HMS Ark Royal, one of the most prominent aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy, was struck by a torpedo fired from the German submarine U-81 on November 13. The Ark Royal was undertaking operations in the Mediterranean Sea, tasked with ferrying aircraft to support British forces on the island of Malta. The attack came as the British sought to maintain their air presence over the strategic island, which was under siege by Axis powers. The submarine’s commander, Kapitänleutnant Ernst Schreiber, executed a proficient attack during the night, effectively striking the aircraft carrier amid her crucial mission. Despite successfully launching Scimitar fighter aircraft, Ark Royal was left critically damaged as water flooded compartments.

Following the strike, the crew made valiant efforts to control flooding and stabilize the ship. However, the damage resulted in an irretrievable situation that led to hopeless flooding. The decision to abandon ship was made by Captain A. M. L. H. D'Arcy, as the carrier began listing dangerously. As the crew took to life rafts, the legacy of Ark Royal's service during the Battle of the Atlantic and various Mediterranean operations was momentarily overshadowed by this loss.

The sinking of HMS Ark Royal marked a significant moment in naval warfare during World War II, highlighting the vulnerabilities of even the largest warships to submarine threats. While initially manageable, the carrier's sinking reflected the changing dynamics of sea power and the importance of anti-submarine warfare in future naval strategies.