BATTLE OF TARANTO Meaning and
Definition
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The Battle of Taranto refers to a significant naval engagement that took place during World War II between the British Royal Navy and the Italian Regia Marina. This battle occurred on the night of November 11-12, 1940, and it resulted in a decisive victory for the British forces.
The objective of the British attack was to neutralize the Italian naval fleet based in Taranto, a major naval base located in southern Italy. The British utilized a revolutionary air raid technique known as the "Taranto Taper," which involved launching a surprise aerial assault using carrier-based aircraft.
The attack involved two British aircraft carriers, the HMS Illustrious and the HMS Eagle, which launched a total of twenty Swordfish biplanes armed with torpedoes. These aircraft efficiently targeted the Italian battleships and cruisers anchored in Taranto harbor. The British aircraft successfully incapacitated three of the Italian battleships, severely damaging them and causing significant losses for the Italian fleet.
The Battle of Taranto marked a turning point in naval warfare, as it demonstrated the vulnerability of battleships to aerial attacks. It showcased the potency of carrier-based aircraft against heavily defended naval targets. This battle influenced subsequent naval strategies, particularly by the United States and Japan during the Pacific theater of World War II.
Overall, the Battle of Taranto significantly diminished the power and influence of the Italian Navy, shifting the balance of naval supremacy more favorably towards the British Royal Navy.
