After escorting to Libya the convoy that triggered the Battle of Calabria, Casardi became a protagonist, in July 1940, of the Battle of Cape Spada, in which "Colleoni" was sunk. Following the loss of "Colleoni", the 2nd Naval Division was dissolved; in August 1940 Casardi was placed in command of the 7th Naval Division, with flag on the light cruiser "Eugenio Savoia" and later on "Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta". For a year, as the commander of the 7th Division, Casardi participated in convoy escort, bombardment and minelaying missions; he was awarded the Silver Medal of Military Valor, the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Savoy and Cross of the Order of the German Eagle, second class.