<prompt> Bhala okuqhubekayo kwalesi sigaba - Ngo-December 1940, amabutho oMbuso WaseBrithani aqala ukuhlasela amabutho ase-Italy eGibhithe nase-Italy East Africa. Lokhu kuhlasela kwaba yimpumelelo enkulu; ekuqaleni kukaFebhuwari 1941, i-Italy yayisilahlekelwe ukulawula empumalanga yeLibya, futhi inani elikhulu lamasosha ase-Italy lalithunjiwe. I-Italian Navy nayo yabhekana nokwehlulwa okukhulu, iRoyal Navy yafaka imikhumbi yempi emithathu yase-Italy ngaphandle kokuthunyelwa ngokuhlaselwa komthwali eTaranto  <response>: , nokungasebenzi kweminye imikhumbi yempi eminingana eMpini yaseCape Matapan. 