Italian submarines achieved early results, but operating from East African bases exposed severe support problems. Refrigeration failures and chlorine hazards showed how badly the infrastructure could undermine the boats. The bases sat near the practical limits of supply and maintenance. Sustained naval strength far forward depended as much on shore facilities as on the warships themselves.
Notable Point · 30:34-31:07
Italian submarines and the limits of forward basing
Early submarine successes could not remove the refrigeration, maintenance, and supply problems imposed by distant East African bases.