, a newly completed carrier docked in Liverpool, was making preparations to sail for flying trials followed by a work-up cruise in the West Indies. It covers s the work-up period and the subsequent deployment to the Eastern Fleet where she ferried RAF Hurricanes to bolster the defences of Singapore and Ceylon. During this period in the Indian Ocean the Japanese stacked the fleet and sank nanny famous ships before capturing Singapore. NDOMITABLE took part in the invasion and capture of Madagascar Operation IRONCLAD, before entering the Mediterranean to give air cover for Malta cowboys in operation PEDESTAL. It concludes when the ship reaches Gibraltar for repairs to bomb damage incurred during PEDESTAL.
INDOMITABLE was laid down by Vickers-Armstrong at Barrow-in-Furness, on November 10th 1937 as a modified ILLUSTRIOUS-class aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy. She was launched on March 26th 1940 and was christened by Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston Churchill. She commissioned as H.M.S. INDOMITABLE October 10th 1941. With a Flight deck measuring 680 x 95 ft and two hangars she could operate 48 aircraft; her displacement was 30,530 tons standard; 35,500 tons full laden and could achieve a top Speed of 30 knots. She carried a Crew complement of 1600.
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