Export your learner materials as an interactive game, a webpage, or FAQ style cheatsheet.
Unsaved Work Found!
It looks like you have unsaved work from a previous session. Would you like to restore it?
Total Categories: 5
The Battle of Taranto, a naval engagement in late 1940, is recognized as the first instance of an all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack.
Answer: True
The Battle of Taranto, occurring on 11/12 November 1940, is historically significant as the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack, utilizing Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers.
During the Battle of Taranto, Admiral Inigo Campioni commanded the British naval forces, while Admiral Andrew Cunningham led the Italian fleet.
Answer: False
Admiral Andrew Cunningham commanded the British naval forces, and Admiral Inigo Campioni led the Italian naval forces during the Battle of Taranto.
The primary target of the British attack at Taranto was the Italian Royal Navy's battle fleet, which was anchored in the harbor of Naples.
Answer: False
The primary target of the British attack was the *Regia Marina*'s battle fleet, anchored in the harbor of Taranto, not Naples.
The Battle of Taranto was an isolated engagement and not part of any larger World War II campaign.
Answer: False
The Battle of Taranto was an integral part of the larger Battle of the Mediterranean campaign during World War II.
The Italian *Regia Marina*'s First Squadron had been based at Taranto since the start of World War II.
Answer: False
The Italian *Regia Marina*'s First Squadron had been based at Taranto since long before the First World War, not just since the start of World War II.
Italy's entry into World War II forced British convoys to Egypt to take a shorter, more direct route through the Mediterranean.
Answer: False
Italy's entry into World War II forced British convoys to take a much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the threat from the Italian navy and air force in the Mediterranean.
The Italian naval philosophy of a 'fleet in being' meant they were eager to engage the Royal Navy in battle to prove their strength.
Answer: False
The Italian 'fleet in being' philosophy meant they were reluctant to engage the Royal Navy in battle, prioritizing the preservation of their irreplaceable warships by keeping them in harbor.
The Royal Navy first considered plans for attacking Taranto during the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935.
Answer: True
Plans for attacking Taranto were indeed considered by the British Royal Navy as early as the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935, and again during the Munich Crisis of 1938.
Lumley Lyster, captain of HMS *Glorious*, advised Admiral Sir Dudley Pound that Fairey Swordfish were capable of a night attack, and later commanded the force.
Answer: True
Captain Lumley Lyster of HMS *Glorious* indeed advised Admiral Sir Dudley Pound on the feasibility of a night attack by Fairey Swordfish, and subsequently, as Rear Admiral, commanded Operation Judgment.
Operation Judgment was the codename for the British attack on Taranto, originally scheduled for Trafalgar Day.
Answer: True
The British attack on Taranto was codenamed Operation Judgment and was initially planned for Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1940, before being postponed.
Concerns were raised that the small number of attacking warplanes for Operation Judgment might only alert the Italian Navy without significant results.
Answer: True
Concerns were indeed voiced that the limited number of attacking aircraft might merely alert the Italian Navy, potentially leading to an enraged response without achieving substantial objectives.
British reconnaissance flights confirmed the Italian fleet's location and revealed unexpected barrage balloons, but did not alter the attack plan.
Answer: False
British reconnaissance flights not only confirmed the Italian fleet's location and revealed barrage balloons but also led to a modification of the attack plan.
The complexity of Operation MB8 successfully deceived the Italians into believing only normal convoying operations were underway, aiding Operation Judgment.
Answer: True
The elaborate nature of Operation MB8 effectively misled the Italians into perceiving only routine convoy operations, thereby enhancing the element of surprise for Operation Judgment.
When did the Battle of Taranto take place?
Answer: 11/12 November 1940
The Battle of Taranto occurred on the night of 11/12 November 1940.
What was the primary target of the British attack at Taranto?
Answer: The *Regia Marina*'s battle fleet
The primary objective of the British attack was the battle fleet of the *Regia Marina*, anchored in Taranto harbor.
The Battle of Taranto was a part of which larger World War II campaign?
Answer: The Battle of the Mediterranean
The Battle of Taranto was an integral engagement within the broader Battle of the Mediterranean campaign during World War II.
Why did British ships have to take a much longer route around the Cape of Good Hope to reach Egypt after Italy entered WWII?
Answer: The threat from the Italian navy and air force in the Mediterranean
The threat posed by the Italian navy and air force in the Mediterranean after Italy's entry into WWII necessitated British convoys taking the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope to reach Egypt.
What was the Italian naval philosophy of a 'fleet in being' primarily based on?
Answer: Keeping warships in harbor due to irreplaceable losses
The Italian 'fleet in being' doctrine was predicated on preserving irreplaceable warships by keeping them in harbor, rather than risking them in direct engagements with the Royal Navy.
When did the Royal Navy first develop plans for attacking Taranto?
Answer: During the Italian invasion of Abyssinia in 1935
Plans for attacking Taranto were initially conceived by the Royal Navy as early as 1935 during the Italian invasion of Abyssinia.
What was the codename for the planned British attack on Taranto?
Answer: Operation Judgment
The planned British attack on Taranto was codenamed Operation Judgment.
Why was the original date for Operation Judgment, Trafalgar Day (21 October 1940), postponed?
Answer: A fire in an auxiliary fuel tank of a Swordfish, destroying two aircraft
Operation Judgment was postponed from its original date due to a fire in an auxiliary fuel tank of a Swordfish, which subsequently destroyed two aircraft.
How did British reconnaissance flights by Martin Marylands from Malta impact the attack plan for Taranto?
Answer: They revealed unexpected barrage balloons, leading to a change in the attack plan.
British reconnaissance flights confirmed the Italian fleet's location and, crucially, revealed unexpected barrage balloons, prompting a modification of the attack plan.
What was the primary reason the Italian *Regia Marina*'s First Squadron was historically based at Taranto?
Answer: It was a port-city on Italy's south-east coast, a long-standing base.
The Italian *Regia Marina*'s First Squadron was historically based at Taranto because it was a long-standing port-city base on Italy's south-east coast, predating World War I.
The British forces at Taranto included two aircraft carriers and a total of 21 torpedo bombers.
Answer: False
The British forces deployed only one aircraft carrier (HMS *Illustrious*) and 21 torpedo bombers for the attack on Taranto.
Italian forces at Taranto comprised six battleships, seven heavy cruisers, seven light cruisers, and thirteen destroyers.
Answer: True
The Italian forces present at Taranto indeed consisted of six battleships, seven heavy cruisers, seven light cruisers, and thirteen destroyers.
The battleship *Andrea Doria* was fully battleworthy and played a crucial role in defending Taranto during the attack.
Answer: False
The battleship *Andrea Doria* was not yet fully battleworthy at the time of the attack, as her crew was still undergoing training.
The British Fleet Air Arm was unique in its capability to conduct night torpedo attacks at the time of the Taranto raid.
Answer: True
The Fleet Air Arm possessed the unique capability among naval aviation arms at the time to conduct night torpedo attacks, a skill critical for the success of the Taranto operation.
HMS *Eagle* was removed from Operation Judgment due to battle damage sustained in a prior engagement.
Answer: False
HMS *Eagle* was removed from Operation Judgment due to a breakdown in her fuel system, not battle damage.
The complete British task force for Operation Judgment included HMS *Illustrious*, two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and four destroyers.
Answer: True
The British task force for Operation Judgment indeed comprised HMS *Illustrious*, two heavy cruisers (HMS *Berwick* and *York*), two light cruisers (HMS *Gloucester* and *Glasgow*), and four destroyers.
All 24 Swordfish aircraft for the attack came from a single Naval Air Squadron, 813.
Answer: False
The 24 attacking Swordfish aircraft were drawn from four Naval Air Squadrons: 813, 815, 819, and 824.
All Fairey Swordfish aircraft were armed with torpedoes for the Taranto attack, as bombs were deemed ineffective.
Answer: False
Only half of the Swordfish were armed with torpedoes; the other half carried aerial bombs and flares for diversionary purposes.
Taranto's defenses included 87 barrage balloons, all of which were in place and fully operational on the night of the attack.
Answer: False
While Taranto's defenses included 87 barrage balloons, only 27 were in place and operational on the night of the attack due to strong winds.
The anti-torpedo nets at Taranto were ineffective because they were not rigged to the bottom of the harbor, allowing torpedoes to pass underneath.
Answer: True
The anti-torpedo nets at Taranto were largely ineffective because only a third were rigged, and crucially, they did not extend to the harbor bottom, leaving a 60-centimeter gap for torpedoes to pass through.
The Royal Navy adapted its torpedoes for shallow water by attaching a drum and wire to pull the torpedo's nose up, resulting in a 'belly-flop' entry.
Answer: True
To counter the shallow waters of Taranto, the Royal Navy ingeniously adapted its torpedoes with a drum and wire mechanism, ensuring a 'belly-flop' entry that prevented them from diving too deep.
How many aircraft carriers did the British forces deploy in the Battle of Taranto?
Answer: One
The British forces deployed one aircraft carrier, HMS *Illustrious*, for the Battle of Taranto.
How many battleships were part of the Italian forces present at Taranto?
Answer: Six
The Italian forces at Taranto included six battleships.
Which Italian battleship at Taranto was not fully battleworthy at the time of the attack due to crew training?
Answer: *Andrea Doria*
The battleship *Andrea Doria* was not fully battleworthy at the time of the attack because her crew was still undergoing training after her reconstruction.
What unique capability did the British Fleet Air Arm possess that was crucial for the Taranto attack?
Answer: The ability to conduct night torpedo attacks
The British Fleet Air Arm's unique capability to conduct night torpedo attacks was a critical factor in the success of the Taranto operation.
Which British aircraft carrier ultimately launched the strike on Taranto alone?
Answer: HMS *Illustrious*
The brand-new carrier HMS *Illustrious* ultimately launched the strike on Taranto alone, after HMS *Eagle* was rendered unavailable.
Which of the following was NOT part of the complete British task force for Operation Judgment?
Answer: HMS *Rodney* (battleship)
The complete British task force for Operation Judgment included HMS *Illustrious*, heavy cruisers *Berwick* and *York*, light cruisers *Gloucester* and *Glasgow*, and four destroyers. HMS *Rodney* was not listed as part of this force.
From how many Naval Air Squadrons did the 24 attack Swordfish aircraft originate?
Answer: Four
The 24 attacking Swordfish aircraft were drawn from four Naval Air Squadrons: 813, 815, 819, and 824.
How were the Fairey Swordfish aircraft armed for the attack on Taranto?
Answer: Half with torpedoes and half with aerial bombs and flares
The Fairey Swordfish aircraft were armed with a mix of torpedoes (for primary strike) and aerial bombs and flares (for diversionary purposes).
What technical challenge was anticipated with the torpedoes used in the Taranto attack?
Answer: Their extreme sensitivity to rough seas and potential to bottom out in shallow harbor
Anticipated technical challenges for the torpedoes included their sensitivity to rough seas and the risk of them bottoming out in the shallow harbor.
What was a key reason the anti-torpedo nets at Taranto were ineffective during the attack?
Answer: They were not rigged to the bottom of the harbor, allowing torpedoes to pass underneath.
A primary reason for the ineffectiveness of Taranto's anti-torpedo nets was that they were not rigged to the harbor bottom, creating a gap through which British torpedoes could pass.
How did the Royal Navy adapt its torpedoes for the shallow waters of Taranto harbor?
Answer: They developed a new method using a drum and wire to pull the torpedo's nose up for a 'belly-flop' entry.
The Royal Navy adapted its torpedoes for shallow water by devising a mechanism involving a drum and wire to ensure a 'belly-flop' entry, preventing them from diving too deep.
An aerial view of the Mar Piccolo on 12 November 1940, often misinterpreted as fuel leaks, actually showed Italian cruisers preparing to get underway and raised mud.
Answer: True
An aerial photograph of the Mar Piccolo on 12 November 1940, often misconstrued as evidence of fuel leaks, actually depicted Italian cruisers preparing to depart and disturbed mud from their movement.
The first wave of British aircraft, led by Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Williamson, launched from HMS *Illustrious* around midnight on November 12, 1940.
Answer: False
The first wave of British aircraft, led by Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Williamson, launched from HMS *Illustrious* just before 21:00 hours on 11 November 1940, not around midnight on November 12.
Italian defenses fired over 13,000 shells and utilized searchlights extensively during the British attacks.
Answer: False
While Italian defenses fired 13,489 shells, they notably did not use searchlights at all during either of the British attacks.
Which innovative naval attack method did the Royal Navy employ during the Battle of Taranto?
Answer: The first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack
The Royal Navy pioneered the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history during the Battle of Taranto.
What did an aerial view of the Mar Piccolo on 12 November 1940 actually show, contrary to common misinterpretation?
Answer: Italian cruisers preparing to get underway and raised mud
An aerial view of the Mar Piccolo on 12 November 1940 depicted Italian cruisers preparing to depart and disturbed mud, not fuel leaks from damaged ships.
When did the first wave of British aircraft leave HMS *Illustrious* for the attack?
Answer: Just before 21:00 hours on 11 November 1940
The first wave of British aircraft launched from HMS *Illustrious* just before 21:00 hours on 11 November 1940.
What was a notable observation about the Italian anti-aircraft response during the battle?
Answer: They did not use searchlights at all during either of the attacks.
A significant observation regarding the Italian anti-aircraft response was their complete failure to utilize searchlights during either of the British attacks.
The Battle of Taranto resulted in a decisive British victory with minimal casualties, while the Italian battle fleet suffered significant damage.
Answer: True
The British achieved a decisive victory with minimal casualties (2 killed, 2 captured, 2 aircraft destroyed), while the Italian fleet sustained significant damage, including 3 battleships disabled and 59 killed.
The British suffered 59 killed and 600 wounded during the Battle of Taranto.
Answer: False
The British suffered minimal casualties (2 killed, 2 captured), while the Italian forces sustained 59 killed and 600 wounded.
The battleship *Conte di Cavour* was the first Italian ship hit by a torpedo, which caused a 27-foot hole below the waterline.
Answer: True
The *Conte di Cavour* was indeed the first Italian battleship struck by a torpedo from the first wave, resulting in a 27-foot hole below her waterline.
Lieutenant Commander K. Williamson's aircraft successfully returned to HMS *Illustrious* after striking the *Conte di Cavour*.
Answer: False
Lieutenant Commander K. Williamson's aircraft was immediately shot down by Italian anti-aircraft guns after successfully striking the *Conte di Cavour*.
The Italian battleship *Duilio* was hit by a torpedo from the second wave, forcing her to run aground to prevent sinking.
Answer: True
The battleship *Duilio* was struck by a torpedo from the second wave, which caused significant damage and flooding, necessitating her grounding to avert sinking.
A planned second British strike on Taranto was cancelled due to the overwhelming success of the first attack.
Answer: False
A planned second British strike on Taranto was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, not because of the overwhelming success of the first attack.
The Italian fleet transferred its undamaged ships from Taranto to Naples immediately after the attack to protect them from further assaults.
Answer: True
Following the attack, the *Regia Marina* indeed transferred its undamaged capital ships from Taranto to Naples to safeguard them from subsequent British assaults.
The battleship *Conte di Cavour* was repaired and fully operational within four months of the attack.
Answer: False
The *Conte di Cavour* required extensive salvage work, and her repairs were never completed before Italy's surrender in 1943.
What was the overall outcome of the Battle of Taranto?
Answer: A British victory with significant damage to the Italian fleet and minimal British casualties
The Battle of Taranto concluded in a decisive British victory, characterized by substantial damage to the Italian fleet and very low British casualties.
What were the British casualties during the Battle of Taranto?
Answer: 2 killed, 2 captured, 2 aircraft destroyed
The British suffered minimal casualties, with two killed, two captured, and two aircraft destroyed during the Battle of Taranto.
Which Italian battleship was the first to be hit by a torpedo from the first wave, suffering a 27-foot hole?
Answer: *Conte di Cavour*
The battleship *Conte di Cavour* was the first Italian vessel to be struck by a torpedo from the initial wave, sustaining a 27-foot hole below the waterline.
What happened to Lieutenant Commander K. Williamson's aircraft after successfully striking the *Conte di Cavour*?
Answer: It was immediately shot down by Italian anti-aircraft guns.
After successfully torpedoing the *Conte di Cavour*, Lieutenant Commander K. Williamson's aircraft was promptly shot down by Italian anti-aircraft fire.
Which Italian battleship was hit by a torpedo from the second wave, leading to significant internal damage and forcing it to run aground?
Answer: *Duilio*
The battleship *Duilio* was struck by a torpedo from the second wave, incurring substantial internal damage and necessitating its grounding to prevent sinking.
Why was a planned second British strike on Taranto cancelled?
Answer: Bad weather conditions.
A planned second British strike on Taranto was called off due to unfavorable weather conditions.
What was the immediate strategic consequence for the Italian fleet after the Taranto attack?
Answer: They transferred their undamaged ships from Taranto to Naples.
The immediate strategic consequence for the Italian fleet was the transfer of its undamaged ships from Taranto to Naples to protect them from further attacks.
How long did it take for the battleship *Littorio* to be repaired and fully operational after the attack?
Answer: Four months
The battleship *Littorio* was repaired and returned to full operational status within four months of the attack.
Admiral Andrew Cunningham believed the Battle of Taranto demonstrated the superiority of traditional big-gun battleships over naval aviation.
Answer: False
Admiral Andrew Cunningham concluded that the Battle of Taranto demonstrated the Fleet Air Arm as the Navy's most devastating weapon, signifying the ascendancy of naval aviation.
The Battle of Taranto significantly shifted the balance of power in the Mediterranean, allowing the British fleet more operational freedom.
Answer: True
The Battle of Taranto profoundly altered the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean, granting the British Mediterranean Fleet significantly greater operational flexibility.
The Taranto attack successfully achieved its primary objective of significantly disrupting Axis convoys to Africa.
Answer: False
The Taranto attack had minimal impact on its primary objective of disrupting Axis convoys to Africa; Italian shipping to Libya actually increased in the subsequent months.
The Battle of Taranto disproved the belief that torpedo attacks against ships required water at least 75 feet deep, as Taranto harbor was only about 39 feet deep.
Answer: True
The Battle of Taranto definitively disproved the prevailing naval doctrine that aerial torpedo attacks necessitated water depths of at least 75 feet, given Taranto harbor's depth of only 39 feet.
The Imperial Japanese Navy's planning for Pearl Harbor was influenced by the Taranto raid, with Japanese officers studying the attack firsthand.
Answer: True
The Imperial Japanese Navy meticulously studied the Taranto raid, with Lieutenant Commander Takeshi Naito investigating firsthand and discussing his findings with Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, who led the Pearl Harbor attack, indicating significant influence.
According to Admiral Andrew Cunningham, what did the Battle of Taranto demonstrate about the Fleet Air Arm?
Answer: That it was the Navy's most devastating weapon
Admiral Andrew Cunningham famously declared that the Battle of Taranto proved the Fleet Air Arm to be the Navy's most devastating weapon.
How did the Battle of Taranto alter the balance of power for the British Mediterranean Fleet?
Answer: It significantly shifted the balance of power to the British, granting more operational freedom.
The Battle of Taranto dramatically shifted the balance of power in the Mediterranean in favor of the British, affording their fleet greater operational flexibility.
What long-held belief about aerial torpedo attacks was disproven by the Battle of Taranto?
Answer: Torpedo attacks required water at least 75 feet (23 meters) deep.
The Battle of Taranto disproved the widely held belief that aerial torpedo attacks necessitated water depths of at least 75 feet, as Taranto harbor was considerably shallower.
Which Japanese officer investigated the Taranto attack firsthand and discussed his observations with Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, who led the Pearl Harbor attack?
Answer: Lieutenant Commander Takeshi Naito
Lieutenant Commander Takeshi Naito of the Imperial Japanese Navy investigated the Taranto attack firsthand and shared his observations with Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, a key planner for Pearl Harbor.
What was a key difference in scale between the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Taranto?
Answer: Pearl Harbor involved all six Imperial Japanese fleet carriers, each with an air wing more than twice the size of any British carrier.
The Pearl Harbor attack was significantly larger in scale, deploying all six Imperial Japanese fleet carriers, each with an air wing more than double the size of any British carrier at Taranto.
What was the long-term impact of the Pearl Harbor attack on U.S. Navy fleet operations?
Answer: Fleet operations were designed around aircraft carriers as capital ships.
Following Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy fundamentally shifted its doctrine, designing fleet operations around aircraft carriers as the primary capital ships.