Table of Contents

Introduction Chronology Design and Development The Strategic Situation Technical Specifications The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Conclusion Bibliography Index

Promotional Information

During the struggle for the Mediterranean in World War II, British and Italian battleships entered combat on three occasions in 1940 and 1941. In this fully illustrated account of these battles, historian Mark Stille assesses the technology, crews, doctrine and combat record of the capital ships that took part.

About the Author

Mark E. Stille (Commander, United States Navy, retired) spent his naval career as in intelligence officer serving on the Joint Staff, the faculty of the Naval War College, and in the ship's company of two aircraft carriers. He is the author of over 40 Osprey titles, focusing on the naval history of the Pacific War. He recently retired from government service after a total of 39 years in the intelligence community and now lives in Maryland. Paul Wright has painted ships of all kinds for most of his career, specializing in steel and steam warships from the late 19th century to the present day. Paul’s art has illustrated the works of Patrick O’Brian, Dudley Pope and C.S. Forester amongst others, and hangs in many corporate and private collections all over the world. A Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, Paul lives and works in Surrey. Born in Malaya in 1949, Alan Gilliland spent 18 years as the graphics editor of the Daily Telegraph, winning 19 awards in that time. He now writes, illustrates and publishes fiction (www.ravensquill.com), as well as illustrating for a variety of publishers (alangillilandillustration.blogspot.com). He is based in Lincolnshire, UK.