Dangerous Missions

This episode of " Dangerous Missions of World War II " details the attack on the Italian port of Taranto, by offshore British aircraft carriers. Operation "Judgment "was an all British plan to attack the Italian port of Taranto, by aging swordfish torpedo planes. The Italian Regia Marina's (Italian Royal Navy) main port rested on the arch of the boot of the Italian mainland. Defended by a capable anti-aircraft defense, Taranto lacked any early warning radar. On November 12th 1940, 21 swordfish Bi-planes, launched from the HMS Illustrious, attacked the main Regia Marina battleships moored in the Port of Taranto. For the loss of just two swordfish, the Royal Navy damaged 3 Italian battleships. The remaining Regia Marina escaped to the Port of Naples. This small raid shifted the balance of power in the Mediterranean to the British. The raid on Taranto had far reaching effects around the world. The Japanese Navy (IJN) was deeply impressed by this small, but effective raid. The Taranto raid was the impetuous for the later plan to attack Pearl Harbor. The IJN in the Pearl Harbor attack sunk or damaged 8 American battleships with 384 aircraft.