UPDATE IN PROGRESS
Un impero in cui il sole non va mai giù
[Sorry... an error with internet explorer means that pictures will have to wait a day or so... hopefully not more]
The end of 1941 marked a significant expansion the war in Africa and the Middle East. The highly successful Operation Battleaxe had made the Italiy seize full momentum and inflicted catastrophic losses on the Allied forces. The inevitable result was that Oman on October 6th 1941 gratefully accepted to become a part of the increasingly powerful Italian empire. Not only had the British lost Oman, but Italian troops had also forced them out of territories as far south as Lindi. The consequences of this progress were dramatic for the Allies. Not only were South Africa in dange, but Italian supremacy in the region could eventually threaten British possessions in India or the important oil depots in Persia.
The Allies quickly took action and transferred massive forces to the theatre, but with mixed results. While generally being able to hold back Italian forces in West Africa, they were unable to force back the Regia Marina from the Coast of East Africa and the West Arabian Bassin. In fact, Italian supremacy in the skies resulted in the sinking of the British aircraft carrier HMS Eagle. Meanwhile, hectic planning for Operation Sword - the combined operations against Persia and India - was taking place in Rome.
Operation Sword called for an amphibious landing in Karachi with 6 divisions including the two marine divisions to secure the naval base and more importantly the airfield. The capture of Karachi would also ensure that British reinforcements were unable to reach Persia once the Italian attack commenced. The first phase of Operation Sword took place on November 27th 1941 followed by a massive attack on Persia in mid December launched simultaneously from Iraq and the bridgehead in Karachi. Convinced by the superiority of the Italian forces, Commando Supremo had chosen not to dilute the forces in Africa too much and the forces were therefore roughly equivalent in size. Combined with fierce fighting from Persian troops, this resulted in that it was not until March 20th 1942 that Persia was finally annexed by Italy. The strategy of seizing Karachi in advance of the attack on Persia was highly successful. Not only did it force the Persian troops to fight a two-front war, but it also prohibited the Allies from sending reinforcements to aid the Persians in their futile fighting.
While Operation Sword was still in planning, the American oil embargo and continuous interference in Japans sphere of interest resulted in a Japanese declaration of war on the U.S.A. Il Duce strongly supported the Japanese claim for control in the Asia-Pacific theatre and declared war on the U.S.A together with the other Axis powers. However, some concern existed in Commando Supremo that significant involvement in India and Africa could be expected. It turned out that Commando Supremo was both right and wrong... American forces didn't interfere with Operation Sword as they were caught off guard by the Japanese attack. However, Great Britain urged for US support in Mare Nostrum and the entire US Atlantic fleet was dispatched to Italian waters.
On December 4th 1941, 11 American ships passed through the straits of Gibraltar and was spotted by the Italian torpedo bombers. The main Italian fleet was supporting Operation Sword, so it was only possible to send a minor fleet of 13 Italian ships including Littorio, Vittorio Veneto and Europa. While the fleets were roughly of comparable strength, the Italian forces had been hardened by intense fighting with the British forces for more than two years. That experience would prove devastating in the coming battle. Rough winter storms in Mare Nostrum and lack of experience had resulted in that the American capital ships had been separated from their destroyer escort. The Italian task force therefore had a clear advantage facing only the American aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and three battleships USS California, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The battle was swift and decisive resulting in a total defeat for the Americans loosing all four ships, with Littorio alone accounting for sinking two of the battleships.
Being all excited about returning to the game I started on the quest of actually locating the save game... That should of course not be a problem. However, as always in these situations there is a catch. Long story short, it took me hours (literally) rampaging through stacks of CDs before finally locating the save game on a memory stick!!! Victorious 
