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Battle of taranto

By FreeFireGod77

  • 1935

    1935
    The concept for an aerial attack on Taranto was first considered by the Royal Navy.

  • January 1938

    January 1938
    The Royal Navy carried out exercises simulating an attack on Taranto.

  • 1939-1940

    1939-1940
    Tensions in Europe increased leading to the outbreak of World War II.
    Italy declared war on Britain and France on June 10, 1940.

  • Summer 1940

    Summer 1940
    Plans for Operation Judgrent, the code name for the attack on Taranto, were developed by Admiral Andrew Cunningham.

  • October 1940

    October 1940
    Detailed reconnaissance flights over Taranto were conducted to gather intelligence on Italian fleet dispositions and harbor defenses.

  • Early November 1940

    Early November 1940
    The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious arrived in the Mediterranean and joined Admiral Cunningham's Mediterranean Fleet.

  • The attack (November 11-12, 1940)

    The attack (November 11-12, 1940)
    The final preparations were made. Aircraft were armed with torpedoes and bombs.
    A strike force consisting of Swordfish torpedo bombers from HMS Illustrious began taking off at approximately 20:35.