HMS Ardent

On the 21st of May, Ardent was struck by no less than nine bombs. Three of which exploded. The first two blew up in the hangar, destroying the Westland Lynx helicopter and blowing the Sea Cat launcher into the air before it crashed back down onto the flight deck. The third smashed the aft Auxiliary Machinery Room. Remarkably it did still have some power to its engines. Twenty minutes later three more Skyhawks scored two more hits on the ship's port stern. The fires now spread out of control and Ardent began to slow. Three Mirage aircraft attacked her once more, but scored no hits. This picture show HMS Yarmouth helping evacuate the crew.