Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:05:53-3:07:15

Italian assault boats would invite rapid-fire defenses

Carrying MT assault boats with cruisers and battleships adds small attackers but also gives opponents an obvious reason to fit more rapid-fire guns.

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Question

What if the Regia Marina carried MT assault boats to support cruiser and battleship operations?

Short answer

The boats add a niche threat, but their carriage complicates the fleet and encourages opponents to strengthen rapid-fire close defense.

Notes

Carrying Italian MT assault boats with the battle fleet would require battleships and cruisers to be designed around launching, recovering, and supporting them. That commitment consumes space and weight before the small craft reach an enemy. The Royal Navy and other opponents could answer by increasing rapid-fire weapons suited to engaging fast boats at short range. Suitable examples include 40 mm, 57 mm, 76 mm, and six-pounder weapons, turning the proposal into another offence-defence trade rather than a one-sided advantage.