This illustrated history explores the cruiser forces of the Italian and British navies, ships busy in the Naval War of the Mediterranean.

In 1940, when Italy entered World War II, the Royal Navy was overstretched, and the Mediterranean fleet found itself facing both the Italian navy and the German and Italian air forces in a struggle for supremacy. Despite skirmishes between British and Italian naval forces, they often remained on reserve, wary of a potential enemy breakout. Thus, the cruisers waged their war in the Mediterranean, undertaking a range of missions from convoy protection and pursuing enemy ships to battling for control of critical points such as the waters around Malta and Crete.

This highly illustrated study, written by renowned naval expert Angus Konstam, compares and contrasts the design, weapon technologies, and battle performance of the rival cruiser forces. It also documents several major clashes between British, Commonwealth, and Italian cruisers, including intense actions that occurred near Cape Spada in 1940, a series of engagements in the Gulf of Sirte during 1941, battles against Axis convoys in 1941-42, and the Battle of Pantelleria in 1942. Among the subjects of specially commissioned color artworks are HMAS Sydney, HMS Naiad, RM Trento, and RM Raimondo Montecuccoli.

Pages: 80, Year of Publication: 2023, Dimensions: 18.4x18.4cm.