The two battleship divisions take positions around Spalato and Cattaro to guard the approaches through the Adriatic. A large submarine force would make the enclosed sea dangerous without requiring another line of capital ships. Submarine technology is not yet available, so experiments remain a protected research priority while the fleet waits for a workable boat. The geography lets a smaller navy pursue local denial instead of matching a larger opponent ship for ship.
Chapter · 50:21-53:19
Submarines promise Adriatic sea denial
Battleship groups and future submarines are assigned to turn the narrow Adriatic approaches into a defended denial zone.