The fleet's survival does not remove the political need to demonstrate Allied staying power. Ambassador Kennedy and others are described as telling Washington that European resistance will collapse and that accommodation with the dictatorships is prudent. Early victories in Libya and at Taranto could challenge that case. Battlefield results would shape neutral American perceptions even when the coalition's underlying military position was already stronger.
Notable Point · 1:41:41-1:44:37
Allied victories still have to convince American skeptics
Libya, Taranto, and other visible successes could rebut arguments in Washington that European resistance would soon collapse.