The Battle of Taranto was a naval battle of World War II. In this battle, the Royal Navy launched the first aircraft carrier strike in history against the Italian fleet at Taranto. The battle was a decisive British victory.
The Italians, who wanted to cut the British naval lifeline to Africa, were reluctant to risk their fleet in open battle with the British. They preferred to keep them safely moored in port, employing the theory of a "Fleet in Being" — the threat of them coming out was enough to force the British to be conservative.
Operation Judgement
The British, frustrated with the potential for an Italian attack on their supply lifelines, launched Operation Judgement — a surprise attack using Swordfish torpedo bombers from HMS Illustrious on the night of November 11, 1940.
Twenty-one Fairey Swordfish biplanes attacked in two waves, armed with torpedoes, bombs, and flares. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, the attackers struck three Italian battleships: Conte di Cavour (sunk at her moorings), Caio Duilio (heavily damaged), and Littorio (heavily damaged).
Results and Significance
The attack shifted the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean decisively in Britain's favor at the cost of only two aircraft lost. Half the Italian battle fleet was put out of action in a single night.
The Battle of Taranto demonstrated that aircraft carriers could project decisive striking power against capital ships in harbor. The Japanese Navy studied the battle closely when planning the attack on Pearl Harbor thirteen months later.