Britain and France must combine enough surviving capital ships to defeat or contain the Italian battle fleet. Operational control at sea would then cover the movement of troops and supplies needed for a counteroffensive in North Africa. Yet Britain has already divided its available army between the Far East, continental Europe, and the defence of Egypt and the Middle East. Keeping the Mediterranean and Suez route open is therefore the urgent priority because routing everything around the Cape of Good Hope adds five or six weeks to the journey. A Mediterranean naval victory would keep the wider war supplied. Prestige is secondary.
Chapter · 49:39-50:58
Mediterranean sea control protects the Suez route
Defeating or containing the Italian fleet is urgent because the Mediterranean keeps Allied supplies moving toward the Far Eastern war.