Th bit about 'Japanese insparation' is usually mentioned by decent summaries of the raid. What to me is amazing as the incredibly low loss rate - 2 a/c (4 crew) and only 2 of those 4 killed (2 captured) IIRC. Having seen inside the cockpit of several Blackfish and Stringbags, I'm even more amazed. What is appalling is the fact that it remained the best carrier attack a/c the British industry came up with until post-war. Argument rages about the merit of the Barracuda, but it sounds like a disaster to me.
Cheers
James
PS It was Bertie with the monocle BTW. Assuming you refer to Algernon Montgomery, of Monmouth Towers, Monmoth, Monmothshire, as introduced by Major James Bigglesworth in 'Biggles flies Again'.