What happened at the Battle of Taranto?
The attack struck the battle fleet of the Regia Marina at anchor in the harbour of Taranto, using aerial torpedoes despite the shallowness of the water. The success of this attack augured the ascendancy of naval aviation over the big guns of battleships….Battle of Taranto.
| Date | 11–12 November 1940 |
|---|---|
| Result | British victory |
Why was the Battle of Taranto important?
The British torpedo bomber strike on the Italian naval base of Taranto in November 1940 changed the balance of power in the Mediterranean, and set the stage for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Who fought in the Battle of Taranto?
| Battle of Taranto | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Italy |
| Commanders and leaders | |
| Andrew Cunningham Lumley Lyster | Inigo Campioni |
| Strength |
When was the Battle of Taranto?
November 11, 1940Battle of Taranto / Start date
What happened to the Italian Navy in ww2?
After the war, the two surviving ships (as well as several older Italian battleships) were assigned by lot as war reparations to the Allied powers; the United States won Italia, and the British Vittorio Veneto. Both ships were physically returned to Italy, and scrapped in the early 1950s.
What was the flagship of the Italian Navy in ww2?
The Regia Marina
The Regia Marina operated a squadron of four MAS boats on Lake Ladoga during the Continuation War (1941–1944).
What is Taranto known for?
The city is often referred to as the capital of the ancient Magna Grecia, and it wears its Greek heritage with pride. More recently, however, Taranto has been associated with only one thing: the Ilva steelworks, once the largest in Europe.
What happened at the Battle of Taranto in 1940?
He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. The Battle of Taranto was fought on the night of November 11-12, 1940 and was part of the Mediterranean Campaign of World War II (1939-1945). In late 1940, the British became increasingly concerned about Italian naval strength in the Mediterranean.
How many planes were shot down at Taranto?
On the evening of November 11, 1940, 21 obsolete biplanes took off from the British aircraft carrier Illustrious. The aircraft were lumbering Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm; their target: Italian Navy warships anchored at the port of Taranto.
What was the situation at Taranto on November 11?
The situation at Taranto was confirmed on the night of November 11, by an overflight by a Short Sunderland flying boat. Spotted by the Italians, this aircraft alerted their defenses, however as they lacked radar they were unaware of the impending attack. At Taranto, the base was defended by 101 anti-aircraft guns and around 27 barrage balloons.
How was the base of Taranto defended?
The base of Taranto was defended by 101 anti-aircraft guns and 193 machine guns and was usually protected against low-flying aircraft by barrage balloons, of which only 27 were in place on 11 November, as strong winds on 6 November had blown away 60 balloons.