Conte di Cavour, Caio Duilio, and Littorio suffered major underwater damage. Cavour's torpedo opened a hole about 12 by 8 metres, while Duilio's measured about 11 by 7 metres. Delayed permission to beach Cavour may have allowed flooding to worsen, and she never returned to Italian service; Duilio was saved by being run aground. Updated British intelligence on anchorages, nets, and approach tracks helped a force of only twenty-one aircraft place its weapons effectively. Taranto and Cape Matapan still did not destroy the Italian fleet, which remained dangerous. Ark Royal was conducting a diversion elsewhere, and a stronger Skua dive-bomber component could have improved the bomb attack. The payoff was temporary operational freedom and a more manageable Mediterranean balance.
Chapter · 41:33-46:38
Historical damage and Taranto's operational payoff
Five torpedo hits disabled three Italian battleships, buying the Royal Navy time without permanently eliminating the Regia Marina.