A larger Taranto strike could severely damage at least five Italian capital ships, with several unable to return to service. Dive bombers might also damage Giulio Cesare, although sinking her would require fires to overwhelm Italian damage control, considered unlikely without many hits and suitable armour-piercing bombs. Earlier experience with dive bombers could bring suitable bombs into use sooner, but their availability remains conditional. Reduced Italian capital-ship and cruiser strength would weaken convoy protection to Libya. Alexandria-to-Malta supply runs could become safer, while the Gibraltar route would remain difficult if France still fell. Stronger British naval support and easier supply could then change the campaigns in North Africa and Crete.
Chapter · 3:05:00-3:09:09
A larger Taranto strike reshapes the Mediterranean
More carrier aircraft and a deeper naval aviation establishment could turn Taranto into a far heavier blow, weakening Italian convoy protection and expanding British choices in the Mediterranean.