The Francesco Caracciolo design combines attractive lines, useful firing arcs and strong projected fighting qualities. A Regia Marina built around four of these ships alongside the Littorios would have had a far more formidable fast capital-ship force. That Italian strength could also have pushed Britain away from the 14-inch King George V battery and toward a new 15-inch weapon, with possible refit consequences for older Royal Navy battleships. Speed, armament and fleet composition would shape the operational response as much as the design's appearance.
Notable Point · 2:41:35-2:45:48
Francesco Caracciolo and the Italian Navy that might have been
The unbuilt Francesco Caracciolos show how four 28-knot, 15-inch-gun battleships could have transformed Italy's World War II battle line.