The Allies rapidly responded to "Tirpitz"s redeployment. Norwegian Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) agents in the Kaafjord and Tromsø areas provided reports during the battleship's journey, Egil Lindberg radioing the United Kingdom on 16 October to confirm the ship's arrival at Tromsø. In response to these reports, the British aircraft carrier was dispatched from the Home Fleet's main base at Scapa Flow on 16 October tasked with confirming the location of "Tirpitz". The RAF was also instructed to fly photo reconnaissance sorties over the Tromsø area. As a precaution in case "Tirpitz" was able to conduct combat operations, the battleship was diverted from an impending deployment to the Indian Ocean to reinforce the Home Fleet until its sole battleship, , completed repairs.