Mattesini, Francesco Le deludenti missioni della flotta italiana

The Battle of Cape Spada (19 July 1940) was a clash between an Italian convoy and British naval forces in the Aegean Sea. The light cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni of the Regia Marina was sunk by fire from the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney and British destroyers. It was one of the first naval battles of the war, signalling a clear victory for the Allies and demonstrating Italy's vulnerability in the eastern Mediterranean. The Battle of Cape Teulada, also known as the Battle of Cape Spartivento, took place on 27 November 1940, when British and Italian forces clashed to intercept an Italian convoy en route to Libya. The battle was inconclusive, with damage on both sides but no sinking. However, it showed how prudent (or indecisive) the Italian command was in deploying its large ships. On 27 and 29 March 1941, it was Matapan's turn, a disaster for the Regia Marina: an Italian convoy led by the Vittorio Veneto was intercepted and heavily hit by the Royal Navy, which benefited from the interception of Italian communications and the use of radar. Three Italian heavy cruisers (Zara, Fiume, Pola) and two destroyers were sunk. The battle marked the end of the offensive deployment of larger units by the Italian navy. In the Battle of Capo Passero (11-12 October 1940), the Italian torpedo boats Airone, Ariel and Artigliere attacked the British cruiser HMS Ajax and suffered heavy losses: Airone and Ariel were sunk, Artigliere was damaged and sunk the next day. While the battle was valiant, it also highlighted the technological difference, particularly in the use of radar. These battles highlighted the structural difficulties of the Regia Marina: lack of radar, logistical deficiencies and strategic indecision.