As the war in North Africa escalated, Axis military efforts became increasingly dependent on supply lines across the Mediterranean. To try to sever these lines of supply, the British deployed submarines from the besieged island of Malta with the directive to sink as much merchant convoy tonnage as possible. Italy responded by sending her torpedo boats to protect and escort Axis convoys.

Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork and carefully chosen archive photographs, this engaging study assesses the evolving battle between Britain's submarines and Italy's torpedo boats in the struggle for primacy in the Mediterranean at the height of World War II.

David Greentree received an M.A. in war studies from King's College, London, and qualified as a lecturer. In 1995 he accepted a commission in the Royal Air Force and has served in Afghanistan and Oman.

Ian Palmer, a digital artist, is an art director for a leading UK games developer and has illustrated books for Osprey for over a decade.

Peter Dennis has contributed to hundreds of books, including many Osprey titles. A keen war gamer and model maker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.