Word: decking
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...from the north at 18,000 feet. In an instant the Illustrious was achurn. Over the loudspeaker system brassed the marine bugler's warning, the boatswain's call: "All hands to action stations." Gun crews jumped to their pompoms. Pilots raced for their planes. Down the deck roared the first flight of Fairey Fulmar fighters, bouncing up into the sky. Behind them the rest stood ready, propellers ticking over...
High above, the Stukas wheeled, broke up into sections of three and peeled off downward in screaming, vertical dives. Just as the British planes left the deck, the first Stuka dived through the crashing anti-aircraft fire, let go and flattened out. In a searing flash, a 1,000-pounder blew a hole in the flight deck to starboard, smashing planes about to take off in the next flight, causing heavy casualties among the mechanics servicing them. Another tore through the side plate, another plunged close by into the sea, its bursting fragments spattering the crew of one pompom...
...that first smashing attack the Nazis had accomplished what every carrier's commander most fears: With his flight deck immediately out of service, fighter planes could not go up for protection, and Rear Admiral Arthur Lumley St. George Lyster had no defense but his anti-aircraft and the few fighters already in air. Those aloft could not return for refueling, would have to use an air base at Malta. The attack was a great deal more severe than a previous attack on the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, pictures of which last week reached the U. S. (see cuts...
...which hides the pursued, but also hides the pursuer. It is under the dark, heaving water; and even in the air, electric with the radio waves that may mean safety, may mean destruction. And there are terrifying shots-the sinking of a submarine, shells bursting on deck armor that squirts and sizzles like a thousand molten firecrackers...
...terror alone could not make Convoy a great war picture. What makes it great is the picture's climax. The seamen stand grimly watching Captain Armitage pace the deck, trying to decide whether to take on the pocket battleship Deutschland with his outclassed cruiser. Battle means almost certain destruction. Suddenly the Captain says he has decided to fight. The men stop gnawing their lips, break into grins...