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November 10th,1940 the British Aircraft carrier H.M.S. Illustrious prepares to make History.The Operation know as MB8 was originally planned using the carrier H.M.S.Eagle who large air group of modified Swordfish Bi-Planes were crewed by the best airman anywhere in the world. Their Torpedo Tactics had kept the Italian fleet safely in their large anchorage at Taranto.

The Italian fleet relying on the Fleet In Being strategy. Safe and secure in their fortified harbor the Italian fleet floats at anchor.This operation was scheduled for October 21,1940"Trafalgar day" and a fitting date as if successful it would have a similar effect. But a fire and the fuel system damage prevented the H.M.S.Eagle from operating.

The air groups were transferred to H.M.S.Illustrious and the operation was scheduled for the night of Nov.11-12. The operation as planned is very dangerous. If found by Italian land based aircraft the H.M.S.Eagle could be attacked. The control of the sea lanes between Europe and Africa are critical.

The attack is planned and in order to reach Taranto the aircraft are modified with additional fuel tanks placed inside and the crew is reduced from 3 to 2. The failure and lose of HMS Illustrious and the fleet crews would be devastating for the Royal Navy, Illustrious is a new carrier and replacing her and the Air group would be difficult.

The Italians are not concerned believing the harbor is to shallow for torpedo attack and the fortifications are well placed around the Stone harbor walls,Inside the Harbor are the best ships, and powerful ships they are.

In Harbor are 6 battleships,9 heavy cruisers,7 light cruisers and 13 destroyers. The constitutes the best ships of the Italian fleet. The Balance of power in the Mediterranean is at stake.

More to come....

The attack was launched around Mid Night of the 11th of Nov. in two attack waves. One aircraft was delayed but did launch and did make a successful attack.The Italian fleet is caught unaware but did respond very quickly considering the night time attack.Flairs were dropped to illuminate the inner and outer Harbors. Bombs and torpedo's were used to good effect as the fuel oil supply tanks were bombed and caught fire further illuminating the scene.

The attack lasted less than an hour,with all aircraft attacking the Italian fleet,but from different directions. This only proves the fact that the RNAC was the best trained in the world.The Italians lost 3 battleships one being a complete lose and two requiring 6months to repair. the lose in men and material were far greater than the British.The british lost two aircraft and 2 men killed and two captured.

This attack sealed the fate of Italian and German troops in Africa. No longer were the ships of the Italian able or willing to press their power in the Med allowing the Royal Navy to secure supply routes to support the African campaign directly without the detour around the cap of good hope and then through the Suez canal .This is a very complicated story and the attack planning actually began in late 1938. A detailed account is available at the following link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taranto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Saxondog