Why British aerial torpedoes suited Taranto's shallow water

The famous Japanese surface-launched Long Lance differed from the smaller torpedoes an aircraft could carry. For Taranto, the important comparison is between aerial weapons and their entry into shallow water. British torpedoes used a tension wire at the nose and stabilizing devices at the rear so the weapon entered nearly level and began its run without a deep dive. A conventional Japanese aerial torpedo would be more likely to bury itself in the harbour mud under the same conditions. A modest launch accessory can determine whether an otherwise capable weapon fits a particular target environment.