The Royal Navy launched the first ship-to-ship naval air attack in history, employing 21 Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. This attack was against the Italian Fleet in the harbor at Taranto, Italy November 11, 1940. Just before midnight, the first of two waves of biplanes, swept down on the anchorage at Taranto. The first two aircraft dropped flares to illuminate and backlight the Italian ships in the harbor. Close behind them came more Swordfish dropping torpedoes and bombs. In just over an hour the attackers sank or severely damaged three of the battleships, two cruisers, two destroyers, and assorted other targets. Two of the Swordfish were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. In the House of Commons, Prime Minister Winston Churchill proclaimed that the loss to Italy of half its battleships “affects decisively the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean.”

This is a limited first edition print by Robert Taylor titled Swordfish Attack at Taranto signed by the artist Robert Taylor, vice-admiral Sir Richard Janvrin KCB, DSC, and Commander Charles Lamb DSO,DSC, RN (Retd.). This fabulous print is in pristine condition and is as photographed.

This is print 492/500.

24” width x 20” Height

*This does NOT come with certificate of authenticity