Force K's attacks demanded an Italian response. German authorities then tried to take over the Regia Marina's direction and tell it what to do. In this assessment, the Germans understood the situation even less well than the Italians. The convoy crisis also exposed a coalition command problem, since Germany tried to direct a partner navy without adequate local understanding.
Notable Point · 1:21-1:30
German interference in the Regia Marina's response
German attempts to direct the Regia Marina's response to Force K reflected, in this assessment, an even poorer understanding of the local situation than Italy's.