Perth's eyewitness account credits the morning Swordfish attack with turning the Italian battle fleet away from the cruisers. A torpedo attack required aircraft to approach low and directly through concentrated anti-aircraft fire. The evening attack also left its crews with a difficult flight after releasing their weapons. They had to head toward Crete and find unfamiliar, unlighted aerodromes in the dark. The account reports that they completed the operation successfully.
Notable Point · 33:09-34:46
Swordfish attacks and the return to Crete
Swordfish crews faced concentrated fire during their attacks and a difficult night landing on Crete afterward.