Claire Clark expects improved Italian dual-purpose guns to leave fuel shortages, anti-submarine weaknesses, and service-coordination problems unresolved. Heavier batteries might reduce damage at Taranto, but the expected operational gains are marginal overall. Alex Clarke questions even that Taranto benefit because defenders feared hitting the town and their own families. British approach directions exploited that concern, forcing caution when aircraft appeared with the town behind them. Better guns would therefore remain constrained by where defenders could safely fire.
Notable Point · 2:32:54-2:34:32
Would stronger anti-aircraft batteries change Taranto?
Heavier Italian air defenses would still face fuel and operational problems, with a separate concern about firing toward the town at Taranto.