11th/12th Nov. 1940.

[Woodlouse2002]

The attack that inspired Pearl Harbour, and the blow that knocked the Italian Navy out of the Medittereanian war.

12 Swordfish from the carrier Illustrious attack the Italian battleships in the port of Taranto sinking one and damaging two others. Effectively removing half of Italy's naval strenght.

British losses were two Swordfish lost with two men killed and two captured.

"Taranto, and the night of November 11th - 12th, 1940, should be remembered for ever as having shown once and for all that in the Fleet Air Arm the Navy has its most devastating weapon."
Andrew Browne Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope - Admiral

[ozzy72]

Oddly enough I was watching a rather excellent documentary about this the other week, then there was an interview with the last surviving member of the raid in the Oct. edition of Aeroplane. Spooky

[eniranjanrao]

Yea after that guys in forces and the higher ups realized the potential of carrier borne forces before that it was all exprimental.