MB8's crowded operational picture helped conceal the Taranto strike. British convoys and warships were moving in several directions, and Ark Royal's strike on Sardinia damaged Italian reconnaissance capacity while reinforcing the expectation that she was the carrier to watch. The Italians also knew Eagle was in Alexandria, making Illustrious appear to be the only Mediterranean Fleet carrier at sea. Reconnaissance flights over Taranto may have caused suspicion, but the fleet did not react in time. Simultaneous operations made otherwise visible clues harder to interpret before the attack began.
Notable Point · 19:50-22:05
How Operation MB8 concealed the Taranto strike
MB8's many convoys and raids divided Italian attention, while Ark Royal's attack on Sardinia degraded reconnaissance and drew focus away from Illustrious.