Chapter 7. Waiting the baiting - Part 2.
Italian production kept running smoothly. About at the end of July new fortifications were completed on the Ethiopian Wall, on the Adwa province. Then, the first Italian Improved Heavy Cruiser is deployed (to be known as Varese-class.) No more than 10 days later another CVL was deployed. The Regia Marina can now count on 7 Early Light Carriers.
The first Progetto Nettuno unit is also completed. A few days later, the last factory is built in Florence. Now Italy has 83 base ICs.
After Dutch Capitulation in mid-August, chances for a closer war were increasing. An Air Force rationalization was ordered by Giuseppe Valle, Air Force Chief.
Italian Intelligence keeps working great. Not only they managed to find and arrest a British spy. The same day they also manage to grab the schemes for British Medium Tanks. A week later, Italian Headquarter in the Africa Orientale Italiana is updated to ’39 standards.
Italian cabinet meets on 21th September. France managed to break German resistance at Saarbrucken. Despite this, it’s still too early for Italy to join the war. Il Vallo D’Etiopia is far from completed, and the modernization of the army is still at its early stages. Neutrality is maintained.
In November Cavagnari finally ends thinking about how to employ those CV in Regia Marina operations.. Cantieri Navali Riuniti start thinking about how to fight submarines better. A week later, Balbo begins working on formations fighting. Italian spies managed to steal another doctrine for Strat bombers, in the meanwhile.
In mid November the Soviet Union declares war on Finland. Mussolini, very disappointed, wanted to declare war immediately on those commies, but Galeazzo Ciano once more managed to calm him down. A war, with that uncertain situation on the Western front, was the last thing to do at the moment.
Ethiopian Wall is ready on 3 out of 4 provinces of the perimeter. The spare ICs are used to field Garrison units with Military police brigades. A few days later another Zara-class CA is ready. Further production is arrested, and the first MOT infantry production order is issued. Same treatment for one of the 2 long CVL serial (losing gearing here hurts!)
A spy just won a prize-cruise.
Time to improve artillery…
And a slider move towards Standing Army.