If Taranto severely weakened the Italian fleet, Britain would have less need for carrier strikes against heavy ships in the Mediterranean. Eagle could remain with an air group concentrated on fleet air defence. Some Swordfish could still provide reconnaissance and anti-submarine support. Ark Royal, and potentially Illustrious, could then return to the North Atlantic to strengthen operations there.
Notable Point · 1:22:40-1:23:39
Eagle's fighter cover could release larger carriers
A crippled Italian surface fleet could let Eagle concentrate on fighter cover while Ark Royal and possibly Illustrious returned to the Atlantic.