Force Z

Force Z was a British Royal Navy task force during World War II, primarily composed of battleships and accompanied by aircraft carriers. Its purpose was to protect convoys crossing the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and to counter the German and Italian navy. The force aimed to deter enemy surface attacks and provide naval support, but it was considered outdated because it relied on large battleships at a time when air power and submarines were more dominant. In 1941, during the Battle of the Gulf of Taranto, Force Z was mistakenly targeted and sunk by Japanese aircraft, highlighting the changing nature of naval warfare.