LITMIR.BIZ

      Contents

       Foreword HRH Prince Philip, Lord High Admiral

       Introduction Dr J. E. Harrold

       Abbreviations

       General Situation, March 1941

       The Naval Situation, March 1941

       The Commander-in-Chief’s Plans

       The Italian Fleet

       Enemy Forces at Sea

       British Fleet Movements

       Commencement of Action

       The C.-in-C.’s Movements, 28 March

       HMS Formidable’s First Striking Force Takes Off

       Action with the Italian Battleship

       The First Attack on the Vittorio Veneto

       Attack by Maleme Striking Force on the 3rd Division

       Movements of the British Battle Fleet (Force A)

       The Formidable’s Second Striking Force Awaits Orders

       Position at 1330

       R A F Bombers from Greece

       The Pursuit 1330 - 1810

       The Situation at 1915, 28 March

       Third Torpedo Attack on the Vittorio Veneto

       Movements of the British Battle Fleet

       VALF and the Cruisers of Force B

       Destroyer Striking Force

       British Fleet Night Action

       The Destroyers with HMAS Stuart

       The Sinking of the Zara and Pola

       Proceedings of Battle Fleet

       Force D and Greek Destroyers

       Italian Fleet

       Events after 1500 on 28 March

       The Return to Alexandria

       The Commander-in-Chief’s Comments

       A Few Reflections

       Appendix A

       Appendix B

       Appendix C

       Appendix D

       Appendix E

       Appendix F

       Appendix G

       Appendix H

       Appendix I

       Appendix J

       Appendix K

       Endnotes

       HRH Prince Philip

       Dr J. E. Harrold

       Britannia Naval Histories of World War II

       Bismarck: The Chase and Sinking of Hitler’s Goliath

       Fight for the Fjord: The Battle for Norway 1940

       Hitler’s Ghost Ships: Graf Spee, Scharnhorst and Disguised German Raiders

       Between Hostile Shores: Mediterranean Convoys 1941-1942

       Turning the Tide: The Battles of Coral Sea and Midway

       Hunting Tirpitz: Naval Operations Against Bismarck’s Sister Ship

      This ebook edition first published in the United Kingdom in 2012 by University of Plymouth Press, Portland Square, B322, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.

      Paperback ISBN 978-1-84102 -304-5

      Hardback ISBN 978-1-84102-303-8

      eBook ISBN 978-1-84102-379-3

      © University of Plymouth Press 2014

      The rights of this work have been asserted in accordance with the Crown Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

      A CIP catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library.

      Publisher: Paul Honeywill

      Series Editors: G. H. Bennett, J. E. Harrold, M. J. Pearce and R. Porter

      Commissioning Editor: Charlotte Carey

      Publishing Assistant: Maxine Aylett

      All rights reserved. Any person who carries out any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

      Historical content courtesy of Britannia Museum, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, TQ6 0HJ.

      Cover image © Edward Stables 2012

      Distributed by NBN International, UK

      The historical documents reproduced here appear as unedited text, apart from minor changes made to date formats and corrections to typing errors found in the original.

      Britannia Royal Naval College

      A majestic landmark, which towers above the harbour town of Dartmouth in Devon, Britannia Royal Naval College was designed by royal architect Sir Aston Webb to project an image of British sea power. A fine example of Edwardian architecture, the College has prepared future generations of officers for the challenges of service and leadership since 1905.

      The Britannia Museum opened in 1999 to safeguard the College’s rich collection of historic artefacts, art and archives and promote greater public understanding of Britain’s naval and maritime heritage, as a key element in the development of British history and culture. It also aims to instil a sense of identity and ethos in the Officer Cadets that pass through the same walls as their forbears, from great admirals to national heroes, to royalty.