What might the United States have changed if it had taken the right lesson from Taranto?
Short answerIt could have improved radar and air-defence readiness, dispersed ships, and planned seriously for a carrier attack rather than concentrating on sabotage.
NotesMore than a year separated Taranto from Pearl Harbor, leaving time to act on the demonstration. A serious defensive response might have accelerated radar readiness, increased air-defence alertness, dispersed ships, or avoided mooring arrangements that trapped vessels together. An American observer aboard Illustrious reported on the raid, but he was posted to Iceland while senior leaders rejected conclusions they did not want to hear. American commanders continued to emphasize sabotage risk and discounted the possibility of a large carrier strike despite their own interwar exercises against Pearl Harbor. These precautions could have reduced vulnerability, although they would not have guaranteed victory.