Zara-Class Cruiser

Italy’s Zara class comprised four interwar heavy cruisers emphasizing stronger protection than many earlier treaty-era cruiser designs. Their 203 mm gun batteries and substantial armor made them important units of the Regia Marina. Zara, Fiume, and Pola were lost during the Battle of Cape Matapan in March 1941, while Gorizia followed a different wartime career. The class’s history illustrates both the ambitions of Italian surface-fleet construction and the consequences of night action, radar, surprise, and fleet coordination in Mediterranean warfare. The absence of torpedo armament in the original design reflected priorities different from some other Italian cruisers. Protection and gunnery were emphasized within an increasingly constrained displacement and budget balance.

Finish and color

Supplied unpainted and printed in the selected color. Choose from the available product color options.

Tabletop use

Suitable for period-appropriate custom scenarios in the Global War series of games by Historical Board Gaming and compatible Axis & Allies games. Use suitable scenario or house rules for unit statistics and any technology upgrades. This piece does not supply additional game rules.

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