Taranto was more exposed than the German fleet's base at Wilhelmshaven, which made a larger attack on the formidable Italian fleet strategically attractive. The decision still carried risk. The 21 October raid had been postponed after a fire damaged three Swordfish aboard Illustrious, and Cunningham also needed the attack to fit the cover provided by wider operations without advertising British vulnerability. The timing problem was whether to wait again for a more favourable force package or strike while the surrounding operations still concealed his purpose.
Chapter · 31:49-34:10
Taranto's exposed harbour and Cunningham's timing problem
Taranto was the Axis fleet's most exposed major harbour, yet Cunningham still had to balance the chance of a stronger strike against the need to conceal British weakness and cover other operations.