The British were unaware that Italian reconnaissance aircraft had spotted the sailings from both ends of the Mediterranean and set up submarine ambushes , and that two Italian battleships , three cruisers and two destroyer flotillas had left harbour , more cruisers , destroyers and torpedo boats following .
The British were unaware that Italian reconnaissance aircraft had spotted the sailings from both ends of the Mediterranean and set up submarine ambushes . 
 Two Italian battleships , three cruisers and two destroyer flotillas had left harbour , more cruisers , destroyers and torpedo boats following .