The early Mediterranean campaign was even more "phony" than the better-known lull on the Franco-German frontier. Both fleets remained active, but each tried to avoid an encounter on the other side’s preferred terms. Italy could nominally count five battleships, although Andrea Doria was still commissioning and lacked a full crew. Cunningham generally had only about three viable battleships for the fighting line, so the Royal Navy sought battle only under conditions that offset the imbalance. The apparent inactivity reflected purposeful operational maneuver and Britain’s need to change the balance.
Notable Point · 7:05-7:49
The Mediterranean’s "phony war" concealed a fleet imbalance
British and Italian forces maneuvered without seeking battle on equal terms, while Italy’s larger battleship force constrained Cunningham’s choices.