 A naval bombardment was carried out on the morning of 3 January by the Queen Elizabeth @-@ class battleships HMS Warspite , Valiant and Barham and their destroyer escorts . The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious provided aircraft for spotting and fighter cover . They withdrew after firing 244 15 @-@ inch ( 380 mm ) , 270 6 @-@ inch ( 150 mm ) and 240 4 @.@ 5 @-@ inch ( 110 mm ) shells , handing over to HMS Terror and the Insect @-@ class gunboats HMS Ladybird , Aphis and Gnat , which continued firing throughout the battle . At one point fire from Terror caused part of the cliff near the town to give way , taking Italian gun positions with it . 
