Taranto
The Battle of Taranto "changed the face of naval warfare for ever". - Admiral Cunningham. Commander in Chief Mediterranean Fleet at time of Taranto.
Taranto in southern Italy was the Italian Navy's "secure" anchorage. The Italian Fleet posed a major threat to the Royal Navy's attempt to control the Mediterranean.
On the night of November 10th 1940, 21 Swordfish aircraft took off from the aircraft carrier Illustrious, and devastated the Italian Fleet with attacks of bombs and torpedoes.