How effective could a second Royal Navy raid on Taranto have been in 1941?
Short answerPotentially much more damaging if Italy reconcentrated and Britain could supply the two carriers and larger air group originally envisioned.
NotesThe answer begins with two conditions: the Italian fleet must concentrate again at Taranto, and the Royal Navy must assemble more than one carrier. The earlier concept had anticipated Courageous and Glorious carrying as many as seventy-two Swordfish between them. The historical attack went in with twenty-one aircraft after one carrier was available and three of its twenty-four Swordfish developed fuel-related engine trouble. A 1941 return might use Albacores as well as a larger carrier group. The comparison shows how a famous success achieved with a small force could still represent a heavily reduced version of the intended operation.