The Turbine class was closer to a torpedo boat than a full destroyer. Its speed and offensive character did not solve the anti-destroyer and escort tasks required by a battle fleet. Wartime escort assignments then trapped ships intended for fast torpedo attacks in the defensive work they were least equipped to perform. That weakness forced the Regia Marina to rely heavily on cruisers for work that a balanced destroyer screen should have performed.
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Small Italian destroyers and the escort gap
Italian small destroyers emphasised offensive speed but lacked key capabilities needed to screen capital ships.