Swordfish attack the reconnaissance aircraft that could find the fleet

Nine Swordfish attacked reconnaissance hangars, damaging the buildings and aircraft used to find and track British ships. The selected targets directly threatened the secrecy of the fleet's movements. Destroying those aircraft reduced the information available to Italian commanders before they could direct forces against the carriers. This mission adds a bombing and reconnaissance-denial role to the Swordfish's better-known torpedo attacks. Its ability to change tasks also underlies the comparison with duties later expected of anti-submarine helicopters.