Straights of Sicily - June 1940
Setup: Whilst the French army crumbles against the German onslaught, the Marine Nationale doggedly conducts operations in the Mediterranean. In this scenario they are escorting a convoy from Algiers to Aleppo Day 1 Morning: Liore et Olivier heavy bombers escorted by Dewoitine fighters take off from Bizerte and sally out across the straights to soften up the Regia Aeronautica at Palermo. They are met by an overwhelming swarm of Italian fighters and three fifths of the sortie are shot down, achieving only superficial damage to the airfield and destroying a handful of aircraft on the ground. Meanwhile the Regia Marina take up positions to the north and east of Sicily. Day 1 Afternoon: The Italian fleet spreads out to the south and west. French submarines spot the light cruiser Scipione Africano accompanied by a destroyer scouting just east of Bizerte. After its bloodying the Armee de l'air remains grounded, husbanding its surviving aircraft to remain a threat and deter th...