Battle of Taranto

On the night of 11/12 November 1940 (during World War 2) the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm carried out the first carrier-launched air strike against an enemy fleet.
Twenty one Swordfish torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier Illustrious, attacked the Italian navy's battle fleet at anchor in the harbour of Taranto.
Through a barrage of anti-aircraft fire and balloons, the Royal Navy's Swordfish devastated the Italian fleet.  Two Swordfish were shot down. Two crew lost their lives and two were captured and taken prisoners by the Italians.
Admiral Cunningham, Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean fleet said the attack "...had changed the face of naval warfare for ever".
The success of the attack marked the beginning of the rise of naval aviation, over the big guns of battleships and inspired the Japanese attack on the American Fleet at Pearl Harbour.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Taranto, the Taranto Exhibition has been updated with a new audio visual presentation and exhibits including the wheel of HMS Illustrious and two Distinguished Service Crosses and other service medals of many of the airmen who took part.