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Chapter XXXI: Second Battle of Taranto Part I.
Chapter XXXI: Second Battle of Taranto Part I.

As Admiral Alberto da Zara plotted his fleets attempt to leave Taranto he knew his task was not an easy one, yet it was one he relished. Not a technical officer nor a committed fascist his progress through the ranks had been hard, without party connexions or a background in the technical departments finding a patron was all but impossible and without a patron promotion was slow. The Regia Marina preferred its officers to be technocrats, such as Admiral Bergamini, trusting more in technology than tactics to overcome the superior numbers of the French and British fleets. Yet da Zara had forced his way to the top by pure ability, winning war games in his 'technically inferior' force against the 'hi-tech' ships of his rivals by innovative tactics. It had taken the defeat of the shining light of the technocrats, Admiral Bergamini, at Tobruk to force the Supermarina's hand and let loose da Zara.

For all his reputation for tactical innovation da Zara's plan was strikingly similar to that of Admiral Gherzi; sneak out of harbour late at night, hug the coast up to the straits of Messina, round Sciliy then a dash for North Africa. This is not surprising, geography limited any break out to three options; west, east or central. Central all but guaranteed meeting Cunningham's fleet, east would leave the Prima Squadra closer to Alexandria than the areas they had to reinforce thus west was the only option. The big disadvantage for da Zara was that the Supermarina had ordered him to escort several transports full of supplies and troops to reinforce the army, conventional convoys having all fallen prey to British raiders. Despite this additional complication da Zara believed in the plan, he reasoned that the first failure had more to do with bad luck and Gherzi's putting a tactical opportunity (the seemingly isolated British cruisers) ahead of his strategic objective, a mistake da Zara would not allow himself to make.

The problem Cunningham faced was how to maintain his blockade, submarine activity still ruled out a close blockade, while it was believed, correctly, that no Italian Admiral would fall for the same trick used last time. Therefore the plan adopted after the departure of HMS Warspite and HSM Valiant was to form two Battle Squadrons covering the western and eastern edges of Taranto Bay with a 'tripwire' of submarines in front of them to detect and track any Italian force attempting to leave. While not ideal from reaction and detection point of view, and exposing the S-class submarines of the picket far more than anyone was comfortable with, Cunningham believed it to be his best option. Despite facing significant, if different, problems both commanders were confident of success and both believed they had a 'trick up their sleeve' not available in the last battle that would ensure a decisive victory.

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HMS Sea Wolf, the S Class submarine that detected the Prima Squadra. It was on the orders of her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Llywelyn that the first shots of the battle were fired.

Cunningham's tripwire was triggered two days after the landings when HMS Sea Wolf, the S Class submarine at the very western edge of the picket, detected the outbound Prima Squadra hammering past at almost 20knots, a speed far in excess of the best Sea Wolf could manage. The picket submarines had been given a set procedure to follow in the event of sighting the Italians; report location to the main fleet and then shadow until the main fleet could intercept. Clearly that was not an option so the commander fell back on the basic tenet of the Senior Service; attack the enemy whensoever the opportunity presented itself. Conscious the range was constantly increasing the Llywelyn lined up his shot as best he could and launched a full spread of torpedoes from all forward tubes before running fast and deep away towards Cunningham's fleet and away from the hornets nest Sea Wolf had stirred up.

da Zara's reaction was the same as any commander discovering his fleet was under torpedo attack; a wave of panic followed by a series of expletive filled orders telling ships to move and sending destroyers to concentrate around the area 'under attack'. At the extreme end of their range and running on a hastily calculated bearing unsurprisingly none of the torpedoes hit, at least physically. They did however impact the Italian formation, instead of concentrating his destroyers forward, as per every night fighting doctrine the world over, da Zara felt compelled to spread his destroyer force out in case of any more British submarines. Moreover they delayed the Prima Squadra as transports scattered and ships fell out of formation, a problem that worried da Zara and his command staff more than any submarine. The lesson of the previous engagement had been clear; distractions and delays played into British hands, giving them time to concentrate their forces and outnumber any Italian fleet. With stealth and surprise gone the Prima Squadra was reduced to relying on speed and their current advanced position, half way to the straits of Messina they were as close to Taranto as Palmero far further than the previous attempt made. Despite that it is a credit to da Zara's determination and commitment, if perhaps not his judgement, that the mission continued at all; Any plan that relied on speed was a bad one for a squadron containing both the Conte di Cavour battleships and several flotillas of transports and tankers.

The initiative being with Cunningham he was faced with a choice; attack immediately that night or concentrate his forces for a daylight engagement. While the superior night fighting training and experience of the Royal Navy would even the odds in a nocturnal battle, such engagements were inherently unpredictable and Cunningham's First Battle Squadron would be outnumbered across the board. Waiting for Vice-Admiral Blake, his second in command, to bring up the Second Battle Squadron would double his fire-power but ran the risk of da Zara running for a friendly port or evading the engagement. Cunningham, although undoubtedly keen to finish the work he had started at First Taranto, had not been picked as Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean with a pin. His mission was not just to disrupt the reinforcements but also to seek combat and destroy the Regia Marina's capital ships, as such the extra guns Vice-Admiral Blake's squadron could provide were invaluable.

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The opening stages of the Second Battle of Taranto. Cunningham's plan did not even survive to make contact with the enemy. The Prima Squadra was much further east than the Royal Navy had anticipated, leaving Vice Admiral Blake's Second Battle Squadron to engage alone until Cunningham could bring his forces into action.

The plan therefore was for the First Battle Squadron to shadow the Prima Squadra before using its superior speed to cut across and block it's path while the slower Second Battle Squadron aimed to arrive behind the Italians and block any retreat. It was at this point that Cunningham and his staff made their first serious mistake, no allowance was made for the disruption caused by HMS Sea Wolfs attack and it was assumed the Italians had made a steady 20knots since the contact. As we have seen the attack had actually cost the Italians precious steaming time leaving them much further east than predicted, consequently the course plotted by the Second Battle Squadron left them slap bang in the middle of the Italians. Vice Admiral Blake would have to fight alone until Cunningham arrived. da Zara's initial joy at being able to face the British in two small forces not one overpowering concentration was short lived as he discovered just what 'trick' Cunningham had up his sleeve.

--
Up Next; To the surprise of no-one Part II. Containing; Sinkings! Shell Fire! Torpedoes! Explosives! Other things that end in (!)!
 
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Top hole update.
 
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Sinkings! Shell Fire! Torpedoes! Explosives! Other things that end in (!)!
Yay! Huzzah! Other things ending in !
 
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My word Pippy, jolly good cliffhanger!

Now, hurry up with that second part, there's a good chap. Can't leave the damn thing half done now, can we! ;)
 
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Damn good show, although Cunningham needs to move to Ahead Flank speed if he's going to engage Prima Squadron and help Blake out!
 
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Lovely post, Pipper! The maps and photographs were well selected and you left us with a doozy of a cliff-hanger. One hopes that the conclusion of the battle will follow at a... less leisurely pace than this one. I'd hate to have to pursue you across the threads you read, nagging at every pace again. ;-)

Vann
 
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Judas Maccabeus said:
The chaotic fortunes of war have already made their presence known in this young battle. And the submarine commander appears to be a familiar face... ;)

w00+!!! I'm famous!!!

THANK YOU [EDIT: EL] PIP!!!
j.
 
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Second part is going well I must say, maps are done, pictures found and a large chunk written. It may even be posted today. Until then;

Sir Humphrey - Concise, supportive and using the expression 'top hole', what more could any author ask for from a comment? :)

Judas Maccabeus - It was about time something went wrong for the Royal Navy and more surprise await in part II. That sub commander does seem strangely familiar doesn't he? :D

Fulcrumvale Updates! As! Well! End! In! !

Duritz - What's the point of a good cliffhanger if you don't leave people dangling? If you quickly post the resolution people don't have time to wonder and speculate. :)

English Patriot - Blake is not as helpless as he appears, he does have Cunningham's 'trick' on his side...

Jape - I believe the plan is to show the Italians a great deal of British steel in convinient 15" * 630" parcels delivered at very high speed. I trust this meets with your approval? ;)

Vann the Red - I don't know I quite liked being chased, having a stalker is one of the true signs your readers do like the AAR. :D

Llywelyn - Fame indeed, it was worth it all for your reaction. :)

On which note may I point you over This post which may interest some, all or fewer of the readers.
 
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Great Update!

If this Italian force is fully defeated, Libya will be very isolated, and probably fall within the month. Hmm, any plans for lands at Sardinia or Sicily to make a peace ;)?
 
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GeneralHannibal - Domination of the seas does give you a certain.... flexibility in terms of amphibious operations. But I don't think da Zara will give in without a fight.

Jape - It's a plan with no drawbacks. :D

Dr. Gonzo - Another new poster. But will he/she/it be the post once and vanish kind or the harass across the entire forum (I'm looking at you Vann) kind? Regardless support of any type is always appreciated. :)

RAFspeak - I've caught a lurker. Is there a prize for this? ;) Welcome aboard and glad you like it.

Lafayette53 - High praise indeed.

Right the update is written, the pictures found, the maps done. BUT I've got to go to work. Formatting and posting tonight. Yes, I am a shameless tease at times, I got it from Allenby and VJ you know.
 
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El Pip said:
Yes, I am a shameless tease at times, I got it from Allenby and VJ you know.

I'm pleased to see that you're copying many of my fashionable practises.
 
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Perhaps better that he adopt these practices than some you demonstrated over in poor Allenby's thread.

Vann
 
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Vann the Red said:
Perhaps better that he adopt these practices than some you demonstrated over in poor Allenby's thread.

Oh, it's a slippery slope, believe me.
 
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