INVINCIBLE, INDEFATIGABLE, INDOMITABLE AND ILLUSTRIOUS - NAVAL AIR POWER TO THE 21ST-CENTURY

In 1940, 21 biplanes took off from HMS Illustrious and inflicted more damage on the Italian fleet in Taranto Harbour than the British Grand Fleet had on the German Fleet at Jutland in 1918. Taranto was arguably the first time that naval air power was used alone as a successful singular strike weapon. The lesson was not missed, most notably by the Japanese at Pearl Harbour. Today UK naval air power is again deployed in the Adriatic, but this time as part of United Nations operations in former Yugoslavia. Rear Admiral Ian Garnett, Flag Officer Naval Aviation, delivering the 1995 Leslie Bedford Lecture, describes today's Fleet Air Arm and its direction towards the 21st century. STEWART PENNEY reports.