BLUE WATER WAR: Maritime Struggle in the Mediterranean and Middle East, 1940-1945

Tells the story of the struggle between Italian forces against the British and French for control over the Mediterranean. Chronicles the prolonged and colossal conflict waged at differing times against the combined forces of Italy, Germany, and Vichy France over a wide area stretching from the coastal waters of Southern Europe in the north to Madagascar in the south and Africa's Atlantic coast in the west to the Persian Gulf in the east. Utilizing a variety of weapons including surface warships, submarines, and aircraft along with sizable merchant fleets, the British and their subsequent American partners maintained vital seaborne lines of communication, conducted numerous amphibious landings, interdicted Axis supply activities and eventually eliminated all semblances of Axis maritime power within the theater. Contains 32 illustrations.