Necro post.
Just decided to play the latest HPP patch, with some modding to give major powers some more leadership (germany with 10 leadership is just plain stupid....).
Anyways, I decided to go with a naval oriented Italy. My plan was to get 3 BB fleets, plus one 2 Fleet Carrier fleet. Things didn't quite work out though.
I didn't need the fleet carriers. By the time I had them fully active and able to engage enemy ships, my BB's had sunk 5 British BB's for a loss of one (I started the war with 7). I took the Suez, and made landings in Cyprus and Malta without any opposition from the Royal Navy. By the time my Fleet Carriers were active, the Royal Navy had been completely driven from the Med, and I was landing in Gibralter |:
All told, quite a victory.