Japanese aircraft were not alone in using parachute flares during night operations. At Taranto, two Swordfish served as flare droppers so the other torpedo aircraft could see their targets. The sudden bright illumination also hindered anti-aircraft gunners' night vision, making the flare pattern both a targeting aid and a defensive disruption tactic.
Notable Point · 2:51:52-2:52:20
Swordfish flare aircraft at Taranto
A night-attack aside explains how dedicated Swordfish flare aircraft illuminated targets at Taranto and disrupted the defenders' vision.