Axis capital-ship commanders faced an operational trap. They were permitted to fight, but political and command consequences made serious loss unacceptable. No commander can guarantee victory before an engagement, so an aggressive destroyer attack could compel a much stronger ship to disengage rather than accept torpedo risk. Vittorio Veneto being driven off by a Tribal-class destroyer illustrates how strategic loss aversion constrained tactical choices. A later clarification identifies that destroyer as HMS Sikh rather than HMS Somali.
Notable Point · 1:48:02-1:53:00
Orders to avoid risk weakened Axis tactical freedom
German and Italian commanders were expected to fight only when victory looked certain, a standard that made aggressive enemy moves disproportionately effective.