Battle of Cape Spartivento

tj · tj

Operation Collar / Battle of Cape Spartivento
27 Nov 1940

Historical context: After the losses as a result of Operation White, Operation Collar was launched later that month in attempt to supply Malta again. The convoy set sail with more warships in escort to prevent Italian interference.

An Italian fleet centered around battleship Vittorio Veneto set sail to intercept, as expected. The British detected the Italian movement, and the warships intercepted before the Italians closed in on the convoy. At 1145 on 27 Nov 1940, the two opposing forces spotted each other with Force B leading Force D and the carrier Ark Royal in the rear waiting to launch Swordfish torpedo bombers.

Italian
Battleship Division
Vittorio Vento
Guile Caesar
7th and 13th Destroyer Squadron (Various classes x 7)

3rd Cruiser Division
Bolzano x 3 (Bolzano, Trieste and Trento)
9th Destroyer Squadron (Various classes x 4)

1st Cruiser Division
Zara x3 (Pola, Gorizia and Fiume)
12th Destroyer Squadron (Various classes x 3)

British
Force B
Repulse (Renown)
Ark Royal (Swordfish x2 and Sea Hurricane)*
Jamaica x3 (Southampton, Sheffield and Manchester)
Destroyers x 10 (Various classes)

Force D
Tennessee (Ramillies)
Jamaica (Newcastle)
Kent (Berwick)
Destroyers x 5 (Various classes)

Points per side are around 285
The 1st and 3rd Italian Cruiser Divisions along with the British Force B start normally
On the 3rd turn the Italian Battleship Division and British Force D arrive in their perspective starting rows
* Ark royal doesn’t arrive until turn 5

Normal victory conditions apply but for added historical feel, if ether Italian BB are lost their worth double victory points as the Italian commander was under strict instructions not to jeopardize them and the game should be limited to 10 turns. I wrote this scenario for Victory at Sea rules but found it transferred nicely to War at Sea. Limited turns is because of the Italians reluctance to engage in an even fight. 3rd turn reinforcements is based on historical deployment and available starting sectors on the map and Ark Royal is deployed off map in my Victory At Sea scenario and only her aircraft are used.

Historical Out come: At 1207, to the surprise of the British, the Italian ships suddenly turned about. Unknown to the British, the Italians were ordered to avoid confrontation unless victory would be certain, which led to an apparent withdraw even though the two forces were about even in strength. The Italian order to disengage was given too late, however. The British cruisers were already committed to a chase, and by 1222 the two forces were only 23,500m from each other and began to exchange fire. British cruiser Berwick was hit by two 8” shells, and an Italian destroyer was seriously damaged by a shell from cruiser Manchester. By about 1226, the older British battleship Ramillies could not keep up with the formation, falling outside of firing range, and the Italian ships gained an advantage in the number of guns in the battle. At 1230, Vice Admiral Angelo Iachino gave the order to increase speed to 30 knots, confirming the Italian intention to disengage.

Carrier Ark Royal never got a chance to launch her aircraft by the time the Italians broke from combat.

This minor naval engagement was later labeled the Battle of Cape Spartivento. It was also known as the Battle of Cape Teulada in Italy.

jfkziegler · **jfkziegler**

Well written scenario! Thanks for posting it!
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