A first-hand account records repeated Italian efforts to locate and attack the British ships before Taranto. Fulmars shot down or drove off SM.79 bombers, forcing others to jettison their weapons without effect. British ships also heard Italian torpedoes self-destructing underwater, while Italian radio claimed success despite no hits. The carrier force therefore reached launch position after enduring active air and submarine opposition.
Notable Point · 2:26:18-2:27:19
Italian air and submarine attacks before the strike
Fulmars disrupted repeated SM.79 attacks while Italian submarine torpedoes self-destructed without hitting the British force.