Taranto Raid

The Taranto Raid, which occurred on the night of November 11-12, 1940, was a significant naval attack by the British Royal Navy against the Italian fleet stationed in Taranto, Italy. Using aircraft launched from aircraft carriers, British bombers targeted and severely damaged Italian battleships in the harbor. This operation demonstrated the effectiveness of naval aviation and shifted naval warfare strategies, showing that aircraft could play a decisive role in battleships' effectiveness. The raid reduced Italy's naval strength and boosted Allied morale, highlighting the growing importance of air power in maritime conflicts during World War II.