Force X's convoy attack belonged to the wider Taranto operation, which went far beyond Illustrious's carrier strike. HMS Mohawk and the Tribal-class destroyers found darkened ships and opened fire, allowing HMAS Sydney and the other cruisers to join the action. The attack sank four merchant ships and heavily damaged a torpedo boat. It anticipated the convoy interdiction later associated with Force K and demonstrated British cruiser and destroyer trade-warfare doctrine inside waters Italy regarded as a protected naval preserve.
Chapter · 0:37-5:16
Force X carries the attack into the Adriatic
While Illustrious launched against Taranto, Force X pressed into the Adriatic and struck an Italian convoy on a route the Regia Marina regarded as its own waters.