DLC, an Italy AAR

[garrisonchisholm]

May 3, 2022 8:13:40 GMT -6 cogsandspigots said:

Mar 29, 2022 15:33:17 GMT -6 garrisonchisholm said:

If you want my best guess this AAR will resume in 4-5 weeks, but as soon as I get the go-ahead I will let everyone know I have started again before I post more story.  *thumbs up*

You know I have to ask now, right?

Do I laugh?  Or sigh.  Maybe both.  -  I will take your query in good sport Sir, and say that I will restart as soon as I get the go-ahead.  The desire is for all the ships in the game to reflect the new level of quality our artwork has achieved.  The ships I drew myself in this game so-far will look like child's scrawls in comparison (if they don't already), and I'll have to spruce them up at their next overhauls.

I know, the constantly moving goalposts, but we are all doing our best for this game we love, I promise you.

If the "game world" I was starting to unveil was intriguing enough, I could do some more world-building without moving the clock, if there was sufficient interest.  Is that 'Like trolling?'  Have I become a Like Troller?  This new communication age is fraught with such perils...

[garrisonchisholm]

May 4, 2022 6:45:51 GMT -6 anoniemuis said:

Please do expand the "game world", it would at least give us some hope.

Oh pshaw!    Frustration and impatience I can accept, but hope should not be at issue.  The product will come out, the AAR will proceed, the only issue is when.

I am easy though, 2 Likes and an entreaty are quite enough to move me.     I will expand on the game world as I am able to.  I might have to invent...yes, Yes, ... gadzooks that's a good idea Gary.  Why thank you Gary!

*goes off to tinker in the 'joy from fiction' shop...*

[garrisonchisholm]

"...What is this?"

"It is my flight evaluation."

"6 Pages?  Mio Dio, this is for flag officers not engineers, the planes are built; they will never read this.  Just give me the first page, that wi-"

"I will re-write it."

Flight Reviews of Capitano Fulco Ruffo di Calabria,

Squadron of Aces

ANSALDO AC 60

Powerplant: 1 × Fiat SAI II (101 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 81 kn
Range: (68 nmi)
Endurance: 1 hours 20 minutes
Service ceiling: 5,000 m

The license-built Ansaldo version of the Fokker DVI is a simple aircraft to mount and maneuver on the ground, with a tight turn radius which should be amenable for ship-board use.  Startup is swift and clean, one of the few virtues of the power-plant.  Idle is surprisingly quiet and the cylinders come to temperature fairly swiftly.  Roll-out is not as smooth as one would expect for an aircraft intended for naval use, likely a product of the attempt at soft springs.  The plane lifts admirably due to its low weight, but demonstrates a distinct disinterest in upwards progress until it nears maximum speed.  Maneuver is acceptable if far from adroit, though low speed handling near stall is surprisingly smooth, indicating perhaps desirable characteristics for a limited box landing environment.

A chief issue seems to be a need for an unfortunately high idle when at temperature, as twice I had the motor cut-out just before landing.  Not an irrevocably horrible trait on an airfield, but a distinct concern if one is contemplating landing on a ship at sea.  Once landed the run-out is at least short, suggesting 100m if properly used might be acceptable.  Rudder slip is loose however, so landing on a fine approach is dodgy.

All told I would recommend this as a marginally acceptable aircraft for ship-board use, but it is not an aircraft that cries Military Aviation.  Its top speed is now poor, and its engine feeble and seemingly fickle.  It is likely wise that its replacement is already in production.

VIII

[garrisonchisholm]

"Have you ever even taxied a seaplane?"

"I don't see how that is relevant."

"You're going to be testing!  Shouldn't you just familiarize yourself with the plane today and test tomorrow?"

"Everyone has to a first time, it won't be a problem."

"Il Duce will be here today, that means lots of press.  Don't put a cartwheel on the front page."

"I don't know, it might push a paragraph of crap to Page 2."

Flight Reviews of Capitano Fulco Ruffo di Calabria,
Squadron of Aces

CANT Z.63

Powerplant: 1 × Isotta Fraschini V.6 inline piston engine (122 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 86kn

Range: 105nm

Endurance: 1 hour 30 minutes
Service ceiling: 6,000 m

The Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Triestini '63 was capably engineered by Filippo Zappata to become the Schneider Trophy Champion of 1921.  Unfortunately the version in military service carries half the horsepower and none of the distinct refinements of a racer.  Still, the aircraft is a superior machine if not combatant to the Ansaldo acquired as the Navy's first fighter, though it rightly is now only considered as a ship-born scout.

Boarding the aircraft gives a distinct feeling of security due to the placement of the cockpit tub within the hull.  The controls are neatly arrayed, an attention to detail not typically found in production aircraft.  I am not certain Mediterranean Olive is necessarily economical for the instrument panel in a large lot aircraft order, however the bronze Schneider Trophy badge in the corner is well crafted.  Start-up is found to be difficult due to the pusher arrangement, as the electric starter - over time and on this day - lacks the power to reliably turn the engine.  Once started taxi is somewhat cumbersome if manageable due to the pace required to rudder the heading, though of course this would not be an issue with the catapult techniques now in development.  Waterborne lift-off is likewise ponderous, again fortunately remedied by a propelled launch.  The controls are sluggish, immediately informing the user that aerobatics should be out of the question.  Having then attempted those aerobatics I can most heartily agree.  Though not a typical part of a scouting flight plan, flying inverted causes the engine to miss strokes.

With a cruising speed only 7kn behind the maximum of the AC.60 the plane's pedigree shows as it fits into the air nicely.  Only sporting a 100-odd mile range would seem to mandate a radio system be eventually contrived as by the time the plane returns to report more than an hour of travel would need to be surmised.  Landing I found to my surprise to be rather easy as there is little requirement for a precise line of approach or concerns for perfect lateral balance.  The test was not performed on a choppy sea so I cannot vouch for stability in such an environment.  The forward firing Vickers could very well be deleted, it would take an absolute cock-up for this aircraft to have a chance to use it.

While giving full marks for fit & finish, I will merely call the aircraft acceptable for naval service.  If for nothing else than range a replacement would however be encouraged.

VIII

[garrisonchisholm]

"Tenente Colonnello de Pinedo is making noises about flying around the world in one of these."

"Not in one of these, but soon."

"Testing a flying-boat is the dull end of our assignment, wouldn't you agree?"

"Being in the air is never dull.  It is living."

"You deeply rue that the Bongiovanni Commission denied you #20."

"That's it.  You're coming along today."

Flight Reviews of Capitano Fulco Ruffo di Calabria,
Squadron of Aces

REGGIANE Z.66 B

Powerplant: 2 × FIAT R6 (70 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 53kn
Range: 132nm
Service ceiling: 3500m

Another Zappata design while moonlighting for Reggiane, the '66 is comfortable to board and occupy thanks to the side-by-side seating.  The tandem mounting of the two engines driving a common shaft is novel, and start-up is not difficult in part due to their small displacement.  Their small displacement however has an atrocious impact on the plane's performance.   An attempt at achieving high reliability the simple and small engines are barely able to lift the craft from the water as there is almost too much hull-drag to overcome.  Reggiane's immediate declaration that the craft could be fitted to carry bombs with the 'b' model was hardly due to an innovation in propulsion but rather a mere administrative response to RM desires for an ASW capability.  The aircraft is also another desperate cry for a Marconi device, as by the time the aircraft crawls back to report a spotted foe could be 3 hours from where it was seen.

The aircraft climbs laboriously, turns languidly, and has an unfortunate tendency somehow to side-slip with too much angle of bank.  Landing seems to display the aircraft's relief at leaving the air.  Quite honestly I would not recommend this aircraft for military service.  It is suitable for harbor tours and little else, although we note the Navy in their wisdom has 78 in service and 26 in reserve.  It should be replaced at first opportunity.

VIII

[garrisonchisholm]

After a long month of debate and consultation the Naval Year at last proceeded.  The most important initial stroke was ordering full squadrons of 18 torpedo bombers deployed to all 27 aerodromes, 468 duty aircraft requested from CANT.  The aircraft had not even been flown enough to be certain of its quality, but the planes were needed.  Then in July the oldest 4 da Vinci's were ordered scrapped, with development work begun on the light carrier conversions of the class and the oldest 4 of the remaining 8 mothballed.  The type which emerged from the conversion studies was rather more disappointing than originally estimated, making only 19 knots due to their archaic hull dynamics.  They would be of little use but providing air cover over the battle-line, but they were a first inexpensive step while the world's navies decided how to approach air-power.

(This rebuild does not, of course, look anything like our new templates, for I wanted to maintain a connection to the ship's origins as a battleship)

In August there was a revolution in Mozambique which summoned an international flotilla to restore order and ensure the security of European nationals.  The King ordered the 1st Battle Division to participate, granting Italy some standing in the region and a mollification of international concerns amongst the participating parties.  While this drama was playing out over 3 weeks in the papers, aircraft manufacturer Macchi offered a privately developed torpedo bomber to the navy.  It promised to be no better than the Navy's in-service model though, so the offer was declined.  September saw the completion of a large set of coastal batteries in Ceylon, and at much the same hour the order was made to withdraw the Navy's first Ansaldo fighters from service, to encourage the procurement of the seemingly far superior Breda.  With the Breda Fighter and CANT TB being current-year models, a request was made for a new flying scout, whose contesting types would be due for evaluation early next year.  The end of 1924 saw some wartime alliances begin to evaporate for Spain while at the same time rebellions against their overlords occurred in both Spanish Guam and Japanese Shanghai.

In January of the new year, the first of the new naval expansion orders were laid down; the Heavy Armored Cruiser Varese, 2 more Nino Light Cruisers, and the first light carrier rebuild.  At this time it was also realized that the 4 mothballed battleships remaining of the da Vinci's had near zero value, and so were also scrapped.  There were few immediate concerns to be seen for the Regia Marina, unless the troubles in Mozambique were to unexpectedly expand...

[zederfflinger]

... and that is how Italy was pulled into a disastrous war with the Triple Alliance of Britain, France, and Russia. 

[garrisonchisholm]

"It looks like le Conducteur is going to try to solve French problems by pointing at Germany."

"Good luck to him on that front."

"Our alliance would pull us in if that happened.  I'd rather prefer a newer plane as the Navy's fighter."

"It has rather unique advantages, I would not worry about it yet."

"What about next year?"

"It is not next year."

Flight Reviews of Capitano Fulco Ruffo di Calabria,
Squadron of Aces

Breda Ba. 84B

Powerplant: 1 × Isotta-Fraschini Asso 9-cylinder air-cooled ducted-radial engine, 146 hp

Performance

Maximum speed: 98kn
Combat Radius: 65 nmi
Service ceiling: 6,450 m

The Breda 84 'b' is a remarkable improvement over the original model, which itself was only selected because of its remarkable gun arrangement.  The development of the weapons suite was significantly influenced by air-combat reports from pilots during the '20-'22 war with France, which commented on how frequently enemy aircraft could twitch out of the line of fire.  Breda's novel solution was to mount a second pair of Vickers guns on the upper wing, but with a 10th of a degree of positive arc.  At suggested firing ranges an enemies' fuselage could still be struck by all 4 guns with a dead-on shot, but if the enemy pulled up-and-away the apparent odds of drawing through one of the gun's lines of fire projected to increase.  The Navy barely accepted the prototype for production, but having double the armament was too much to pass-up.  Thankfully Breda was able to introduce a more powerful engine within a year, and the current model has nothing to be ashamed of.

The cockpit is a bit cramped due to the already swift sweep of the fuselage flowing to the tail.  Start-up is neat, the engine sound something to get used to with the buried radial.  Although engineering seems to have succeeded in creating such an always-hot power-plant that is not unreliable, we heartily encourage the Navy to insist that future aircraft not try to walk the line between innovation and madness.  The machine taxis well and lifts easily.  With a 700ft/min rate of climb interception of incoming attacks is performed much more reliably than with the Ansaldo.  Regrettably in maneuverability there is no improvement over its predecessor, with most maneuvers on the manifest reported identically.  Landing is not complicated, sighting actually improved over a typical radial due the scalloping of the nose.

Still with much improvement to go, especially in range and maneuverability, this aircraft will be hard to replace as it is currently still 20 knots faster than the French Breuget with twice the firepower, and should be friendly to carrier landings.  Although foreign developments always need to be watched, I do not fear for our pilots in this aircraft.

VIII

[garrisonchisholm]

"There goes the forward turret of Giulio."

"A grotesque waste of resources."

"The Abruzzi seemed to think otherwise, taking a modest step towards sea-borne squadrons?"

"Cowardly, not modest.  He will realize his error by summer."

Flight Reviews of Capitano Fulco Ruffo di Calabria,
Squadron of Aces

CANT Z.89

Powerplant: 1 × Fiat SAI II (100 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 80 kn
Range, loaded: 45nmi
Service ceiling: 4,000 m

The Z.89 surprised me with my initial taxi, proving relatively nimble, when I was flagged back to the hangar to have a dummy torpedo loaded.

It is hard for me to convey in words how reprehensible it is that the term 'aircraft' is used in conjunction with this machine.  It starts, is about where the positive elements of my review end.  It is spartan, unimpressive, austere, archaic, and feeble.  I had hoped I would never see the Ansaldo's engine again, much to my dismay it is employed here as well.  The instrumentation causes the pilot to pay much more attention to the view forward on take-off as it is far more valuable than anything you would learn from the gauges.  They are so small they are reminiscent of engineering measures one would only use on a test-stand.  Take off is long.  Did I mention the take off is long?  It is long.  Flying it from a field may be suitable, never would I wish to try to fly it from a ship, especially when the only aircraft carriers in our navy's future at the moment could be outpaced by a running man.

Climb is more of a negotiation than an act.  Maintaining the effective angle of attack is maddeningly tenuous with as much play as exists in the ailerons, and if there is a pilot that could actually get this loaded to 4,000m I would like to meet him.  Once the aircraft finally achieves something akin to straight and level flight the sense of order thus inspired actively discourages the pilot from thinking about maneuvering, not the most desirable trait in a combat aircraft.  In a shallow, shallow dive towards the target barge in harbour I could not help but count the length of time I would have been relatively motionless in a gunner's sights.  Then after dropping the test-load suddenly I was in control of a machine approximating an aircraft.  Landing was almost nice, though that may simply be in comparison to the previous 40 minutes of flight.

After reviewing the Navy's flying boat I advocated for its immediate replacement.  I retract that advice and here suggest, no, PLEAD that the navy's torpedo squadrons receive a better aircraft.  I cannot imagine strike missions will be worthwhile in the '89.

VIII

[garrisonchisholm]

1925 was scheduled to place the building plan well on its way, as including laying down the 4 ships of January a further 4 would be laid down of identical type and quantity, the 16 ships of the program spaced out 10 months each to permit them all to be underway by the end of 1927.  However in July a colonial disagreement with France over one of the minor islands NE of Singapore lead to a crisis, causing The Abruzzi to declare to reporters the following month that the entire building schedule would be accelerated if Le Conducteur were foolish enough to again force France into war.   Il Duce was quiet at this, as he felt Italy should ally with France and together determine the fate of the continent, but with the frequent bellicose speeches of the French dictator he had very little to gain by trying to maintain the bridges he'd been privately building.

As the year closed and the ordering of the next 4 ships ( 2 Ninos, 1 da Vinci, & 1 Varese ) approached, it was realized that so cautious was the program that there were actually sufficient funds accumulating that it was feared the bureaucrats could seize some of it or reduce the budget.  This, coupled with the obvious complete uselessness of the da Vinci CVL rebuilds to South East Asia, lead The Abruzzi to unexpectedly ring the design office and ask for a fast light carrier of nearly exactly the same attributes as the Grottesco Abbassalingua designs debated furiously last summer.  Fortunately for all involved the design was different, a compromise between the unarmored high-speed original and the significantly armored reconstructions currently under way.  In December 2 Falcos were ordered just before the 4 previously planned ships.

1926 was one of slowly mounting tension with France, desperate as they were to restore their economy and national prestige.  Through the year another 4 light cruisers, a Heavy Armored Cruiser and Light Carrier pair, and a privately proposed 3rd Falco were laid down.  As winter approached a well placed agent in France advised that she was preparing for war against Italy.  As alarming, and after due consideration unsurprising as this news was, there was little way to be seen to further enlarge the fleet.

In January of 27 Spain sent its ambassador to inform the King that they would be withdrawing from their alliance with Italy without further delay.  This decision, whether driven by fear or some piece of intelligence which had alarmed them, confirmed to The Abruzzi that action should soon surely follow.  The 2nd Battle Division was ordered in for an emergency refit, getting new gun directors much the same as the 1st Division had received at the beginning of 1925.  In February the German ambassador asked for an audience with the King, seeking assurance that their ally would back them should things develop for the worst with France.  Having received such assurance, the very next day he returned asking for a suggestion as to what type of demands made by Germany Italy would be willing to back.  King and Cabinet advised them to take a hard line.  March simmered, with all parties in the Mediterranean coming to readiness.  At the end of April France launched an attack all along the German frontier, and Italy advised they would honor their alliance, declaring war upon France in response.  But before the ink had even dried on hostilities, an American liner was sunk in the North Sea, and France boasted of it proudly.

War once again lay before the Regia Marina.

A modest French squadron lay at St, Jaques in South East Asia - 1 BB & 2 CLs with destroyers - which would need to be countered, however the bulk of the French Fleet immediately sought to close mercantile access to Italy;  11 BBs, 10 BCs & the world's first attempt at a carrier.

Battle would surely be soon joined, and The Abruzzi informed his commanders to exercise their powers to the utmost.

At the end of the month of assault the 2nd Battle Division were hastily rushed out of their docks and to sea.

[zederfflinger]

It's showtime! I hope all goes well, or at least as well as things can go in a war.

[garrisonchisholm]

May 20, 2022 23:49:03 GMT -6 zederfflinger said:

It's showtime! I hope all goes well, or at least as well as things can go in a war.

I will paraphrase.

"It's a miracle."
"If it's a miracle, Ensign, it's a high-speed gyroscopically-stabilized 21-inch miracle."
"And a bayonet, sir, with some guts behind it."

(the war write-up will take a while, after I decide on perspective as well)

[garrisonchisholm]

Summary Draft Loss Report

April 1927 - May 1931

Regia Marina combat losses during the Franco-German War, dubbed the 2nd Franco-German War by French leadership, could nearly be described as extreme.  While the navy suffered only  2 Battleships 12 Cruisers and 10 Light Cruisers lost in 3 wars since the Unification, the list below surpasses the previously lost tonnage by a factor of 4.

BB

Liguria                                                                                    7/5/1927

Elba, Toscana, Sicilia                                                             8/25/1927

Regina Elena                                                                          5/3/1928

Lepanto, Claudio Tiberio, San Giorgio                                  9/14/1930

CA

Etruria                                                                                    1/7/1929

Carlo Alberto, Bolzano                                                          9/14/1930

CVL

Attilio Regolo                                                                        12/25/1929

CL

6 Ninos

The losses of 14 September 1930 will not be assessed tactically.  There are strategic and intelligence lessons to be learned, but having been successfully baited by the schedule for the French convoy the unexpected night encounter with the entire French fleet at 500 yards was a pure no-win .  No ship present was designed to, nor could they be, resist heavy naval guns at such ranges.  The Navy rightly lauds the sailors who participated for giving their all, these 5 ships in their last action being almost wholly responsible for lifting the blockade for 3 full months.

Likewise the losses of August 25th will not be treated here, as the results and conduct of that battle were so critical for the Navy's execution of the entire remaining 44 months of the war that it shall receive its own treatment in depth.  This leaves us with 4 major fleet losses to assess; the Regina Elena and Liguria, the Etruria, and Attilio Regolo.

The loss of the Liguria was both a surprise to all and terrible luck.  Steaming away from a potential Fleet Action deemed unreasonably close to the French coast, and with indigenously provided fighter cover, a lone airstrike came in from the sole French carrier Joffre. With its Top Cover over the 4th Division - the closest to the presumed location of the enemy, the attack came in from the East, and torpedoes were put into 4 ships.  San Giorgio's protection absorbed her strike capably and normal measures were able to fully contain the flooding while she maintained the fleet speed of 12 knots.  Liguria however was struck between the screws as she turned away causing catastrophic damage and flooding.  An unwise attempt to maintain cruising speed on the two outboard shafts resulted in the ruptured bulkhead which doomed her, though to be fair to her captain it did appear that matters might have been in hand, if not well in hand.

In comparison the loss of Regina Elena deserves a hard look.  The hand-picked replacement commander of Battle Division 3, Contrammiraglio Dell Anno, elected to take his two available ships to sea to support the 2nd Battle Division as it sought a rumored French coastal raid, and as no escorts were available he went to sea with none.  Somehow either not receiving or heeding 2nd Division notifications regarding its southward withdrawal while it attempted airstrikes, 3rd Battle Division proceeded to meander about near the La Spezia coast until the 5 battle cruisers of the French raiding force found them.  Firing occurred between 18,800 yards and 12,000, Elena suffering 35 12" to 16" hits and an aerial torpedo over 2 3/4 hours before her severe port list caused her to heel fatally 400 yards from shore.  Captain Parenti's duty & service to seeing his men to safety is largely responsible for over half the crew being saved, and as well Claudio Druso bravely intervening physically to draw fire.  Claudio Druso entered port on fire and minus her brave captain, killed when the conning tower was struck.  Contrammiraglio Dell Anno was promoted, and promoted again to Fleet Admiral at his retirement 15 months later.  As the war still had 14 months to go at that point, it is understood that as the truth of matters that day began to come to light The Abruzzi had arranged to hasten his departure from the service as conveniently as possible.  Parenti remains Captain Emeritus of the Regia Elena, presiding over the survivor's guild.

As regards ship construction this unfortunate action can inform us somewhat of the abilities of the protection installed in the Elena class, our most modern capital ships.  Below are detailed the faithfully recorded hits from Elena's log, until the order was given to abandon ship.

Belt (9.1/2 "); 4 15" hits, all penetrating

Deck (3"); 3 15" hits, 1 penetrating

Turrets (14.1/2"); 9 15" hits, 2 penetrating. 2 16" hits, none penetrating. 2 12" hits, none penetrating

Marginally protected Areas; 14 15" hits, 1 16" hit.  All hits penetrated or caused damage

If one considers 12,000 -19,000 yards a reasonable range to plan a battleship's protection against it is clear that the belt of the Elena was insufficient for 15" or larger ordnance, and given this type of gun was known to be in service and available at the time of construction this could then be termed an error of design.  Future capital ship designers must be advised to keep belt protection in mind.  The damage done to Claudio also mirrors this need.

Attilio Regolo was lost in a similarly unlucky fashion to Liguria, as a lone enemy squadron making a level bombing run managed 1 hit, unfortunately amongst newly fueled and warmed up CAP aircraft.  There are many lessons to draw here as a single hit should not have doomed the ship.  CAP should be amplified if incoming airstrikes are reasonably to be expected, and fueling apparatus should be more securely stowed and protected.

Finally, the cruiser Etruria suffered a single torpedo hit while closing on a convoy north-east of Singapore, and while inflicting severe damage would founder before she returned to port.  Here the causes are clear, as the ship was over 20 years old with no TPS and should not have been in service, being long over due for a refit as well.  The Navy should not allow convenience to be a factor in maintaining its ships which are on foreign station, and should pay more attention to balancing the fleet's composition.

In conclusion of Part 1, when considering the material need for future construction protection must be augmented.  When the Regina Elena's were designed the mistake was made to look backward rather than forward.  Decisions in coming months by circumstance must look forward.

(fin Part 1)

[garrisonchisholm]

Wartime Fleet Additions

1927-1931

In February 1928 it became clear that the persistent mine successes scored by France were not a fluke and were not being arrested by the existing trade protection forces, as in the first 10 months of the war 11 destroyers and submarines were lost to mines and 6 destroyers torpedoed while in the course of their screening duties.  The Principessa Giovannas were designed to be the swiftest to build and most economical patrol craft possible while retaining pinnacle ASW abilities.  The 24 boats ordered were delivered in under a year, and 2 were lost to submarine duels.

While the first corvettes were being built it was realized that the mine menace would still persist until they were addressed, so a hasty class of 6  500 ton minesweepers were converted from medium trawlers.  They were returned to their original owners upon the cessation of hostilities.

And as the minesweepers were being converted the numbers of destroyers available for fleet screening duties was trending towards less than optimal, so a new class of destroyers was drawn up and laid down, however none of the 12 ships would see action before the end of the war.

At the end of 1930 the Italian carrier force included the 3 remaining pre-dreadnought conversions for battle-line air defense and 5 Falco CVLs, each carrying two squadrons of torpedo bombers.  With the da Vincis only able to operate fighters the Falcos needed to focus on attack, one of the early lessons taught by the war.  However it became clear that relying upon different classes of ship to each provide 1-dimensional aspects of an overall battle plan was a terribly unreliable approach.  Solving some problems of large-volume fuel stores and keel balance finally allowed the prospect of a large carrier.  In January the Aquila design study was drafted, although it could not be laid down before the armistice was signed.

[garrisonchisholm]

Summary Draft Loss Report, pt.II
8/25/27
The First Battle of Derna

Preliminary

The Navy began its 2nd war with France with significant concern and thought towards how best to employ airpower. Amongst the previously implied lessons that the war taught however was that much more concern and thought needed to be employed towards defending against airpower. Over the course of the war 12 submarines were lost to French air patrols, nearly 14% of the 88 submarines lost in action and 28% of the 43 submarines built during the war. A single airstrike cost the navy its first battleship loss (Liguria), and given no refits had yet been due for that most modern Marina battleship the airstrike in question was defended against by only small arms. The Z.89s the Navy started the war with had a strike range of only 45nm and proved utterly unable to exercise authority over aerodrome sea-lanes; this was no more apparent as when the French launched the surprise invasion of Sardinia in the war's second month, where due to storm and darkness the air forces were incapable of utilizing their minimal available window to intervene.

The aircraft deficiencies were in fairness noted and new models ordered throughout '26 and early '27, and also the emergency Z.115 Scout-bomber in early '28, but let there be no doubt that after 4 months of conflict a distinct air of impotence was stealing over the fleet. It would be many months before the new aircraft or the strike-capable Falco-class carriers could affect the war.




Situation

Given the prior month's loss of Liguria and the 1st Battle Division's dispatch to Singapore only 11 battleships were on hand to respond to hints of a bold French thrust to the Eastern Med. 2nd Battle Division commander Contrammiraglia Galleani would take the Fleet to Benghazi and act as commander. When word came from reconnaissance flights out of Tunisia that the force seemed to be another invasion Galleani took his ships to sea. His plan was to lurk south of the projected French line of approach and hopefully allow Benghazi's attack squadron a chance to strike the enemy before he approached to engage an element of the French force, which was known in total to outnumber his by about 2-1.

Shortly after completing their turn southwards an unidentified cruiser was spotted to the north-east, so reasoning the enemy was closer than he might have ever thought they could be he signaled a reverse to his turn so-as to take his fleet across the wind and the French advance.

(The Italian Fleet getting into line)

Battle

The Italian fleet came to order with the 4th Division following the 2nd, and the 3rd bringing up the rear due to some difficulties in leaving port in timely fashion. The oncoming opponents were the French Scouting Force, composed of 6 battlecruisers and a fast battleship. With the fleet arrayed in line and the French coming on at speed the situation could hardly have been scripted better, and firing commenced at about 20,000 yards.

The French ships closed quite aggressively until a turn-away to the west spurred by Galleani's Sally signal to the destroyer squadrons, but landing some hard blows as they turned. Battle Division 2 was battered from the ordeal but carried on, for as the French Scouting Force disappeared to the west their Main Force appeared on their original bearing, hoving to at good speed, making to turn Galleani's northern flank. With a maximum fleet speed due to some ship's worn engines and hulls of 18 knots Galleani could only turn eastward to open his guns. At this point at less than 14,000 yards Leponto's rudder was hit and she turned out of line. Claudio Tibero was signaled to lead on, however nearly simultaneously all ships in the 2nd began to suffer from 15” and 16” hammer blows and the entire division seemed to be almost drawing over a sand-bar, slowing so significantly that the 4th Battle Division began to pass them to the lee.

With great difficulties in bringing his own division into order Galleani signaled again, advising C.A.Bigi of the 4th Division to lead the battle. The 4th took the lead, sending its destroyers scurrying again to the attack to open some space and foil the French flanking attempt. The French Main Force indeed turned away, a great milling northward turn together onto a generally south-west heading. The 4th however, instead of turning north to exploit their foes' discomfiture seemed to be overwhelmed by shell splashes, for the 3rd Division had not followed, instead turning away towards the coast, leaving the 4th alone and the 2nd unprotected, every ship burning.

As the hoists were zipping up Gallaeni's furious counter-directive, Elba, leading the 4th Division, split “asunder”, a described pencil thin sickly yellow glow reaching out of the cacophony. Witnesses said debris rained down for an eternity. The Captain of the Toscana turned hard about and south to regain contact with the fleet as the French shells continued to fall.

The fleet however had lost cohesion. 2nd Division's Benedetto Brin still steamed hopefully, but her orders had her trailing the 3rd division, which though now steaming northwards still was hardly near enough to the line to even be considered supporting. It was at this point that command coordination officially disintegrated. The 3 remaining ships of the 4th Division were being shattered by the focused fire of the 11 battleships of the French Main Force, the 3rd Division was parading about at extreme range firing ineffectually, and the 2nd Division now limped for port each to his own, under harrying fire from the French battlecruisers and desperately screened by their available cruisers and destroyers. The foundering 2nd Division however had been schooled for such straits by exactly the right man.



Despite suffering 66 heavy hits, no ships of the 2nd Division would be lost.

The 4th Division was not so fortunate, with Toscana and Sicilia slowly following Elba to her grave, only Piemonte surviving and steering to return to port flying the Leader pennant. Nightfall and scattering both saved the remaining 5 combatants from being lost themselves. The only shred of silver in the day's lining was plainly that so calamitous had been the engagement that the invasion was called off, in large part due to the heavy ships then having insufficient ammunition available to support an opposed landing.

Conclusions

In this action multiple weaknesses were identified. Fleet speed was insufficient to deny initiative to the enemy. Belts were penetrated commonly but decks and turrets uncommonly. Despite having an airfield nearby only airships were able to reach the battlefield. Commanders who drill damage control techniques are vital.  Timely mobilization is Critical, as crew competency could not but have had a massive influence on the initial engagement, where with 'T' crossed in front of the whole battle line the French Scouting Force engaged and withdrew none-the-worse for wear.

Foremost amongst the day's conclusions however is that the the commander of the 3rd Battle Division did not conduct himself as a Marina naval officer; ignoring signals, taking unwise personal initiative, and failing to respond to a brother-in-arm's obvious dire need.