How many bombs did the Illustrious take on 10 January 1941?

Short answer

Six, according to its commanding officer's report, plus several near misses. The attack was launched by 43 Ju 87 dive bombers, and one of the bombs wrecked the hangar and destroyed nine Swordfish and five Fulmar. Even so, the Illustrious reached Malta at 21:30 that same night.

Published: November 6, 2026 · Updated: November 6, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many bombs did the Illustrious take on 10 January 1941?

HMS Illustrious (AWM 302415)

The Stuka attack

On 10 January 1941, 43 Ju 87 dive bombers of the B and R versions, from I/StG 1 and II/StG 2, with a detachment from StG 3, were launched against the carrier. According to the report of its commanding officer, preserved in the British file ADM 267/83, the Illustrious received six hits and several near misses.

Six hits

The figure of six matches the German account of the attack and the chronologies of the war that summarise it. Some accounts put the figure at five because they count separately a bomb that fell very close to the ship, but the commanding officer's report, written on board, puts the count at six.

Damage on board

A bomb that hit a lowered lift caused major destruction in the hangar, with many casualties among the aircraft maintenance personnel, and destroyed nine Swordfish and five Fulmar. Noxious fumes escaped from bursting oxygen bottles and from burning battery acid.

The arrival at Malta

The carrier arrived at Malta at 21:30. It slowly eased alongside the dockyard wall until it came to a stop beside it. By the time it left the island, the toll stood at 126 dead and 91 wounded. To regain its full combat capability, it had to pass through shipyards in the United States.