he torpedo-bomber reached its zenith in World War II, particularly from 1940-42, with notable successes at the Battle of Taranto, the sinking of the Bismarck, and Pearl Harbor. It was the weapon of choice for both the US and Japanese in the big Pacific battles such as Midway. In the latter stages of the war, increasingly effective anti-aircraft fire and interceptor aircraft started to render it obsolete, a process completed post-war by long-range anti-ship missiles.Jean-Denis Lepage traces the development of torpedo bombers worldwide, describing their tactics, operational history and the aircraft themselves, including such well-loved types as the Swordfish, Beaufighter, and Avenger. Over 300 aircraft are beautifully illustrated.