At Cape Matapan, carrier aircraft struck the Italian force at range and disabled an enemy ship. British surface forces then closed after dark and destroyed the isolated ships in detail. The battle is assessed as an unusually close realization of the Royal Navy's prewar doctrine. The sequence connected a long-range air strike with a decisive surface action after dark.
Notable Point · 1:58:42-2:00:07
Cape Matapan realized the prewar battle plan
Cape Matapan followed Royal Navy prewar doctrine unusually closely: strike at range, disable the enemy, then close at night.