The counterfactual begins with the Regia Marina achieving better results because its shells work reliably. A much tougher Mediterranean contest would bring a Royal Navy response built around Nelson and Rodney. Sustained Italian success could also speed completion of HMS Vanguard and perhaps revive some Lion-class construction. The same pressure might accelerate large fleet carriers such as the Audacious or Malta designs. British production moved slowly when the existing force seemed adequate and could move faster when a stronger enemy changed the requirement.
Notable Point · 1:52:21-1:53:37
Working Italian shells and a British building response
More reliable Italian ammunition could have made the Mediterranean campaign harder and accelerated British battleship and carrier programmes.