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5th June 1938

In a meeting with the representatives of the french navy, The Admiralty concludes that the force de Raide or hunting groups based on the french model are the best possible use of the Royal Navies new Illustrious class aircraft carriers and the new KGV class battleships.

The first hunting group consisting of the aircraft carriers Ark Royal and Furious, the battlecruiser Repulse, the Heavy cruiser Norfolk, the light cruiser Southampton and eight destroyers including two tribal class destroyers.

Rear admiral Lumley Lyster is given command of the *foxhunter* battle group. Part of the work up and tactics the Admiralty give Rear admiral Lumley Lyster the order to carry out a mock strike on the home fleets main anchorage at Scapa Flow.

On the night of the 12th June aircraft from Ark Royal and Furious launch 80 swordfish bi plane torpedo bombers carrying flares simulating bombs and torpedoes launch 250 miles north west of Scapa Flow. The swordfish strike catches the home fleet completely by surprise. The aircraft carrier Courageous along with Hood are sunk and the seaplane carrier Pegasus are mock sunk as well as six destoyers , four cruisers are mock damaged but the anti aircraft guns fire tracers shooting down 12 and damage another 20. At 0200 the swordfish return to the carriers.

When the exercise is concluded it is found that Scapa Flow is undefendable unless RDF, picket ships mines and airfields are created to defend the fleet. The Admiralty concludes that the best way to protect the home fleet is to move them closer to freindly land based fighter cover.
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