In this Pacific War Podcast Craig tells Justin the story of the Battle of Taranto, the British surprise attack against the Italian Navy in 1940.

The Battle of Taranto took place on the night of November 11-12, 1940 and was a pivotal naval engagement during World War II. It marked the first significant victory for British naval aviation and demonstrated the effectiveness of aircraft carriers in modern naval warfare.

At the time of the battle, Italy  had a significant naval presence in the Mediterranean. The Italian fleet, anchored at the port of Taranto, posed a threat to British naval operations in the region. The British Admiralty devised a plan to neutralize this threat by launching an aerial attack using carrier-based aircraft from the HMS Illustrious and HMS Eagle.

Under the command of Admiral Andrew Cunningham, the British Fleet Air Arm launched a daring nighttime raid on the Italian naval base at Taranto. The attack was led by Fairey Swordfish biplanes, which were slow and outdated but capable of performing night attacks. The Swordfish aircraft were armed with torpedoes modified to run in shallow waters, suitable for attacking ships in harbor.

The British strike force, consisting of 21 Swordfish aircraft, approached Taranto under the cover of darkness. Despite facing heavy anti-aircraft fire from Italian defenses, the British pilots pressed on with their attack. They skillfully navigated the narrow confines of the harbor and launched their torpedoes at the Italian battleships and cruisers anchored there.

The results of the attack were devastating for the Italian fleet. The British torpedoes struck the battleships Conte di Cavour, Littorio, and Caio Duilio, causing severe damage and sinking the Conte di Cavour. Additionally, several other ships were damaged, and the port facilities suffered significant destruction. The success of the raid demonstrated the vulnerability of battleships to aerial attack and highlighted the effectiveness of carrier-based aircraft in naval warfare.

The Battle of Taranto had far-reaching consequences for the balance of power in the Mediterranean. It significantly weakened the Italian Navy's ability to challenge British naval supremacy in the region and forced Italy to adopt a more defensive posture. The success of the British raid also served as a blueprint for future carrier-based operations and influenced naval strategies throughout World War II.