A larger Taranto defeat is presented as a serious threat to Mussolini's regime without assuming that it would bring the regime down. His responsibilities as minister of both the navy and air force connect the naval disaster directly to his government. Repaired ships and renewed operations historically allowed him to point to recovery after Taranto. The counterfactual removes that opportunity for an extended period and considers the consequences for his authority in Italy and his relationship with Germany.
Notable Point · 1:24:56-1:26:33
A greater Taranto defeat threatens Mussolini's authority
The counterfactual links a prolonged loss of the battle fleet to Mussolini's ministerial responsibilities and relations with Germany.