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nice update, especially since I don't play MP. I used your squadron makeup for the UK and I must say, it works. by mid 1940 Germany was down to 2 SS.
Incredibly gutsy to go straight after the UK, but Malta should be yours anyway. With the new war goal system in FTM, can you take Malta right away and make it Italian after you've captured it, or do you have to wait until the war is over? I've not experimented with it much.
Don't know the answer to that question. It was "striped" after capture. Probably have to ask that on the main board.
Oct 39: The Empire Strikes Back
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence continues to be gathered on the Royal Navy with the following results:
Capitol Ship Practical: 17.1
The British are currently researching:
Submarine Engine
Destroyer Crew Training
Aircraft Carrier Engine
Aircraft Carrier Anti-air
FRANCO-ITALIAN WAR--Battle for Torino:
(above) A: French mountain troops push into the Italian Alps while French infantry storms Italian breastwork's south of the strategic city of Torino (blue arrows). Italy counter counterattacks (red arrows) along the coast, stopping the French advance in its tracks. Italian mobile units then over-ran all French positions and capture Nice. The Italian mobile infantry corps then drives north-west threatening to encircle the entire French army.
B: The French army beats a hasty retreat and narrowly avoids encirclement. Italian mobile forces then continue their drive down the coast all the way to Toulon (red arrows).
C. The French army forms a hasty defensive line (white arrows) west of Toulon and west of Torino. Meanwhile, Italian reserves advance (green arrows) to the angle in the French defensie line and prepare for assault.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Opening Phase: After the fall of Malta the British hastily assemble their mobile infantry, and make a surprise attack on Malta in early November.
(above) On November 6th a cruiser task force under Commander Iachino is dispatched to reconnoiter the enemy fleet. What is discovered is a 29 ship task group lead by the carriers Illustrious and Ark Royal. The heavy guns of battleships Revenge, Barham, and Warspite provide shore bombardment.
The enemy quickly swatted the cruiser task group aside, and the invasion of Malta continued uninterrupted. Italy received the “Unsuccessful Battle of Calabria” card, and chose the “Navy has disappointed us” option.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Operation Shark: Rome plans for the defense of Malta in the face of invasion call for separate battleship task groups to attack from different directions. In the event the Allies have other task groups laying in wait, it is expected that at least 2-3 groups will still make it to Malta.
(above) Plans for Operation Shark. Italian battleship groups from Palarmo, Tripoli, Benghazi, and Taranto (blue arrows) will converge on Malta from different directions. Once in place, the four will then sortie to attack the British fleet at Malta (red arrows).
The designated battleship groups include a prototype group, standard group, elite group, and one reserve group made up of ships from the fleet reserve at Toranto.
(above) Operation Shark was executed on November 7 resulting in the first major naval engagement of the War. Commander Brivonesi and 18 ships faced British Commander Bruce-Fraser and his 14 ships (less transports). The Italian fleet easily outmaneuvered the British and scored many hits, but unfortunately could not get through to the aircraft carriers. Interceptors from Palermo provide air cover for the operation.
(above) At 11:00 November 9 all forces in Operation Shark were ordered to return to base (RTB). After a full day of fighting the Italian formations were an expended force. The British invasion of Malta continued unhindered.
Note; This battle was a draw as the forces all disengaged in an orderly manner. Italian fleets returned to their respective bases under the sorte command.
(above) On November 13 a combined cruiser and fast cruiser fleet were sent in to sink any straggling transports. This force was met by a fairly depleted group of CAGs from Ark Royal, Illustrious, and Formidable. Despite their poor condition, the CAGs forced the cruiser groups to retreat.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Air War: Following the failure of Operation Shark the air force was sent in to bomb the British into submission.
(above) On November 15 Italian interceptors encounter fresh waves of British CAGs from Ark Royal, Formidable, Illustrious, and a new carrier, Victorious.
(above) Land bombers (center top), and alternatively naval bombers (center bottom), pound the British fleet continuously hoping to sink as many ships as possible. They are not successful in sinking any ships, nor landing any hits on British aircraft carriers.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Ground War: Two divisions of reserve infantry from Benghazi were assigned to defend Malta.
(above) The British invasion began on November 6. Here, the Italian defenders are tasked with holding the island for at least two weeks in order to give the Navy and Air force time to relieve them. Unfortunately, British aircraft carriers were too strong to overcome, and the island eventually fell on November 16. Italy received the “Disastrous Battle of Malta” card, and elected the “My men have failed me” option.
Note: Italy has not yet completed its “decryption” research, so disposition of the attacking forces were not known. It is believed, however, these were motorized infantry supported by light tanks.
ITALIAN NORTH AFRICA--Battle for Tobruk:
(above) A: Following the conquest of Malta the British sent their mobile infantry and light tanks to the border of Libya. This army easily brushed aside the colonial militia and began the battle of Tobruk.
B: The Italian Desert corps counterattacks to the south. Frontal assaults on Tobruk are rebuffed. British and Iraqi forces then regroup and concentrate their efforts on the Desert Corps. The Desert corps is finally pushed back leaving Tobruk open to attack from two sides.
Following this defeat, Field Marshall Messe was transferred from Army Group Milan to head the Libyan Army. Messe's job is to rapidly re-organize these forces and halt the Allied advance ahead of Bengazi.
ITALIAN NORTH AFRICA--Battle for Tripoli:
(above) A: With the Italians otherwise occupied at Tobruk, France sent light armored divisions to test the defenses at Tripoli.
B: Italy sends its invasion fleet and lands two (2) divisions of marines on the coast behind French lines. Having severed French supply lines, Italian forces now attack in all directions (red arrows). French armor in the southern desert retreat to the fortress of Gabes (purple arrows), while the other half of the armored force is surrounded and eliminated. The threat to Tripoli has been eliminated.
(above) On its way to the landing near Tripoli the invasion fleet encountered and defeated four (4) light cruisers of the British Humber force. For this galant action Italy received the “Victorious Naval Battle of Calabria” card, electing “The navy has done great work” option. This action fairly cancels the previous loss at Calabria.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN—Balance of Power:
(above) In the final analysis Italy sunk three (3) battleships, one (1) heavy cruiser, and one (1) light cruiser, against a loss of just four (4) destroyers (three of which were the old WW1 style). This galant action has tipped the balance of power in capitol ships, for the time being, to the Regia Marina.
Still, Italy was unsuccessful against the British carriers. British CAGs were severely damaged and nearly defeated, which gives hope for the future. To ready itself for the next engagement Italy will upgrade its air craft engines and interceptor armaments. Research ahead into updated bombs and air-launched torpedo's will also be given priority. The fleet will all recieve updated anti-aircraft guns and RADAR, and two new Hipper-class heavy cruisers along with three new destroyers and two light cruisers will be built.
Next Time: Franco-Italian War Heats Up.
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence continues to be gathered on the Royal Navy with the following results:
Capitol Ship Practical: 17.1
The British are currently researching:
Submarine Engine
Destroyer Crew Training
Aircraft Carrier Engine
Aircraft Carrier Anti-air
FRANCO-ITALIAN WAR--Battle for Torino:
(above) A: French mountain troops push into the Italian Alps while French infantry storms Italian breastwork's south of the strategic city of Torino (blue arrows). Italy counter counterattacks (red arrows) along the coast, stopping the French advance in its tracks. Italian mobile units then over-ran all French positions and capture Nice. The Italian mobile infantry corps then drives north-west threatening to encircle the entire French army.
B: The French army beats a hasty retreat and narrowly avoids encirclement. Italian mobile forces then continue their drive down the coast all the way to Toulon (red arrows).
C. The French army forms a hasty defensive line (white arrows) west of Toulon and west of Torino. Meanwhile, Italian reserves advance (green arrows) to the angle in the French defensie line and prepare for assault.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Opening Phase: After the fall of Malta the British hastily assemble their mobile infantry, and make a surprise attack on Malta in early November.
(above) On November 6th a cruiser task force under Commander Iachino is dispatched to reconnoiter the enemy fleet. What is discovered is a 29 ship task group lead by the carriers Illustrious and Ark Royal. The heavy guns of battleships Revenge, Barham, and Warspite provide shore bombardment.
The enemy quickly swatted the cruiser task group aside, and the invasion of Malta continued uninterrupted. Italy received the “Unsuccessful Battle of Calabria” card, and chose the “Navy has disappointed us” option.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Operation Shark: Rome plans for the defense of Malta in the face of invasion call for separate battleship task groups to attack from different directions. In the event the Allies have other task groups laying in wait, it is expected that at least 2-3 groups will still make it to Malta.
(above) Plans for Operation Shark. Italian battleship groups from Palarmo, Tripoli, Benghazi, and Taranto (blue arrows) will converge on Malta from different directions. Once in place, the four will then sortie to attack the British fleet at Malta (red arrows).
The designated battleship groups include a prototype group, standard group, elite group, and one reserve group made up of ships from the fleet reserve at Toranto.
(above) Operation Shark was executed on November 7 resulting in the first major naval engagement of the War. Commander Brivonesi and 18 ships faced British Commander Bruce-Fraser and his 14 ships (less transports). The Italian fleet easily outmaneuvered the British and scored many hits, but unfortunately could not get through to the aircraft carriers. Interceptors from Palermo provide air cover for the operation.
(above) At 11:00 November 9 all forces in Operation Shark were ordered to return to base (RTB). After a full day of fighting the Italian formations were an expended force. The British invasion of Malta continued unhindered.
Note; This battle was a draw as the forces all disengaged in an orderly manner. Italian fleets returned to their respective bases under the sorte command.
(above) On November 13 a combined cruiser and fast cruiser fleet were sent in to sink any straggling transports. This force was met by a fairly depleted group of CAGs from Ark Royal, Illustrious, and Formidable. Despite their poor condition, the CAGs forced the cruiser groups to retreat.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Air War: Following the failure of Operation Shark the air force was sent in to bomb the British into submission.
(above) On November 15 Italian interceptors encounter fresh waves of British CAGs from Ark Royal, Formidable, Illustrious, and a new carrier, Victorious.
(above) Land bombers (center top), and alternatively naval bombers (center bottom), pound the British fleet continuously hoping to sink as many ships as possible. They are not successful in sinking any ships, nor landing any hits on British aircraft carriers.
SECOND BATTLE OF MALTA—Ground War: Two divisions of reserve infantry from Benghazi were assigned to defend Malta.
(above) The British invasion began on November 6. Here, the Italian defenders are tasked with holding the island for at least two weeks in order to give the Navy and Air force time to relieve them. Unfortunately, British aircraft carriers were too strong to overcome, and the island eventually fell on November 16. Italy received the “Disastrous Battle of Malta” card, and elected the “My men have failed me” option.
Note: Italy has not yet completed its “decryption” research, so disposition of the attacking forces were not known. It is believed, however, these were motorized infantry supported by light tanks.
ITALIAN NORTH AFRICA--Battle for Tobruk:
(above) A: Following the conquest of Malta the British sent their mobile infantry and light tanks to the border of Libya. This army easily brushed aside the colonial militia and began the battle of Tobruk.
B: The Italian Desert corps counterattacks to the south. Frontal assaults on Tobruk are rebuffed. British and Iraqi forces then regroup and concentrate their efforts on the Desert Corps. The Desert corps is finally pushed back leaving Tobruk open to attack from two sides.
Following this defeat, Field Marshall Messe was transferred from Army Group Milan to head the Libyan Army. Messe's job is to rapidly re-organize these forces and halt the Allied advance ahead of Bengazi.
ITALIAN NORTH AFRICA--Battle for Tripoli:
(above) A: With the Italians otherwise occupied at Tobruk, France sent light armored divisions to test the defenses at Tripoli.
B: Italy sends its invasion fleet and lands two (2) divisions of marines on the coast behind French lines. Having severed French supply lines, Italian forces now attack in all directions (red arrows). French armor in the southern desert retreat to the fortress of Gabes (purple arrows), while the other half of the armored force is surrounded and eliminated. The threat to Tripoli has been eliminated.
(above) On its way to the landing near Tripoli the invasion fleet encountered and defeated four (4) light cruisers of the British Humber force. For this galant action Italy received the “Victorious Naval Battle of Calabria” card, electing “The navy has done great work” option. This action fairly cancels the previous loss at Calabria.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN—Balance of Power:
(above) In the final analysis Italy sunk three (3) battleships, one (1) heavy cruiser, and one (1) light cruiser, against a loss of just four (4) destroyers (three of which were the old WW1 style). This galant action has tipped the balance of power in capitol ships, for the time being, to the Regia Marina.
Still, Italy was unsuccessful against the British carriers. British CAGs were severely damaged and nearly defeated, which gives hope for the future. To ready itself for the next engagement Italy will upgrade its air craft engines and interceptor armaments. Research ahead into updated bombs and air-launched torpedo's will also be given priority. The fleet will all recieve updated anti-aircraft guns and RADAR, and two new Hipper-class heavy cruisers along with three new destroyers and two light cruisers will be built.
Next Time: Franco-Italian War Heats Up.
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As predicted, you had your butt kicked by the British CVs and their zombie CAGs. Nothing unexpected here. In MP, your Navy would probably cease to exist within the first year of war.
I'm surprised that your bombers were so ineffective. This doesn't bode well for the future.
Loss of Malta is a bad sign. In MP, the UK player would be able to dominate the sea-zones between Libya and Sicily with his bombers.
I'm surprised that your bombers were so ineffective. This doesn't bode well for the future.
Loss of Malta is a bad sign. In MP, the UK player would be able to dominate the sea-zones between Libya and Sicily with his bombers.
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Well done, its interesting with the various MP comments, when reading the Royal Carnage where they did the Rome gambit, and read the counter measures.
Interesting aar. I admire your early start! I'm too cautious and always wait til mid 1940 at the earliest.
I was having real problems with my Italian Navy in FTM - the RN only had to look in my direction and half my ships sank. Now following your advice, my navy is at least holding its own
. In fact currently after 3 month of war, the Regia Marina is actually able to control the central med (so long as it doesn't stray too far from the cover of the Regia Aeronautica's torpedo bombers). Like you I'm not able to kill the RN carriers at the moment though...working on next level nav/bomber techs, so maybe that will help!.
Will follow the continuation of this aar with interest!
I was having real problems with my Italian Navy in FTM - the RN only had to look in my direction and half my ships sank. Now following your advice, my navy is at least holding its own
. In fact currently after 3 month of war, the Regia Marina is actually able to control the central med (so long as it doesn't stray too far from the cover of the Regia Aeronautica's torpedo bombers). Like you I'm not able to kill the RN carriers at the moment though...working on next level nav/bomber techs, so maybe that will help!. Will follow the continuation of this aar with interest!
unfortunately, carriers in this game are like Superman on steroids: impossible to kill and they will keep coming.
Impressive account. Your fleet did rather well against the British, being forced to fight them without much air support. Could you have sent in your bombers too? That might have changed the battle.
As for land losses, you lost two 2x INF divisions while the French and Biritish lost... ?
As for land losses, you lost two 2x INF divisions while the French and Biritish lost... ?
Yes, it appears so. If the AI cannot be defeated at sea--then Italy stands no chance against a human-controlled UK.
But, it's still early in the war. Perhaps with some reseach and a few upgrades things may turn around (we can only hope).
The French lost some light armor. O/W the strategy in N. Africa is to defend in front of Bengazi (as we shall see), and then make an end-around to catch the British off-guard.
No, the TAC's are not going to be effective unless and until the Allied fleet is holed-up in port. Just wanted to see if one could at least score a hit on a flat top. However, have now discovered the lowly CAS also have high naval attack (similar to Naval Bombers), so these will be dispatched to Sicily to attack neighboring sea lanes.
The overall strategy will be to upgrade the fleet's AA while improving Interceptor's engines and armament. Will attempt to defeat the RN CAG's by sandwiching them between the INTs and the fleet's massive AA attack. To make this work it is necessary to match the numbers of CAGs with INT's, then do DAY/NIGHT rotation of INTs leaving no time for the RN CAGs to reorganize.
Unfortunately it's a complex plan, and the drawbacks are:
1) Have to upgrade AA guns on BBs, HC's, and DD's. (Note: Battleships have virtually no AA defenses! Donno what the deal is, but check-it out, Italian battleships have Air Attack rating of one (1), while heavy crusiers are at 10-12, and destroyers are at 8. What, did the devs skip a decimal place??)
2) A 2-carrier fleet requires 8 interceptors, and a 3-carrier fleet needs 12 INTs--Italy currently has only 10 INTs.
3) For a sustained battle (at least 24hrs) the fleet and Interceptors need more organization and moral (in doctrines) and that takes time. The Japanese can help out w/figher focus, but it will take time to upgrade the fleet.
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Interesting aar. I admire your early start! I'm too cautious and always wait til mid 1940 at the earliest.
I was having real problems with my Italian Navy in FTM - the RN only had to look in my direction and half my ships sank. Now following your advice, my navy is at least holding its own
Will follow the continuation of this aar with interest!
Thanks. Am trying to narrowly define the strategy in order to shape the course of technology research. Italy has 12-13 leadership, so it cannot afford to be wasteful to any degree. Land combat experience is fairly easy to come by, and so is Air Combat Experience if the Naval Bombers are used to attack Convoys. Unfortunately, the only way to get Naval Combat Experience is to go toe-to-toe with those RN carriers. So (as we shall see) the Italian Navy is going to take some bumps and bruses, but it's not an act of futility, am just trying to pump-up combat experience so that doctrine resesarch goes a little faster.
It seems so. Am going to try putting RADAR on ships and airplanes to see if that will help in scoring hits. Am also assembling a massive RADAR station at Taranto to help locate enemy fleets without the need for patrol destroyers.
trust me, in one of my recent Plan Z try-outs, I lost a lot of ships to the RN. no matter what they say about those "old battlewagons", they still pack a punch. what I found works sometimes is sending in an expendable fleet (like Germany's Batlische Flotte). when the fight is over, send in the more modern ones. sometimes it works. sometimes it doesn't.
Jan 40: The Franco-Italian War
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence on the Royal Navy is as follows:
Capitol Ship Practical: 17.7
Naval Engineering: 15.3
The British are currently researching:
Fire Control System Training
Battleship Engine
Aircraft Carrier AA
Aircraft Carrier Hangar
ITALIAN RESEARCH: By mid-January Italy completed research into Light Cruiser Escort Role and Training. In mid-March Italy completed research into Small Warship RADAR and Large Warship RADAR. The focus now turns to naval AA guns, and ORG+Moral for battleships, heavy cruisers, and destroyers. Priority is also given to RADAR for interceptors.
FRANCO-ITALIAN WAR--Battle for Marseilles:
(above)
A: Italian troops finally break-through the last of the French mountain fortresses at Albertville.
B: Italian mobile infantry complete the encirclement of Marseille trapping several French Divisions.
C. Italian battleship groups seal the coast to prevent re-enforcement or relief of the besieged town of Marsielles.
ITALIAN NORTH AFRICA--Battle for Benghazi: Italians will attempt to force a stalemate outside of Benghazi.
(above)
A: With the Desert Corps on the retreat, British and Iraqi troops begin the final assault on Tobruk in early January.
B: After the fall of Tobruk Italian forces retreat in good order.
C: Italian light infantry still hold the highlands west of Tobuk, while the Desert Corps sets-up for a stand in the province of Ra's at Tin.
D. By mid-march, the British advance has been slowed by counterattacks. The enemy eventually carry the heights west of Tobruk causing another general retreat.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN—Battle for the Tyrrhenian Sea: Italian Naval Combat Experience is still less than two (2.0), so Commando Roma decided to turn the fleet loose to attack Allied shipping. The naval air anti-shipping campaign was temporarily halted to allow the planes to upgrade to the latest torpedoes, meanwhile, fast cruiser squadrons began to patrol the western coastline . . .
(above)
A: Fast cruiser group encounters carrier task group Victorious with escort Duke of York in Western Tyrrhenian Sea, and loses one light cruiser.
B: With air support from Rome a cruiser task group engages the same British carrier task group in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea.
C: The British fleet moves south to the Western Tyrrhenian Sea and is met by a battleship task group. Several hits are made on the Duke of York, but it survives.
D: The cruiser flotilla in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea harrys the enemy, but is savaged by British CAGs. The engagement ends with no losses on either side. The British CTG retires from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN--French Fleets:
(above--top) British CAGs from Victorious encounter interceptors from Palermo as they escort a French fleet in the Narrows. Italian interceptors currently enjoy a speed advantage over the CAGs.
(above—bottom) French fleet attempts to run the blockade of Marseille, but is rebuffed with loss of a light cruiser.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN--Balance of Power: Italy is still cautiously optimistic that it can turn the tide against the British carrier groups by a combination of RADAR, superior armaments, and the latest naval AA guns, but this strategy will take perhaps a year to accomplish. In the mean time the Italian Navy will continue to fight a defensive war.
(above) Notes: Prior sinkings are struck out in red for British victories, and in green for Italian victories. During the current session Italy lost one light cruiser for two British light cruisers and a transport.
Next Time: Germany comes alive
ITALY NAVAL INTELLEGENCE: Intelligence on the Royal Navy is as follows:
Capitol Ship Practical: 17.7
Naval Engineering: 15.3
The British are currently researching:
Fire Control System Training
Battleship Engine
Aircraft Carrier AA
Aircraft Carrier Hangar
ITALIAN RESEARCH: By mid-January Italy completed research into Light Cruiser Escort Role and Training. In mid-March Italy completed research into Small Warship RADAR and Large Warship RADAR. The focus now turns to naval AA guns, and ORG+Moral for battleships, heavy cruisers, and destroyers. Priority is also given to RADAR for interceptors.
FRANCO-ITALIAN WAR--Battle for Marseilles:
(above)
A: Italian troops finally break-through the last of the French mountain fortresses at Albertville.
B: Italian mobile infantry complete the encirclement of Marseille trapping several French Divisions.
C. Italian battleship groups seal the coast to prevent re-enforcement or relief of the besieged town of Marsielles.
ITALIAN NORTH AFRICA--Battle for Benghazi: Italians will attempt to force a stalemate outside of Benghazi.
(above)
A: With the Desert Corps on the retreat, British and Iraqi troops begin the final assault on Tobruk in early January.
B: After the fall of Tobruk Italian forces retreat in good order.
C: Italian light infantry still hold the highlands west of Tobuk, while the Desert Corps sets-up for a stand in the province of Ra's at Tin.
D. By mid-march, the British advance has been slowed by counterattacks. The enemy eventually carry the heights west of Tobruk causing another general retreat.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN—Battle for the Tyrrhenian Sea: Italian Naval Combat Experience is still less than two (2.0), so Commando Roma decided to turn the fleet loose to attack Allied shipping. The naval air anti-shipping campaign was temporarily halted to allow the planes to upgrade to the latest torpedoes, meanwhile, fast cruiser squadrons began to patrol the western coastline . . .
(above)
A: Fast cruiser group encounters carrier task group Victorious with escort Duke of York in Western Tyrrhenian Sea, and loses one light cruiser.
B: With air support from Rome a cruiser task group engages the same British carrier task group in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea.
C: The British fleet moves south to the Western Tyrrhenian Sea and is met by a battleship task group. Several hits are made on the Duke of York, but it survives.
D: The cruiser flotilla in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea harrys the enemy, but is savaged by British CAGs. The engagement ends with no losses on either side. The British CTG retires from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN--French Fleets:
(above--top) British CAGs from Victorious encounter interceptors from Palermo as they escort a French fleet in the Narrows. Italian interceptors currently enjoy a speed advantage over the CAGs.
(above—bottom) French fleet attempts to run the blockade of Marseille, but is rebuffed with loss of a light cruiser.
NAVAL COMBAT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN--Balance of Power: Italy is still cautiously optimistic that it can turn the tide against the British carrier groups by a combination of RADAR, superior armaments, and the latest naval AA guns, but this strategy will take perhaps a year to accomplish. In the mean time the Italian Navy will continue to fight a defensive war.
(above) Notes: Prior sinkings are struck out in red for British victories, and in green for Italian victories. During the current session Italy lost one light cruiser for two British light cruisers and a transport.
Next Time: Germany comes alive
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