as part of operation torch, "furious" embarked 12 supermarine seafire ibs of 801 squadron, another 12 seafire iics of 807 squadron and nine albacores of 822 squadron to provide air cover for the amphibious landings by the central task force. on the morning of 8 november, "furious"s seafires strafed the vichy french airfield at tafraoui, destroying three aircraft on the ground and shooting down one dewoitine d.520 fighter, the first air-to-air kill by a seafire. eight albacores, escorted by sea hurricanes from two escort carriers, attacked the field at la senia. they were attacked by d.520s as they began their attack dive, but they destroyed 47 aircraft on the ground despite the loss of an albacore from anti-aircraft fire and the loss of three and damage to two more against the french fighters. seafires of 807 squadron from "furious" covered the landings at oran, engaging a flight of d.520s, shooting down three and destroying about twenty aircraft on the ground.