Meeting - Taranto, the sinking of the Italian fleet in WW2.

Speaker: Paul Beaver

Wed 9th September 2020; 7:30 pm

Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Road, Woodcote, RG8 0QY

Due to COVID-19 this Meeting has now been re-scheduled as a BMMHS Virtual Talk

The original Meeting in Woodcote Village hall has been cancelled due to COVID-19. This meeting however has now been re-scheduled as a BMMHS Virtual Talk. Joining Instructions for this BMMHS Zoom Talk will be emailed on the day of the talk.

This month the British Modern Military History Society will be hosting a presentation given by acclaimed historian, broadcaster & author Paul Beaver on:

Taranto - The sinking of the Italian fleet in World War Two.

The Taranto attack is the most celebrated Fleet Air Arm victory since the birth of Naval Aviation. On a single night, a small band of supposedly obsolete aircraft changed the face of the war in the Mediterranean, and proved once and for all the complete supremacy of the aircraft carrier. The iconic aircraft that flew that mission and many more throughout WWII was the Fairey Swordfish, affectionately known as ‘The Stringbag’.
Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two
The raid on Taranto as depicted by a Robert Taylor painting.
Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two

Operation Judgement - a Blueprint for Pearl Harbour

Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two
A Swordfish being loaded with a torpedo on the HMS Illustrious. Image courtesy of Fleet Air Arm Museum

On the night of 11 November 1940, Operation Judgment commenced when twenty-one Fairey Swordfish Biplanes from 813, 825, 819 and three from 824 Naval Air Squadrons launched a devastating attack from HMS Illustrious that changed the face of Naval Aviation and set a blueprint for the Japanese air strike on Pearl Harbour.

The Swordfish Attack

The Swordfish attacked in two waves from HMS Illustrious and each aircraft was fitted with an extra fuel tank for endurance and armed with either 18 inch torpedoes or 250 lbs armour piercing bombs and flares.

Approaching the harbour from the south west at 22:58 hours, the first wave of 12 Swordfish found six battleships, seven heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and eight destroyers at anchor.
Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two
Swordfish landing at sunset. Image courtesy of Fleet Air Arm Museum
As they began their attack, the sky was illuminated by flares and intense anti-aircraft fire. At around midnight, the second wave of nine Swordfish arrived over the harbour from the North West.
Dropping their ordnance, they cleared the harbour and returned to their carrier.
Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two
The raid on Taranto as depicted by a Robert Taylor painting.

British Losses

Of the two Swordfish shot down, the two crew members of the first aircraft were taken prisoner, the other two died in their plane.
By 03:00 the striking force was back on-board HMS Illustrious.

The Fleet Air Arm Raid left the battleship Conte di Cavour sunk and the battleships Littorio and Caio Duilio heavily damaged and they also badly damaged a heavy cruiser.

Royal Navy Success

In one night, the Royal Navy succeeded in halving the Italian battleship fleet and gained a strategic advantage in the Mediterranean

Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two
R.N. Conte di Cavour – Cavour after Taranto’ s air raid 12/11/1940. Image courtesy of Fleet Air Arm Museum

Paul's BMMHS Zoom Talk

As part of the BMMHS Zoom talk series, celebrated author and historian Paul Beaver gave a fascinating talk last about the Fleet Air Arm attack on the Italian fleet in 1940. He described the importance of Malta strategically and how it was vital to stop Axis forces getting supplies to North Africa. Paul gave a detailed insight into how 20 Fairey Swordfish ‘Stringbags’ attacked the ships in the harbour at Taranto flying at altitudes as low as 50ft through extensive defences from aircraft carriers in stormy weather.
Immense damage was caused to the Italian Fleet while Allied losses were remarkably only 2 planes and crew. The skill and bravery of the young crews was exemplary with many receiving awards for this action. This attack greatly hit the morale of the Italians, making them very apprehensive about operations at sea in the Mediterranean.
Many thanks to Paul for an exceptional talk, which was very well received. BMMHS has made a donation to the Navy Wings charity as nominated by Paul.

Biographical notes – Paul Beaver​

The Fairey Swordfish

Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two
Pilot, Observer & TAG in Swordfish. Image courtesy of Fleet Air Arm Museum
Taranto the sinking of the Italian fleet in World war Two
Pilot, Observer & TAG. Image courtesy of Fleet Air Arm Museum

The Swordfish was one of the most successful aircraft in the history of naval air warfare. It sits at the heart of the nation’s naval aviation heritage and its importance to the Royal Navy and the nation is profound. Between 1939 and 1945, Swordfish saw active service worldwide, pursuing the enemy afloat and ashore in every theatre of the war, between the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, the Equator and the Arctic Circle. The success of the Swordfish came from its versatility, though it is best known for the major role it played in defeating the U-boat threat in the Battle of the Atlantic. Swordfish aircraft operated from escort carriers, patrolling in the mid-Atlantic gap, helping keep U-boats submerged and providing vital air cover for the convoys.

Source: Navy Wings

Battle of Taranto
Swordfish at The Battle of the Atlantic

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