In this role, Sansonetti took part in the Battle of Cape Spartivento, the Battle of Taranto and the Battle of Cape Matapan, as well as in some escort missions to Libya and in the contrast against Operation White, Operation Excess and Operation Grog. In this period, he was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor, the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Savoy, a German Cross in Gold and a Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle.