|
Attack by Fleet Air Arm,
Swordfish on the Italian Fleet at Taranto The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was transformed at
a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three Italian
battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of Mussolini's
fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The attack,
codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by
twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the
confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact,
at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were
severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio
(right) and Conte Di Cavour.
Raid
on Taranto by Anthony Saunders The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was
transformed at a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three
Italian battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of
Mussolinis fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The
attack, codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by
twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the
confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact,
at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were
severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio
(right) and Conte Di Cavour.
Click
Here for other prints of Swordfish
|
| Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was transformed at a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three Italian battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of Mussolinis fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The attack, codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact, at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio (right) and Conte Di Cavour. Signed limited edition of 1150 prints. Image size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £135.00
Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00
Original painting by Anthony Saunders. Massive Saving - Was £3600 !. Price £2200.00
Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00 ITEM CODE DHM0519 |
| Operation Judgement by Philip West. The attack on Taranto was the first major victory for naval air power in the world and blueprint for the strike on Pearl Harbor. The Fleet Air Arm played an active part in the fight against the Axis forces in the Mediterranean. Their greatest achievement was the strike against the Italian Fleet at Taranto, 11 November 1940 by four Fleet Air Arm squadrons and 40 or so men who carried out this daring raid. In this picture we see the Swordfish flown by Lt. FMA Torrense-Spence and Lt. AWF Sutton, having just released its torpedo. Signed limited edition of 100 prints. Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Capt AWF Sutton DFC.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 26.5 inches x 16.5 inches (67cm x 42cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Capt AWF Sutton DFC, Lt Cdr Edgar Lee, Lt N C Gillis and Sub Lt Stanley Brand. ITEM CODE DHM2328 |
|
Operation Judgement by Philip West.
The
attack on Taranto was the first major victory for naval air power in the
world and blueprint for the strike on Pearl Harbor. The Fleet Air Arm
played an active part in the fight against the Axis forces in the
Mediterranean. Their greatest achievement was the strike against the
Italian Fleet at Taranto, 11 November 1940 by four Fleet Air Arm
squadrons and 40 or so men who carried out this daring raid. In this
picture we see the Swordfish flown by Lt. FMA Torrense-Spence and Lt.
AWF Sutton, having just released its torpedo.
FAIREY SWORDFISH, Torpedo Bomber and reconnaissance Biplane, crewed by Three,
with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. maximum ceiling
19,000 feet. reduced as a float plane. armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun
fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit.. One 1610lb Torpedo or up to
1500lb bomb load
At the outbreak of world war two the Fleet air arm had 13 operational
squadrons .The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major
contributions to naval warfare. during the Norwegian campaign, and
especially during the raid on Toranto. During November 1940, Twenty
Swordfish to off from HMS Illustrious (operation Judgement ) to attack the
Italian Fleet in their Harbour of Toranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their
targets. Seven Italian Ships were badly damaged including The Italian
battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour. this was followed
in February 1942, by a Heroic but suicidal attack on German Battle Cruisers in
the English Channel by six swordfish of 825 squadron from RAF Manston. all
aircraft and crews were lost. This resulted in a Victoria Cross for the leader
Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde. The next major event was the Torpedo
Attack on the Bismarck from Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal, which badly damaged
the steering gear of the Bismarck which helped in the final destruction of
the German battleship by Royal Navy Battleships. The fairey
Swordfish was also used in anti-submarine and anti-shipping roles, The
Swordfish sunk more enemy ships (by Tonnage) than any other aircraft acting in
the same roles. By the end of the War the Fleet Air Arm still had nine
active squadrons. but were finally disbanded in May 1945. A total of 2399
Swordfish Were Built. |
|
