Battle of Taranto
Taranto harbour, southern Italy
What happened
British Royal Navy aircraft from the carrier HMS Illustrious, under Admiral Andrew Cunningham and Rear-Admiral Lumley Lyster, attacked the Italian fleet of Admiral Inigo Campioni. In World War II, the Italian fleet in the Mediterranean threatened British shipping. On the night of 11 November 1940, 21 old-fashioned Fairey Swordfish biplanes flew from HMS Illustrious and attacked the Italian battleships at anchor in Taranto harbour. They dropped torpedoes despite the shallow water and badly damaged three battleships, losing only two of their own planes.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was an early proof that aircraft launched from ships could knock out a powerful battle fleet. Japanese planners studied the raid before their attack on Pearl Harbor a year later.
What came next
The Swordfish later helped sink the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941.
Did you know?
The Swordfish was nicknamed the 'Stringbag', and despite looking old-fashioned, it sank more enemy shipping than any other Allied aircraft.
Timeline
- 11 November 1940Swordfish biplanes attack the Italian fleet at Taranto.
- 12 November 1940The raid ends, with three Italian battleships disabled.
- May 1941Swordfish torpedoes help bring down the Bismarck.
- 7 December 1941Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.