The Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marina) operated one of largest cruiser forces of World War II. As a signatory to the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty, the Regia Marina immediately attempted to reinforce its treaty-limited battleship force by building seven large 10,000-ton heavy cruisers. Italian light cruisers also possessed an interesting design history and were involved in every major fleet engagement in the Mediterranean, as well as several smaller encounters with units of the British Royal Navy.

Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this fascinating volume examines the history of the Regia Marina's cruisers during World War II where they came up against the might of the British Royal Navy.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Italian naval strategy and the role of the cruiser
• Italian cruiser design and development and impact of the Washington and London Naval Treaties
• Italian Cruisers at War
• The Cruiser Classes
• Analysis and Conclusion
• Further Reading
• Index