The raid used bright flares and attacks elsewhere in the harbour to direct defenders' attention away from the main approach. Concealment can come from making an opponent look in the wrong place, even when the attacker is still visible. The illuminated and unilluminated areas of the harbour complicated visual detection for gunners. Taranto illustrates how a night strike could combine lighting, bombing, and approach geometry to create an opening for slower aircraft.
Notable Point · 3:45-5:53
Misdirection as the night attack's key weapon
Flares and diversionary bombing made it harder for Taranto's gunners to find the torpedo aircraft coming through the dark.