Italian Battleships of World War II

Italian Battleships of World War II cover

Italian Battleships of World War II

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Description

Often overlooked as a naval power of WWII, Italy's Regia Marina was, upon the declaration of war against France, the fourth largest navy in the world. Despite its numbers, the Italian fleet was made up of largely obsolete vessels, none being equipped with radar, and had a reputation for having inadequately-trained crews. Added to these drawbacks, the Italian commanders did not enjoy the discretion of command at sea that their counterparts in the service of other nations did, being directed closely by the Supermarina (Italian Naval Headquarters). Despite these obstacles, and the heavy losses inflicted upon the fleet by the Royal Navy while in harbour at Taranto, the battleships of the Italian Navy enjoyed a good reputation for being well-designed, and served with courage and determination at Punto Stilo/Calabria, Sirte, Cape Spartivento, and Cape Matapan. Mark Stille details, with the aid of many stunning photographs, including several from the Italian Navy's own archives, the battleships of one of the forgotten navies of WWII.

Table of Contents

Introduction • Italian naval strategy and the role of the battleship • Italian naval tactics and the role of the battleship • Italian battleship design and development up until the First World War and the impact of the Washington and London Naval Treaties • Italian Battleship weapons • Italian Battleship • The Battleship classes (Cavour Class, Duilio Class, Vittorio Veneto Class) • Italian Battleships at War • Conclusion

Product details

Published Aug 23 2011
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781849083805
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 44 b/w
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 182
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Mark Stille

Mark Stille is the author of numerous Osprey title…

Illustrator

Paul Wright

Paul Wright has painted ships of all kinds for mos…

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