Italy was the opponent France might conceivably face without an ally immediately entering the war. Geography divided the western Mediterranean into zones of French and Italian air influence, while North African supply routes shaped convoy requirements. The expected division of labor put light cruisers and destroyers against commerce and concentrated heavier units against the Regia Marina. French planners expected the decisive surface struggle near Corsica and Sardinia, where crossing from one side of the islands to the other also changed which air force could dominate the fleet.
Chapter · 1:12:00-1:20:20
The French war plan against Italy in the western Mediterranean
Light forces would attack Italian trade while French capital ships and heavy cruisers concentrated for a fleet action around Corsica and Sardinia.