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by Angus Konstam.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 96 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: The Desperate Battle to Relieve Malta
A British Malta-bound convoy from Alexandria (Egypt) ran into the intercepting Italian Navy and the German Luftwaffe in March 1942. The convoy had only four fast merchant ships (although one had engine trouble that slowed it) plus an escort of cruisers and destroyers. The Italians intercepted with cruisers and destroyers, and later, the battleship Littorio and a variety of Italian and German aircraft.
The booklet covers the usual commanders and ships, plans, and background campaign info on First Sirte, the strike on Taranto, and the situation in March 1942. It all leads up to a dramatic recap of the naval battle with the Italians getting the better of the Royal Navy, but not enough to stop the convoy. The Italian ships all turned away as evening fell, in part because of orders from above not to risk the ships and in part because the British ships had radar and the Italian ships did not — a disadvantage in a night fight. Indeed, a storm did more damage to the Italian Navy than gunfire from the Royal Navy.
The air attacks did away with one merchant ship and continued even after the three remaining British merchant ships entered the harbor at Malta. Most of the supplies were lost from the bombing.
Interesting that a 12 to 13-knot merchant ship makes about 300 miles per day (p26), for those interested in strategic movement.
The booklet contains 59 black and white photos, one color illustration, one black and white illustration, four color maps, three color two-page action illustrations, and three color battle plot illustrations.
This is a perfect naval WWII Mediterranean Sea scenario for the tabletop, although rules need to duplicate smoke screens. How to duplicate Italian surprise at British destroyers steaming out of the smokescreen to launch torpedoes may be up to the players. Still, a tidy little battle, here.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
