The Mediterranean threat already forced much imperial trade around Africa, but Britain could still supply Suez and Alexandria from the south. Italian planners envisioned submarines, destroyers, and aircraft attacking defended convoys. Marines could board lightly protected merchant ships while torpedo boats discouraged pursuit. If maintained for months, that pressure might have depleted British stocks and reduced the eastern Mediterranean fleet's usefulness. The concept had strategic logic only if Italy could sustain its isolated attackers for the same period.
Chapter · 41:05-47:49
The flotilla's mission was to squeeze the Suez supply route
Submarines, destroyers, aircraft, and torpedo boats were meant to disrupt the Red Sea route and strain British forces around Alexandria and Suez.