A Swordfish attack run at Taranto

John Wellham's recollection follows a Swordfish approaching Taranto through moonlight, smoke, and anti-aircraft fire, with reconnaissance photographs helping the crew recognize the harbour. The plan was to descend behind the balloon barrage and turn so that the battleships lay broadside, with another ship behind the intended target if a torpedo missed. Before the attack, his observer Pat suggested setting a return course of about 135 degrees in case he became unable to navigate. A balloon cable struck the aircraft during its dive, partially jammed the controls, and nearly sent it into the city. Wellham recovered above the water, turned towards a battleship, and released his torpedo while holding the damaged aircraft in a skid. Losing the torpedo's weight made the Swordfish rise into gunfire, and another hit followed before the crew escaped at low level. Pat then recovered his scattered navigation equipment and worked out a course for HMS Illustrious. Because the persistent skid made the pilot's magnetic compass suspect, they compared it with the observer's compasses and set an average heading on the gyro. The engine instruments remained healthy enough to attempt the return, which the crew completed.