 But the real formidable deterrent was the 1st Squadron, with all three s. All this could have been effective with classical naval warfare, but aircraft power soon changed things drastically, as shown in the Taranto and Naples port attacks (1940–41).In late December, B-24 Liberator heavy bombers increased their activity over Naples which had become the Italians' most important naval base.Taranto had become too dangerous to harbour major ships, but Naples was still in the range of Liberator and Wellington bombers.