AA36312 Fairey Swordfish Mk.I P4154/L4M, Lt(A) H. Swayne RN (Pilot) and Sub Lt(A) J. Buscall RNVR (Observer)

Following Italy’s declaration of war against Britain, the powerful Italian Navy posed a huge threat to British forces across the Mediterranean, and something had to be done. ‘Operation Judgement’ called for Fleet Air Arm Fairey Swordfish to attack the Italian Fleet moored in Taranto Harbour. 

They needed to score a decisive victory, but could a formation of ageing biplane strike aircraft take on one of the most powerful naval fleets in the world? On the night of 11th/12th November 1940, 20 Swordfish armed with either torpedoes or bombs attacked the ships in two waves 20 minutes apart, inflicting significant damage. 

Swordfish L4M crewed by Lt(A) H. Swayne RN and Sub Lt(A) J. Buscall was part of the first wave, second element torpedo attack, lining up on the Battleship Littorio and releasing their torpedo at low level from 400 yards, actually passing through the ships masts during the pullout from the attack, hitting the vessel and causing serious damage. 

Relying on the skill, courage, and determination of a small number of Naval airmen, the raid showed that powerful warships were no match for air power, and that the aircraft carrier and its aircraft would now rule the waves. 

This successful raid was studied closely by Japanese naval commanders in advance of their infamous raid against Pearl Harbor the following year, even though that raid was significantly more powerful in terms of both the number of aircraft and aircraft carriers used.