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.

Packed with illustrations and technical detail, this is a rare insight into the design, capabilities and war record of Italy's World War II cruisers. It is a must-have for naval enthusiasts, wargamers, modellers, and all those interested in World War II at sea.

About the Author
Mark E. Stille (Commander, United States Navy, retired) received his BA in History from the University of Maryland and also holds an MA from the Naval War College. He has worked in the intelligence community for 35 years including tours on the faculty of the Naval War College, on the Joint Staff and on US Navy ships. He is currently a senior analyst working in the Washington DC area. He is the author of numerous Osprey titles, focusing on naval history in the Pacific.


Book Information
ISBN 9781472825353
Author Mark Stille
Format Paperback
Page Count 48
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 194g