Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:55:29-5:09:10

Italian carriers force an Allied Mediterranean buildup

Italian carriers alter Allied planning before the war, accelerate British and French carrier construction, and give the Regia Marina useful reconnaissance and fighter defense even with modest aircraft.

Aircraft CarriersFleet Air DefenceFrench NavyMediterranean TheatreRegia MarinaRoyal Navy
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Question

How would the Mediterranean theater change if Italy entered the war with aircraft carriers?

Short answer

Allied carrier construction and deployment accelerate, Italian procurement shifts, and the Regia Marina gains reconnaissance and fleet air defense that opponents cannot ignore.

Notes

Italian carriers available in 1939 are assumed to have been planned in 1934-35 and under construction by about 1936, giving Britain and France time to respond. The Royal Navy would want paired carriers for Mediterranean operations, possibly accelerating another Ark Royal-type ship and preventing delays to the Illustrious program. Italy might have to postpone later Littorio-class battleships to free yard capacity. Embarking aircraft would also give the navy practical control of them at sea, although relations with the air force and access to pilots would remain problems. Allied planners would have to allow for functioning Italian carriers rather than assume the aircraft were ineffective. Within Italy's Mediterranean requirements, reconnaissance and air defense could make even a limited air group valuable.