5. Italian Navy. The Italian fleet, is considered to be an efficient force and the best prepared of the three fighting services and, since personnel for Coast Defences have recently been greatly increased it is assumed that its bases have been put in a state of defence. The First Squadron is at Taranto which is both its normal peace time and its war base. The Second Squadron normally based on Spezia is at present in Southern Sardinia and Sicily, ostensibly for the purpose of carrying out exercises, due to begin on 14th April.