HMS Illustrious (87)
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HMS Illustrious was the lead ship of her class of aircraft carriers built for the Royal Navy before World War II. Her first assignment after completion and working up was with the Mediterranean Fleet,
Illustrious circa 1954
US Office of Naval Intelligence recognition drawing of the Illustrious-class carriers
Illustrious at anchor in 1940
Oblique bow view of Illustrious at anchor
Battle of Taranto
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The Battle of Taranto, also known as the Raid on Taranto, and Operation Judgement took place on the night of 11/12 November 1940 during the Second World War between British naval forces and Italian na
HMS Illustrious (87)
…the Mediterranean Fleet, in which her aircraft's most notable achievement was sinking one Italian battleship and badly damaging two others during the Battle of Taranto in late 1940. In January 1941, during Operation Excess, Illustrious was hit multiple times by German and Italian dive bombers and was repaired in the…
The Italian battleship Conte di Cavour with hull awash after being torpedoed during the Taranto raid.
A restored Fairey Swordfish of the Fleet Air Arm
Aerial photo of Italian warships moored in Mar Grande harbour at Taranto. Note the 'Y' jetty.
Aftermath of the battle showing an Italian battleship down by the bows and beached (far right)