so... maybe Italy could get Lybia?
Libya and their rightful lands in the north!
Well that is interesting, no shortage of fighting and opportunities to expand Italian power.
Grossdeutschland seems like this would be inevitable at this point, Bismarck may not want it but he'll be forced to by popular nationalist opinion.
I'd almost feel cheated if Jape/the game went full derp-iness and kept Austria apart from her true calling.
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This has already lasted far beyond expectations, though the fact I've caught up could end up being the kiss of death.
Looking ominous for the Italian fleet, the coming battle may not end well for them. Being positive it could be a heroic but bloody victory that becomes the foundation myth of the unified service (similar to Treviso for the army), so fingers crossed for that.
If it does go badly that presumably makes a British alliance a bit more attractive, the Royal Navy covers the Italian's lack of fleet and are relaxed about Italy claiming Libya. The British get another member of the coalition they (should) be planning against Bismark.
As always very interesting. Also those are beautiful ships! Intrigued to see how this naval battle turns out...
well, now it's the time for the Regia Marina to arise from the ashes of defeat
From such defeats can sometimes spring great and grand things.
Perhaps this is an Admiral Byng moment.
Seems unfairly harsh on the good admiral, that verdict...
Interesting and it didn't go quite as badly as I had feared, though obviously still not good. I can't really have too much sympathy for di Persano, he wasn't an admiral thrust into a bad position by inept political leadership, he had been Minister of Marine so any political failures were his as well, at least partly. I'd agree you can't completely rebuild and reform an entire navy in four years, but you can do a hell of a lot and I don't think di Persano even tried.
The big lesson, which sadly Italy has missed, should have been to not combine Commander-in-Chief, senior fighting admiral and Minister for Marine in one person. Each of those is a very different full time job, requiring different skills. Even if you could find someone who could do all that, how would they find the time?
A fascinating look into one of my favourite areas of the game. I do feel rather sorry for the Conte di Persano; he was cautious true, but not unreasonably so. Italy was not ready to fight a war at sea.
I also like the personal touches here, with Captain Zupelli giving us a 'face' in the battle.