British/Commonwealth Cruiser vs Italian Cruiser: The Mediterranean 1940-43

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title British/Commonwealth Cruiser vs Italian Cruiser: The Mediterranean 1940-43
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Angus Konstam
Illustrated by Ian Palmer
SeriesDuel
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:80
Dimensions(mm): Height 248,Width 184
Category/GenreSecond world war
ISBN/Barcode 9781472849687
ClassificationsDewey:940.545941
Audience
General
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations Colour illustrations throughout, including profiles, technical drawings, battlescene artworks, maps and photographs.

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publication Date 15 September 2022
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This illustrated history explores the cruiser forces of the Italian and British Royal navies, the jack-of-all trades warships of the Mediterranean Naval War. In 1940, when Italy entered World War II, the Royal Navy was badly overstretched, and its Mediterranean Fleet had to face both the Italian Navy and the German and Italian Air Forces in a battle for supremacy. Although the British and Italian battle fleets squared off against each other, they were both often held in reserve, in case the enemy fleet put to sea. So, it was left to the cruisers to wage their own naval war in the Mediterranean. This involved a range of missions, from escorting convoys and hunting enemy ones, to fighting for control of the sea around key locations such as the waters off Malta and Crete. This superbly illustrated study, written by renowned naval expert Angus Konstam, compares and contrasts the design, weapon technologies and combat performance of the opposing cruiser forces. It also documents several major clashes between British, Commonwealth and Italian cruisers, including spirited actions fought off Cape Spada in 1940, a string of actions in the Gulf of Sirte throughout 1941, battles against Axis convoys in 1941-42, and the Battle of Pantelleria in 1942. Among the subjects of the specially commissioned colour artworks are HMAS Sydney, HMS Naiad, RM Trento and RM Raimondo Montecuccoli.

Author Biography

Angus Konstam hails from the Orkney Islands, and is the author of over 100 history books, 60 of which are published by Osprey. This acclaimed author has written widely on naval history, from Sovereigns of the Seas and Piracy: The Complete History to his most recent bestseller, Mutiny on the Spanish Main. A former naval officer and museum professional, he worked as the Curator in both the Royal Armouries, Tower of London and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida. He now works as a full-time author and historian, and lives in Orkney, Scotland.