Borghese also pondered on the status of the war in general: Could the Italians sustain a prolonged war either at sea or on land? And, with the change of command back to his submarine, was he slated for bigger and better things? Could surprise attacks win any war regardless of the selflessness, diligence, and heroism of the men?

Regardless of the potential answers to those questions, in the end, he concentrated on the training of his men, the reliance of his equipment and the practical attainability of his missions despite the fact that the war was not going well for his country!