Before contact develops, the Italian force is identified as destroyer-heavy and the British disposition changes accordingly. Ships receive screening duty, line-ahead orders, and tight spacing. These formation choices respond to the expected threat before torpedoes are already in the water. The later battle tests those precautions and reveals that the force still lacks enough destroyer escorts and rapid-firing secondary weapons.
Notable Point · 2:12:10-2:13:20
Screen disposition before a destroyer-heavy action
Recognizing a destroyer-heavy opponent prompts an immediate switch to screening orders, line ahead, and tight spacing.