The Battle of Cape Spartivento, known as the Battle of Cape Teulada in Italy, was a naval battle during the Battle of the Mediterranean in the Second World War, fought between naval forces of the Royal Navy and the Italian Regia Marina on 27 November 1940.
Top: Italian heavy cruiser Bolzano during the battle. Bottom: British aircraft carrier Ark Royal straddled by enemy bombs
Image: RN Bolzano Teulada
Giulio Cesare was one of three Conte di Cavour-class dreadnought battleships built for the Royal Italian Navy in the 1910s. Completed in 1914, she was little used and saw no combat during the First World War. The ship supported operations during the Corfu Incident in 1923 and spent much of the rest of the decade in reserve. She was rebuilt between 1933 and 1937 with more powerful guns, additional armor and considerably more speed than before.
Giulio Cesare after reconstruction
Office of Naval Intelligence drawing of the Conte di Cavour class, January 1943
Launch of Giulio Cesare, 15 October 1911.
Giulio Cesare shortly after completion, 1914