Dan visits the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, in Somerset, England to gain a unique insight into the Battle of Taranto. He talks to Lt. Simon Wilson, the Royal Navy’s lead Swordfish pilot, views some extraordinary documents and takes a flight in a Swordfish bi-plane.

The Battle of Taranto took place on the night of 11–12 November 1940 during the Second World War between British naval forces, under Admiral Andrew Cunningham, and Italian naval forces, under Admiral Inigo Campioni. The Royal Navy launched the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval attack in history, launching a small number of obsolescent biplane torpedo bombers from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (R87) in the Mediterranean Sea.

Further information

Royal Navy Historical Flight

Recommended reading: The War in a Stringbag

The companion short film which Dan presents is entitled ‘Taranto 75‘ you really don’t want to miss it!

Episode photos are available at historyhitpodcast.com/taranto75

Presented by Dan Snow @thehistoryguy

Produced by Dan Morelle @danmorelle

 

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