Illustrious withdrew at speed because the returning crews could not yet know precisely what their torpedoes had hit. Reconnaissance photographs later showed damaged battleships and oil, while the Italians moved mobile ships such as Vittorio Veneto to Naples. Official accounts cite bad weather for cancelling a second strike, whereas aircrew recollections emphasize exhaustion, danger, and Admiral Lyster's reluctance to send them back. A repeat attack might have prolonged existing damage, but it promised diminishing returns against an alerted enemy after the mobile ships had left. Preserving scarce aircrew for later operations offered the stronger case.
Notable Point · 11:27-16:00
Why a second strike at Taranto was not pursued
The possibility of another night strike depended on reconnaissance, aircraft fatigue, Italian dispersal, and whether more damage justified exposing scarce aircrew again.