[copeab]

A coupke things I add from some additional reading:

1) One of my books claims that in the winter of 1940-41, Italy was operating more submarines in the Atlantic than Germany. Considering that in September 1939, Italy had 107 submarines* and the Germans only 65, this seems a likely assertion.

2) The same book also blames most of the lack of success of Italian subs to the overcautious nature of their commanders, who apparently were much less willing to risk their boats than U-boat skippers.

* Only Russia, with around 150, had more