On November 11, 1940, 21 slow, canvas-covered British warplanes, launched from the carrier Illustrious, attacked the harbor at the Italian port of Taranto and put most of the Italian navy out of commission. This all-but-forgotten operation, the authors argue, deserves historical recognition as an inspirational precedent for the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor 13 months later. Taranto demonstrated that battleships in a shallow, heavily defended harbor could be sunk by a handful of torpedo-bombers. That lesson Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, commander-in-chief of the Japanese fleet, learned well-while the American military virtually ignored it.

“By this single stroke the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean was decisively altered.” –Winston S. Churchill

About the Author

I was never a pilot (a few hours as a student glider pilot hardly count) but my fascination with military aircraft goes way back. At age 12, I teamed with my grandmother as a plane spotter. She was qualified to telephone in reports, but knew nothing or airplanes. I was an avid "spotter." She called in my reports. Worked perfectly. Years later, I was drafted into the US Air Force and sent to Lackland AFB, a base that had NO airplanes.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Mooney's bookstore
Netherlands

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Shipping Terms

Shipping rates from Netherlands to U.S.A.

Shipping rates from Netherlands to U.S.A.
Order quantity	14 to 21 business days	5 to 10 business days
First item	US$ 17.61	US$ 41.17

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.