Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:53:23-1:57:17

Why Taranto did not make Italian battleships irrelevant

Taranto was a highly specialized British carrier strike rather than proof that Italy's battleship fleet was inherently ineffective.

Aerial TorpedoesBattle Of TarantoFleet Air ArmRegia Marina
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Question

Did the damage inflicted at Taranto show that Italy's large battleships were not a serious naval capability?

Short answer

No; Taranto was a difficult, specialized operation, and several damaged battleships were recovered and returned to service.

Notes

Operation Judgement was neither easy nor a generic demonstration that any aircraft could neutralize battleships in harbor. British Swordfish used torpedoes adapted for shallow water, including fins and a restraining arrangement that many observers did not appreciate. Several damaged Italian ships were recovered and returned to service. The attack reduced Italian strength without erasing the Regia Marina's balanced fleet.