Taranto was not an open anchorage waiting undefended for the Swordfish. Fortified islands covered the approaches, while anti-aircraft barges added firing positions inside the harbour. Barrage balloons obstructed the attack lanes, and every concentrated warship contributed more guns. The physical layout forced the aircrews to solve several defensive layers during the same low-level approach.
Notable Point · 1:37:36-1:38:33
The layered air defences around Taranto
Fortified islands, gun barges, barrage balloons, and the concentrated fleet made Taranto a layered defended target.