The Italian action exposes a weak screen around the battle fleet. Torpedoes bracket a battleship, and the update's stronger destroyers immediately reveal the need for more escorts. Faster-firing 6-inch weapons and upgraded 3-inch batteries are planned so capital ships can defeat small attackers that penetrate the screen. Easy victories over France had encouraged complacent fleet handling, and the destroyer-heavy opponent reveals the weakness before the battle is over.
Notable Point · 2:15:21-2:21:54
Destroyer-heavy force teaches a screening lesson
A torpedo-heavy Italian force forces a rethink of destroyer escorts and rapid-firing secondary guns.