Aircraft Carriers


The history of the Italian aircraft carriers is one of delayed decisions and postponed opportunities, confrontations, more or less transparent, between the Marina and the Aeronautica, and project after project, none of which was ever realized until the introduction of the Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1985.

World War I and the Birth of the Regia Aeronautica

The first Italian vessel classifiable in any possible way as an aircraft carrier had already entered service during World War I. This was the hydroplane tender Europa, which was the result of the conversion of the merchant ship Quarto, acquired from a German ship owner in 1915, and designed to provide a greater range for reconnaissance and a higher speed than naval units. The alterations to this ship consisted of two hangers built on the bow and stern capable of hosting 8 seaplanes. The ship was not equipped with any machinery capable of launching the planes, which therefore had to be lowered into the water before they could take off. The official classification for this ship was “hydroplanes and submarines support ship”.

The experience of World War I, however, did not convince the higher ranks of the Regia Marina of the usefulness and convenience of inserting one or more aircraft carriers in the order of battle. Several factors influenced this situation, which would drag on until World War II:

The Italian war experience, from a naval viewpoint, was substantially limited to the Adriatic Sea with its short distances, which did not create the need for naval units such as the aircraft carrier.
The institution, in 1922, of the Regia Aeronautica as an independent armed force under the auspices of the fascist Regime, which surely did not assist in any way the process, especially after a rivalry between the two branches became, over time, quite fierce. The Regime’s support for the Aeronautica influenced the process quite heavily, thus eliminating much needed deep and productive collaboration.
The substantial opposition, manifested by the Regime, against the construction of aircraft carriers, despite the many studies and projects (as we will later see), due to the support clearly shown for the Aeronautica, the most “fascist” of all armed forces, to the detriment of the Regia Marina. Also, another consideration was the geographical conformation of Italy, which, it was said, was a natural aircraft carrier stretched out into the Mediterranean thus making the construction of carriers useless.
This last point deserves some further clarification because, under certain conditions, it could have been accepted. The geographical position of the Italian peninsula is effectively very centrally located within the Mediterranean, thus allowing the control of this sea and, if necessary, its separation into two isolated halves. This would have been possible thanks to airports in Sicily and Sardinia which could easily control the areas adjacent to the Western Mediterranean and the access to the Sicilian Channel which is the narrowing which divides the two halves. A similar case could have been made for the eastern part of the Mediterranean, which could be controlled from airports in the Apulie region, and partially from Sicily. If one also considers the Italian control over the Aegean Sea from the Dodecannes island, one might realized that the whole theory was not too far fetched, at least from a geographical viewpoint.

Rota’s project in 1925

Naturally, an argument so presented is only half of one. In fact, to implement what was just said, there are several prerequisites which had to be met and which, as we shall see, were far from being so at the beginning of the hostilities. Foremost, it was necessary to have airplanes with technical specifications commensurate to the requirements for operations at sea. These are long range reconnaissance missions, including scouting and anti-submarine patrol in addition to “classic” attacks against naval targets.

These requirements, in essence, called for the construction of bombers, torpedo bombers, long range reconnaissance planes, and hydroplanes with adequate endurance and defensive armament. It also required fighter planes capable of long escort missions at sea. In essence, it was necessary to build a series of new planes whose foremost characteristic should have been endurance thus allowing for the greatest possible range of action. Instead, the best planes available at the moment were to be utilized, and this does not mean that the aircraft in question were of lesser quality; one only has to see the results obtained by converting the SM-79 to a torpedo bomber.

Another indispensable prerequisite was the creation of an inter-force command center between the Regia Marina and the Regia Aeronautica which would allow, through the implementation of operational procedure and a similar communication system, the expeditious transfer of information and orders thus eliminating delays between the request from the Commander at Sea and the arrival of the air forces sent in his support. This would have allowed the intervention of the air force, within the limits dictated by distance between the fleet and the air bases, in an efficient and timely manner each time a request was generated by the fleet.

Even this aspect was completely neglected. Anything capable of flying was under the direct control of the Regia Aeronautica with the only exception of the hydroplanes INAM Ro-43 aboard battleships and cruisers whose crews were anyway mixed, with the pilot belonging the Aeronautica and the Navigator to the Marina. Naturally, these small single engine byplanes, slow and almost without any armament and with limited endurance were only used for strategic reconnaissance and could not be a substitute for a well trained and coordinated naval aviation unless one or more carriers had been introduced. The consequences were clearly seen at the battle of Punta Stilo, where about one hundred bombers sent to the battle arrived late. Some of them even attacked the Italian ships, mistake this probably justified by the intense anti aircraft barrage generated by the fleet and which, thankfully, did not have any positive effect.

In conclusion, the few squadrons placed here and there, should have been instead a much more robust air force, probably with a few hundreds planes of various kind strategically placed in different sectors but with forces sufficient for a massive deployment. Ultimately, none of this was ever accomplished: the Regia Marina had to operate without aircraft carriers and without an air force trained and available. During the conflict, the occasions in which collaboration between the Regia Marina and the Regia Aeronautica worked decently could be counted on a single hand. Let us go back to the aircraft carries:

The Projects

Notwithstanding the evident opposition of the regime to the construction of aircraft carriers, the Regia Marina dedicated resources in support of studies and projects for the entire period preceding the conflict. Specifically, three projects from this period deserve mentioning for the thoroughness of the studies conducted. These projects were presented in 1925, 1928 and 1932 with the last one reintroduced in 1936 after a few variances.

In reality, even since 1921, Lieutenant G. Fioravanzo had presented a project for an hybrid called “antiaircraft cruiser” which was born of the idea of merging on a single naval platform antiaircraft guns and a group of fighter planes. This ship, similar in dimension to the British Hermes, was to displace 10,000 tons and produce a speed of 30 knots while armed with 18 102mm guns of 16 120mm ones. The fighter group was to be composed of 16 fighter planes.

The first project, dating back to 1925, presented a hybrid of about 12,500 tons, half carrier and half cruiser. The landing deck was to be of full length, still leaving enough space at the two extremities for two quadruple 203mm turrets to be used against other ships. These would be complemented by 6 100mm installed on island to the side of the deck and two six-gun 40mm place on the bow and stern. The stern was configured like a slide, thus allowing the deployment and retrieval of reconnaissance hydroplanes of which the ship was to be equipped. In the middle of the landing deck were to be placed the fire control towers along with the three funnels and the mast. These apparatuses were retractable, thus allowing for the entire landing deck to be used for flight operations. The funnels, while retracted, was to discharge through a lateral opening.

In 1928, the same project was updated increasing the displacement to 15,000 tons (thus allowing for a better utilization of the 60,000 tons allotted to Italy by the conference of Washington) and with speed similar to the larger units (battleships and cruisers) then in use. Armament was to be composed by 6 dual 152mm guns and 8 dual 100 mm ones for antiaircraft defense. For armor, the horizontal protection was to be similar to the Trento class, while for the vertical it was planned to have reinforced plates protecting the vital parts of the ship (engines, ammunition depots and gasoline). The air wing was planned at 40 aircraft: 18 fighters, 12 reconnaissance planes and 6 to 12 attack planes. But, as a document from the time says, “the need for this type of ship has not yet been recognized by His Excellency the Minister…”.

The 1932 project called for unit much more conventional of about 15 to 16,000 tons with a full flight deck and an “island” to starboard more toward the bow. Armament, much more adapted for a carrier, was to be constituted by 4 152mm guns and 7 102mm ones and a wing of about 40 to 45 planes. The 1936 project represented and improvement over the preceding one, with displacement around 15,000 tons and armament constituted by three triple 152mm guns in front and behind the “island” and with a large number of anti-aircraft 90mm guns. The wing was to be constituted by 42 planes: 24 fighters and 18 diving bombers-reconnaissance deployable my means of two or three catapults. Armor was to be light, only 60 mm near the most vital parts near the center of the ship and possible near the bow. There was not to be any horizontal protection, impossible to implement which such limiting displacement.

Instead, the ship was to be equipped with underwater protection made out of multiple bulkheads 3 meters apart and creating a second hull, which should have been untouched by eventual damages. The engine was to produces a very high 160,000 HP generating a maximum speed of 38 knots (!). Speed this that was thought necessary for the ship to be effective. However, many noted that if the required speed had bee reasonably kept to 32 knows, the HP requirement would have been cut in half. Hsis would have created less stress on the engine itself, leaving more room for the aeronautical infrastructures, such has hangars, shops, ammo and fuel depot ultimately increasing the operational life of the vessel.

Furthermore, it would have been possible to utilize a diesel engine with the well-known advantages in terms of fuel consumption, reliability and longevity. Regardless, despite the blooming of projects and the favorable opinions expressed by high ranking officers of the Regia Marina, none of these projects ever materialized and the Regia Marina found itself on June 10th, 1940 without an aircraft carrier and, as a matter of fact, without naval aviation.

The war, Matapan and the Aquila

Under these circumstances, all problems came immediately to the surface and, already during the Action of Calabria, it was understood the significance of requesting assistance from land-based wings without any established procedure in regards to shared command and control. If this had not been enough, the Battle of Gavdo and Matapan took care of clearing out, one and for all, any doubt about the usefulness of the aircraft carrier as part of a battle group.

The destruction of three heavy cruisers and their escort by the Mediterranean Fleet was possible thanks to the presence of the radar on the British units. Also instrumental was the timely and meticulous British reconnaissance which kept Admiral Cunnigham always informed of the position and situation of the Italian fleet. Furthermore, the presence of the Formidable allowed for the deployment of a group of torpedo bombers, which, the night of the 28th of March, was able to immobilize the Pola with all the terrible consequences which followed.

The liner Roma

After that terrible day, there was not any hesitation: the Regia Marina had to have an aircraft carrier. In July, the order was given for the conversion of the liner Roma to an aircraft carrier. This liner was chosen in virtues of several factors, which made it a better candidate that other ships. First of all, it was not too old (it was about 15 year old) but still it needed work to remain competitive in its arena, so the ship owner would not create too many difficulties in giving up the vessel. Second, most of the internal structure needed upgrading and it was therefor convenient to do it as part of the transformation. Also, the engine was not any longer adequate and needed work. The hull, on the other hand, was strong and spacious and would have allowed for the installation of the necessary infrastructures required by a carrier.

The Acquila

The transformation work began immediately. The underwater part of the hull was modified with the installation of saddle-tanks to minimize the wake and allow for a better flow of the water around the hull, which was widened about 5 meters. The internal compartments were completely reorganized to allow for the installation for the hangar capable of hosting 30 to 40 planes, and the necessary shops and support systems.

The original four Parsons turbines, capable of 21.5 knots, were completely replaced. Instead were installed four turbines originally planned for the light cruisers “Capitani Romani” class made available by the cancellation of 4 of the original 12 vessels. Each turbine was capable of 50,000 HP, but on this installation they were limited to 37,500, also replaced were the propellers which were designed for this larger, but slower ship.

The superstructure consisted in a multi-desk fore-bridge placed amidships on the starboard, followed by a large funnel to which were directed the exhaust from the boilers. The flight deck was continuos, from bow to stern, and obviously integral part of the hull, but was held by special structures. To the side of the deck were several ledges holding both the ship’s armament and some of the equipment.

Armament was mostly designed for antiaircraft defense and included 8 135/45 guns and 12 65/64 on single mounts placed on the ledges to the side of the deck. Also, defense included 132 20/65 machine guns in 22 sextuple mounting distributed to the sides of the deck and in front and back of the island. As on can see, the armament was quite respectable and surely adequate.

The air wing consisted of 51 aircraft. The type selected (it had been decided not to develop a plane specifically for this use due to the long development times) was the fighter Reggiane RE-2001. It was a single engine single-seater, which had entered service in 1941 and was powered by a 1,175 HP Daimler Benz (build under license by Alfa Romeo) and capable of a maximum speed of 540 Km/h. Armament consisted of two 12.7 mm and two 7.7 mm guns. Also, the plane had a centrally mounted hook for the installation of a bomb (for the utilization of the plane as a bomber). The version embarked had a substantially modified undercarriage, strengthen for the deck landing and also was equipped with stopping hook. The installation of the 51 planes was a classic example of Italian ingenuity since the hangars could only host 36 planes (respectively 26 and 10), the remaining planes were literally hang from the ceiling thus bringing the total capacity to 51. There was also in the planning the construction of a version of the Re-2001 with folding wings. With this model, the ship would have been able to deploy 66 aircraft.

Re-2001

Protection, obviously, was quite limited and was essentially limited to the vital parts. There was no protection for the flight deck, there was no protective belt, but only a light protection around the rudder. Also, some of the bulkheads were filled with concrete to increase protection.

It was destine, however, that Italy would conclude the war without an aircraft carrier. In September 1943 the Aquila, now almost completed and for sea trials, was caught by the armistice in Genoa and was captured by the Germans. It was later damaged during an allied aerial bombardment on June 16th, 1944 and later sunk by Italian insidious weapons on April 19th, 1945. The relict was later rescued and scuttle after the war.

Aquila was not to be alone. In 1942 it was decided to transform into an aircraft carrier the Roma’s quasi-sister ship Augustus. This transformation was to be very limited. The Sparviero (this was the designated name) was scheduled to be a support carrier similar to the allied ships: continuos flight deck, no island, later exhaust, and armed with 6 152 mm and 4 102 mm guns placed to the side of the deck. The ship was to have a wing of about 20 planes.

The wreck of the Sparviero in Genoa after the war

The engine was to be the original diesel one, capable of 18 knots. Work began in November 1942, but was stopped by the armistice the following year at an earlier stage. Practically, the ship had been “shaven” down to the main deck, but none of the structure had been build. This transformation, like the one before, went up in smoke in the nebulous times of September 8th. The Italian Navy had to wait until 1985 before it could receive its first carrier, almost forty years later, when the cruiser-carrier (or light carrier) Giuseppe Garibaldi entered service.

Final Considerations

The history of the Italian carriers during WW II cannot be completed without some final considerations. It was said that if the Regia Marina had had an aircraft carrier it would have been able to fight the Royal Navy on a plain level and that certain events (see Matapan), would have taken a different turn.

The Acquila at the end of the war

It is opportune to consider a few things. First of all, the number of this fantasy carriers. Considering their cost of this kind of unit, and the shipbuilding capabilities of the Italian industries, it would not be logical to assume that Italy could have had more that one or two units (at the very best three). France, for instance, had only the Béarn plus two more planned. Similarly, it is plausible to assume that these ships would have not been large carriers of the class of the Saratoga or Akagi, but vessel with lesser characteristics as we so in the projects presented between the wars.

With two carriers in service, means that beside some rare exceptions, only one unit would be available while the other is been refitted, worked on or upgraded. Also, considering that these units would have been the primary target of the British forces, it is safe to assume that at least one would have been sunk. So, what could have these few carriers do? Escort the fleet in its rare excursions in pursuit of enemy vessel? Escort convoy to North Africa, thus securing aerial coverage? Both? Antisubmarine patrol? As one can see these are many assignments which two carriers alone cannot accomplish. If they had been with the fleet, maybe at Matapan the three cruisers and the two destroyers would have not been lost. Maybe, the Italian could have destroyed a few British convoys, but the faith on the Italian ones would have not changed.

If the carrier had escorted the convoys, Rommel would have received a greater quantity of supply, but the ultimate faith of the African campaign would have not changed and the fleet would have been left without the assuring eyes of naval aviation. If submarine hunting had been a priority, then it would have been only a fruitless effort not worth the risk of getting a torpedo up the hull.

Ultimately, we are brought to conclude that these two or three carriers which Mussolini’s Italy could have afforded, would have not reasonably changed the course of the events of WW II. Surely, they would have been useful to the naval operations (no doubts here), and could have avoided horrendous episodes (horrendous for the final result, but not for the bravery demonstrated by the Italian sailors), but what would have really served Italy, perhaps more than carriers, would have been a strong naval aviation organized in bases distributed on the national territory and overseas allowing for good coverage of the Mediterranean and a good coordination with the operations of the fleet. This would have allowed an even better utilization of the carriers, thus giving it its maximum value.

Translated from Italian by Cristiano D’Adamo

All Vessels

All vessels utilized by the Regia Marina during the conflict

VesselPen.ClassTypeShipyardLaid DownLaunchedCommissionedFateOn
AbastroAbastroMinesweeperNeptun, Rostok
AcciaioACPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)11/21/19406/22/194110/30/1941Sunk7/13/1943
AcquiloneALTurbineDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente5/18/19258/3/192712/3/1927Sunk7/27/1940
AduaADAduaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/1/19369/13/193611/14/1936Sunk9/30/1941
AironeAOSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/29/19361/23/19385/10/1938Sunk10/12/1940
AlabardaArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/24/19435/7/194411/27/1944Captured9/9/1943
AlabastroABPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/14/194112/18/19415/9/1942Sunk9/14/1942
AlagiALAduaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/19/193611/15/19363/6/1937Removed from Service9/9/1943
Alberico da BarbianoCondottieri tipo Di GiussanoCruiser – LightAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/16/19288/23/19306/9/1931Sunk12/13/1941
Alberto da GiussanoCondottieri tipo Di GiussanoCruiser – LightAnsaldo, Sestri Levante3/29/19284/27/19302/5/1931Sunk12/31/1941
AlceC 23GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno5/27/194212/5/1942Captured9/9/1943
AlcioneACSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/29/193612/23/19375/10/1938Sunk12/11/1941
AlderabanALSpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/2/19356/14/19366/12/1936Sunk10/24/1941
Alessandro MalaspinaMAMarconiSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)3/1/19392/18/19406/20/1940Sunk9/10/1941
Alfredo OrianiOAOrianiDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno10/28/19357/30/19367/15/1937Transferred1/1/1948
AliseoASOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatNavalmeccanica, Castellammare9/16/19419/20/19422/28/1943
AlpinoAPSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona5/2/19379/8/19384/20/1939Sunk4/19/1943
Alpino BagnoliniBILiuzziSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto12/15/193810/28/193912/22/1939Captured3/11/1943
AltairATSpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/2/19357/26/193612/23/1936Sunk10/20/1941
Alvise Da MostoDMNavigatoriDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume8/22/19287/1/19293/15/1931Sunk12/1/1941
AmbraPLPerlaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone8/28/19355/28/19368/4/1936Scuttled9/9/1943
AmetistaAASirenaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)9/16/19314/26/19334/1/1934Scuttled9/12/1943
Ammiraglio CagniCAAmmiragliSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/16/19397/20/19408/21/1941Removed from Service9/9/1943
Ammiraglio CaraccioloCCAmmiragliSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/16/193910/16/19409/15/1941Sunk12/11/1941
Ammiraglio MilloMGAmmiragliSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/16/19398/31/19407/15/1941Sunk5/13/1943
Ammiraglio Saint BonSBAmmiragliSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/16/19396/6/19403/12/1941Sunk1/5/1942
Andrea DoriaDuilioBattleshipArsenale Navale, La Spezia4/1/193710/26/194010/26/1940Removed from Service6/15/1956
AndromedaADSpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/2/19356/28/193612/6/1936Sunk3/17/1941
AnfitriteANSirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone7/11/19317/5/19333/22/1934Scuttled3/6/1941
Angelo BassiniLa MasaDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
AnimosoAMOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/3/19414/15/19428/14/1942
AntaresANSpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/2/19357/19/193612/23/1936Sunk5/28/1943
AntilopeC 19GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno1/20/19425/9/194211/11/1942Captured9/9/1943
Antonio BiamontiOsvetnikSubmarine – CoastalLoires, Nantes (France)12/1/19284/1/1941Scuttled8/9/1943
Antonio Da NoliDNNavigatoriDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso7/25/19275/21/192912/29/1929Sunk7/9/1943
Antonio MostoRosolino PiloDestroyerPattison, Napoli
Antonio PigafettaPINavigatoriDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume12/29/192711/10/19295/1/1931Captured10/1/1944
Antonio SciesaSCBalillaSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)10/20/19258/18/19284/12/1929Scuttled11/6/1942
Antoniotto UsodimareUSNavigatoriDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente6/1/19275/12/192911/21/1929Sunk6/8/1942
ApeC 25GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare5/6/194211/22/19425/15/1943
AquilaAquilaAircraft CarrierAnsaldo, Sestri LevanteCaptured9/8/1943
AradamARAduaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/14/193610/18/19361/16/1937Scuttled9/9/1943
ArbeArbeMinelayerKraljevica, Jugoslavia
ArchimedeAHBrinSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto12/23/19373/5/19394/18/1939Sunk4/15/1943
ArdeaC 54GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante3/15/1943Captured9/9/1943
ArdenteADOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/7/19415/27/19429/30/1942Wrecked1/12/1943
ArdimentosoATOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/7/19416/28/194212/14/1942
ArditoAROrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/3/19413/14/19426/30/1942Captured9/16/1943
AretusaAUSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/26/19362/6/19387/1/1938
ArgentoAGPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto4/30/19412/22/19425/16/1942Scuttled8/3/1943
ArgoAOArgoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone12/9/193511/24/19368/31/1937Scuttled9/10/1943
ArgonautaAUArgonautaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/9/19291/19/19311/14/1932Sunk6/29/1940
ArielAESpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/29/19363/14/19387/1/1938Sunk10/12/1940
ArieteArieteTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/15/19423/6/19438/5/1943
Armando DiazCondottieri tipo CadornaCruiser – LightOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)7/28/19307/10/19324/29/1933Sunk2/25/1941
ArtemideC 39GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/9/19428/10/194210/10/1942Captured9/9/1943
ArtigliereARSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno2/15/193712/12/193711/14/1938Sunk10/12/1940
ArturoArieteTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/15/19423/27/194310/4/1943Captured9/9/1943
AscariAISoldati 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno12/11/19377/31/19385/6/1939Sunk3/24/1943
AscianghiASAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)1/20/19377/5/19373/25/1938Sunk7/23/1943
AsteriaAEPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/16/19405/25/194111/8/1941Sunk2/17/1943
AtropoATFocaSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto7/10/193711/20/19382/14/1939Stricken9/9/1943
Attilio RegoloCapitani RomaniCruiser – LightOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno9/28/19398/28/19405/14/1942Removed from Service7/26/1948
Augusto RibotyRIMaestraleDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante2/27/19159/24/19165/5/1917Transferred
AurigaArieteTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/15/19424/15/194312/28/1943Captured9/9/1943
AviereAVSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno1/16/19379/19/19378/31/1938Sunk12/17/1942
AvorioAVPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/9/19409/6/19413/25/1942Sunk2/9/1943
AxumAXAduaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/8/19369/27/193612/2/1936Scuttled12/28/1943
AzioOstiaMinelayerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona
AzioOstiaMine LayerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona1/1/19251/1/1927
BaiamontiBMBajamontiSubmarine – CoastalLoires, Nantes (France)1/1/192712/1/192812/2/1928Scuttled9/9/1943
BaionettaC 34GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia2/24/194210/5/19425/15/1943
BalenoBODardo 2a SerieDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume10/1/19293/22/19316/15/1932Sunk4/17/1941
BalestraArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume9/5/1943
BalillaBLBalillaSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)1/12/19252/20/19277/20/1928Stricken4/28/1941
BarbarigoBOMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/6/19376/12/19389/19/1938Sunk6/16/1943
BariBariObsolete ShipSchichau, Danzig (Germany)12/31/19124/4/191412/14/1914Sunk6/28/1943
Battolomeo ColleoniCondottieri tipo Di GiussanoCruiser – LightAnsaldo, Sestri Levante6/21/192812/21/19302/10/1932Sunk7/19/1940
BausanBNPisaniSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/20/19263/24/19289/15/1929Removed from Service11/8/1941
BeilulBUAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)7/2/19375/22/19389/14/1938Sunk9/9/1943
BereniceC 66GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/1/19424/21/19438/1/1943
BerilloBEPerlaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/14/19356/14/19368/5/1936Scuttled10/2/1940
BersagliereBGSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona4/21/19377/3/19384/1/1939Sunk1/7/1943
Bettino RicasoliRCSellaDestroyerPattison, Napoli1/11/19231/29/192612/11/2026Transferred3/1/1940
BolzanoBolzanoCruiser – HeavyAnsaldo, Sestri Levante6/11/19308/31/19328/19/1933Sunk6/22/1944
BombardaC 38GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia8/31/1942Captured9/11/1943
BombardiereBRSoldati 2a SerieDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona10/7/19403/23/19427/15/1942Sunk1/17/1943
BoreaBRTurbineDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/29/19251/28/192711/24/1927Sunk7/17/1940
BrinBRBrinSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto12/3/19364/3/19386/30/1938Stricken9/9/1943
BronzoBZPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto12/2/19409/28/19411/2/1942Captured7/12/1943
BuccariFasanaMinelayerNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
CA 1CA ISubmarine – MidgetCaproni Taliedo4/15/1938Scuttled9/9/1943
CA 2CA ISubmarine – MidgetCaproni TaliedoCaptured9/9/1943
CA 3CA ISubmarine – MidgetCaproni TaliedoRemoved from Service9/9/1943
CA 4CA ISubmarine – MidgetCaproni TaliedoRemoved from Service9/9/1943
Caio DuilioDuilioBattleshipNavalmeccanica, Castellammare4/8/19377/15/19407/15/1940Removed from Service11/1/1956
CalabroneC 30GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare10/1/19426/27/1943Captured9/9/1943
CalipsoCISpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante9/29/19376/12/193811/16/1938Sunk12/5/1940
CalliopeCPSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante5/26/19374/15/193810/28/1938
Camicia NeraCNSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno1/21/19378/8/19376/30/1938Transferred2/21/1949
CamoscioC 21GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno1/25/19425/9/19424/18/1943
CanopoCASpica tipo ClimeneTorpedo BoatCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso12/10/193510/1/19363/31/1937Sunk5/3/1941
Capitano TarantiniTALiuzziSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto4/5/19391/7/19403/16/1930Sunk12/15/1940
CaprioloC 22GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno6/3/194212/5/1942Captured9/9/1943
CarabinaC 37GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia9/28/19428/31/1943Captured9/11/1943
CarabiniereCBSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso2/1/19377/23/193712/20/1938Removed from Service1/18/1965
Carlo MirabelloMIMaestraleDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante11/21/191412/21/19158/24/1916Sunk5/21/1941
CarristaCRSoldati 2a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno9/11/1941Removed from Service
CassiopeaCSSpica tipo ClimeneTorpedo BoatCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso12/10/193511/22/19364/26/1937
CastelfitardoCurtatoneDestroyerOrlando, Livorno1/1/19201/1/19221/1/1923Captured1/1/1943
CastoreCTSpica tipo ClimeneTorpedo BoatCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona1/25/19369/27/19361/16/1937Sunk6/2/1943
CatalafimiCurtatoneDestroyerOrlando, Livorno1/1/19201/1/19221/1/1923Captured1/1/1943
CavallettaC 31GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare3/12/1942
CB 1CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo1/27/1941Transferred9/9/1943
CB 10CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo8/1/1943Removed from Service
CB 11CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo8/24/1943Scuttled9/11/1943
CB 12CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo8/24/1943Scuttled9/11/1943
CB 13CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoSunk3/23/1945
CB 14CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoSunk
CB 15CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoSunk
CB 16CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoSurrendered
CB 17CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoSunk4/3/1945
CB 18CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoSunk3/31/1945
CB 19CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoCaptured
CB 2CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo1/27/1941Transferred9/9/1943
CB 20CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoCaptured
CB 21CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoSunk4/29/1945
CB 22CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni TaliedoCaptured
CB 3CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo5/10/1941Transferred9/9/1943
CB 4CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo5/10/1941Transferred9/9/1943
CB 5CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo5/10/1941Sunk6/13/1942
CB 6CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo5/10/1941Transferred9/9/1943
CB 7CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo8/1/1943Removed from Service
CB 8CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo8/1/1943Removed from Service
CB 9CBSubmarine – CoastalCaproni Taliedo8/1/1943Removed from Service
CentauroCOSpica tipo ClimeneTorpedo BoatCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona5/30/19342/19/19366/16/1936Sunk11/4/1942
CerniaTritoneSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto7/12/1943Stricken
CervoC 56GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno2/25/1943
Cesare BattistiBTSauroDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente2/9/192412/11/19264/13/1927Scuttled4/3/1941
ChimeraC 48GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone6/27/19421/30/19435/26/1943
CicalaC 29GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare9/30/19426/27/1943Captured9/9/1943
CicloneCIOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/9/19413/1/19425/21/1942Sunk3/8/1943
CicognaC 15GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante6/15/194210/12/19421/11/1943Wrecked7/24/1943
CignoCGSpica tipo ClimeneTorpedo BoatCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona3/11/193611/24/19363/15/1937Sunk4/16/1943
CirceCCSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante9/29/19376/29/193810/4/1938Sunk11/27/1942
Ciro MenottiMEBandieraSubmarine – Medium RangeOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)5/12/19287/29/19297/29/1930Stricken9/9/1943
ClavaC 63GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia10/20/1943
ClimeneCESpica tipo ClimeneTorpedo BoatCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona7/25/19341/7/19364/24/1936Sunk4/28/1943
ClioCLSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/29/19364/3/193810/2/1938
CobaltoCBPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)11/26/19408/20/19413/18/1942Sunk8/12/1942
CoccinigliaC 61GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
CofienzaPalestroDestroyerOrlando, Livorno
ColubrinaC 35GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia3/14/194212/7/1942Captured9/11/1943
Comandante CappelliniCLMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)4/25/19385/14/19399/23/1939Captured9/8/1943
Comandante Faa Di BrunoFBMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)4/28/19386/18/193910/23/1939Sunk10/31/1940
Console Generale LiuzziLZLiuzziSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto10/1/19389/17/193911/21/1939Sunk6/27/1940
Conte di CavourCavourBattleshipCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/1/19336/1/193710/1/1937Removed from Service12/15/1948
CoralloCOPerlaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/1/19358/2/19369/26/1936Sunk12/13/1942
CorazziereCZ (CR)Soldati 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno10/7/19375/22/19383/4/1939Scuttled9/9/1943
CormoranoC 13GabbianoCorvetteSocieta Anonima Cantieri Cerusa, Genova-Voltri1/14/19429/20/19423/6/1943
CorridoniCRBragadinSubmarine – MinelayingTosi, Taranto7/4/19273/30/193011/17/1931Stricken9/8/1943
CorsaroCASoldati 2a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno1/23/194111/16/19415/16/1942Sunk1/9/1943
CrisalideC 58GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
CurtatoreCurtatoneDestroyerOrlando, Livorno1/1/19201/1/19221/1/1923Sunk1/1/1941
D1D1MinesweeperCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona
D10D10MinesweeperCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume
Da ProcidaDPMameliSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto9/21/19254/1/19281/20/1929Stricken9/8/1943
DagaArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/9/19437/15/19433/27/1944Captured9/9/1943
DagaburDAAduaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto4/16/19369/22/19364/9/1937Sunk8/12/1942
DainoC 55GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno3/1/1943
DanaideC 44GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/9/194210/21/19422/27/1943
DandoloDOMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone6/14/19379/20/19373/25/1938Stricken9/8/1943
Daniele ManinMASauroDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume10/9/19241/15/19255/1/1927Sunk4/3/1941
DardanelliOstiaMine LayerCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/1/19251/1/2925
DardanelliOstiaMinelayerStabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste
DardoDADardo 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente1/23/19297/6/19301/25/1932Captured9/9/1943
DelfinoDLSqualoSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/27/19284/27/19306/19/1930Sunk3/23/1943
DenticeTritoneSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto7/23/1943Stricken
Des GeneysDNPisaniSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/1/19266/14/192810/31/1929Removed from Service5/28/1943
DessièDEAduaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto4/20/193611/22/19364/14/1937Sunk11/28/1942
DiamanteDISirenaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto5/11/19315/21/19336/18/1933Sunk6/20/1940
DianaDianaDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume5/31/19395/20/194011/12/1940Sunk6/29/1942
DiasproDSPerlaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/21/19357/5/19368/28/1936Stricken9/8/1943
DragoneArieteTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/15/19428/14/19434/3/1944Captured9/9/1943
DriadeC 43GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/9/194210/7/19421/14/1943
DurazzoFasanaMinelayerNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
DurboDUAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)3/8/19373/6/19387/1/1938Scuttled10/18/1940
EgeriaC 67GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/15/19437/3/1943Captured9/9/1943
Emanuele Filiberto Duca d’AostaCondottieri tipo Duca di AostaCruiser – LightOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno10/29/19324/22/19343/17/1935Removed from Service2/12/1949
Emanuele PessagnoPSNavigatoriDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona10/9/19278/12/19293/10/1930Sunk5/29/1942
EmoEOMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/16/19376/29/193810/14/1938Sunk11/10/1942
Enrico CosenzLa MasaDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Enrico TazzoliTZCalviSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)9/16/193210/13/19354/18/1936Sunk5/18/1943
EridanoArieteTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/15/19427/12/19433/4/1944Captured9/9/1943
EritreaEritreaCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare7/25/19359/20/19362/10/1937
Ermanno CarlottoCarlottoRiver GunboatShangai Dode Engineering1/1/19201/1/19211/1/1921Captured8/9/1943
Ernestro GiovanniniAndrea BafineEscort GunboatPattison, Napoli1/1/19201/1/19221/1/1922Stricken
EsperoESTurbineDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/29/19258/31/1927Sunk6/28/1940
EtnaEtnaCruiser – LightCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/23/19395/28/1942
Ettore FieramoscaFMFieramoscaSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto7/17/19266/14/192912/5/1931Stricken3/1/1943
Eugenio di SavoiaCondottieri tipo Duca di AostaCruiser – LightAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/6/19333/16/19351/16/1936Removed from Service6/26/1951
EuridiceC 70GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone7/1/1943
EuroERTurbineDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso1/24/19257/7/192712/22/1927Sunk10/1/1943
EuterpeC 41GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone4/2/194210/22/19421/20/1943Scuttled9/9/1943
FarfallaC 59GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
FasanaFasanaMinelayerNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
FeniceC 50GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone6/27/19423/1/19436/15/1943
FerrarisFEGalileiSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto10/15/19318/11/19341/31/1935Scuttled10/25/1941
FiondaArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume8/26/1942
FisaliaFSArgonautaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/20/19295/2/19316/4/1932Sunk9/28/1941
FiumeZaraCruiser – HeavyStabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste4/29/19294/27/193011/23/1931Sunk3/28/1941
FloraC 46GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/16/194212/1/19424/26/1943
FluttoFLTritoneSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone12/1/19419/19/19423/20/1943Sunk7/11/1943
FocaFOFocaSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto1/15/19366/27/193711/6/1937Sunk10/15/1940
FolagaC 16GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante6/15/194211/14/19422/16/1943
FolgoreFGDardo 2a SerieDestroyerPartenopei, Napoli1/30/19304/26/19317/1/1932Sunk12/2/1942
FortunaleFTOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/9/19414/18/19428/16/1942
FR 11 (ex jean de Vienne)FR11Cruiser – LightArsenal de la Marine, Lorient
FR 111FR 111Submarine – Medium RangeArsenal de Brest (France)1/1/19243/16/19261/20/1943Sunk2/28/1943
FR 12 (ex La Galissoniere)FR12Cruiser – LightArsenal de la Marine, Lorient
Francesco CrispiCP (CR)SellaDestroyerPattison, Napoli2/21/19239/12/19254/29/1927Captured
Francesco NulloNLSauroDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume10/9/192411/14/19254/15/1927Sunk10/21/1940
Francesco Rismondo ex OsvetnikLürssen “S 2”Motor Torpedo BoatLurssen, Vegesak
Francesco StoccoSirtoriDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Fratelli BandieraBABandieraSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/11/19287/7/19296/2/1930Stricken9/9/1943
Fratelli CairoliRosolino PiloDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
FrecciaFRDardo 1a SerieDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso2/20/19298/3/193010/21/1931Sunk8/8/1943
FuciliereFCSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona5/2/19377/31/19382/10/1939Transferred1/17/1950
FulmineFLDardo 2a SerieDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume10/1/19298/2/19317/14/1932Sunk11/9/1941
GabbianoC 11GabbianoCorvetteSocieta Anonima Cantieri Cerusa, Genova-Voltri1/14/19426/23/194210/3/1942
GalateaGTSirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone7/18/19315/5/19336/25/1934Removed from Service9/9/1943
GalileiGLGalileiSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto10/15/19313/19/193410/16/1934Captured6/19/1940
GalvaniGABrinSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto12/3/19365/22/19387/29/1938Sunk6/24/1940
GazzellaC 20GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno1/22/19425/9/19422/6/1943Sunk8/5/1943
GemmaGEPerlaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/7/19355/21/19367/8/1936Sunk10/8/1940
Generale Achille PapaCantoneDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Generale Antonio CantoneCantoneDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Generale Antonio CascinoCantoneDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Generale Antonio ChinottoCantoneDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Generale Carlo MontanariCantoneDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Generale Marcello PrestinariCantoneDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
GeniereGESoldati 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno8/26/19372/27/193812/14/1938Sunk3/1/1943
GhibliGHOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatNavalmeccanica, Castellammare8/30/19412/28/19437/24/1943Captured9/9/1943
Giacinto CariniLa MasaDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Giacomo MediciLa MasaDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
GiadaGDPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/16/19406/10/194112/8/1941Removed from Service9/9/1943
Giosue’ CarducciCDOrianiDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno2/5/193610/28/193611/1/1937Sunk4/28/1941
Giovanni AcerbiSirtoriDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Giovanni BertaGiuseppe BiglieriMinesweeperSchiffbau G.S., Bremerhaven
Giovanni Da VerazzanoDVNavigatoriDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume8/17/192712/15/19287/25/1930Sunk10/19/1942
Giovanni dalle Bande NereCondottieri tipo Di GiussanoCruiser – LightNavalmeccanica, Castellammare10/31/19284/27/19304/1/1931Sunk4/1/1942
Giovanni NicoteraNCSellaDestroyerPattison, Napoli5/6/19256/24/19261/8/1927Transferred3/1/1940
Giulio CesareRIOsvetnikSubmarine – CoastalLoires, Nantes (France)1/14/19294/1/1941Scuttled8/9/1943
Giulio GermanicoCapitani RomaniCruiser – LightOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno4/3/19397/26/194111/9/1943
Giuseppe BiglieriGiuseppe BiglieriMinesweeperSchiffbau G.S., Bremerhaven
Giuseppe Cesare AbbaRosolino PiloDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Giuseppe DezzaRosolino PiloDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri PonenteCaptured9/8/1943
Giuseppe FinziCavourBattleshipCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso10/1/193310/1/19376/2/1937Removed from Service2/15/1945
Giuseppe GaribaldiCondottieri tipo Duca degli AbruzziCruiser – LightCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/12/19334/21/193612/20/1937Removed from Service5/1/1961
Giuseppe La FarinaLa MasaDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Giuseppe La MasaLa MasaDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Giuseppe MissoriRosolino PiloDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri PonenteCaptured9/8/1943
Giuseppe SirtoriSirtoriDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
GladioArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/9/19436/15/19431/8/1944Captured9/9/1943
GlaucoGUGlaucoSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/10/19331/5/19359/20/1935Scuttled6/27/1941
GondarGOAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)2/1/19369/13/193611/14/1936Scuttled9/30/1940
GorgoGGTritoneSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/15/19411/30/194211/11/1942Sunk5/21/1943
GoriziaZaraCruiser – HeavyOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno3/17/193012/28/193012/23/1931Captured9/8/1943
GranatiereGNSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona4/5/19374/24/19382/1/1939Removed from Service7/1/1958
GranitoGRPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/9/19408/5/19413/31/1942Sunk11/9/1942
GrecaleGRMaestraleDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona9/25/19316/17/193411/15/1934Removed from Service5/31/1964
GrilloC28GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare6/22/19423/21/1943Captured9/9/1943
GroncoTritoneSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)5/15/19411/30/194211/11/1942Scuttled9/9/1943
GroppoGPOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatNavalmeccanica, Castellammare6/18/19414/19/19428/31/1942Sunk5/25/1943
GruC 18GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/6/194212/23/19424/29/1943
Guglielmo MarconiFZCalviSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)8/1/19326/29/19351/8/1936Sunk9/8/1943
GuglielmottiGIBrinSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto12/3/19369/11/193810/12/1938Sunk3/17/1942
H1HollandSubmarine – CoastalElectric Boat Company, (Canada)1/1/19161/1/1916
H2HollandSubmarine – CoastalElectric Boat Company, (Canada)1/1/19161/1/1916
H4HollandSubmarine – CoastalElectric Boat Company, (Canada)1/1/19161/1/1917
H6HollandSubmarine – CoastalElectric Boat Company, (Canada)1/1/19161/1/1916
H8HollandSubmarine – CoastalElectric Boat Company, (Canada)1/1/19161/1/1916
IbisC 17GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante6/18/194212/12/19424/3/1943
ImpavidoIMOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso8/15/19412/24/19434/30/1943Captured9/16/1943
ImperoLittorioBattleshipAnsaldo, Sestri Levante5/14/193811/15/1940
ImpetuosoIPOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso8/15/19414/20/19436/7/1943Scuttled9/11/1943
IndomitoIDOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso1/10/19427/6/19438/4/1943
IntrepidoITOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso1/31/19429/8/19431/16/1944Captured9/9/1943
Ippolito NievoRosolino PiloDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri PonenteRemoved from Service1/1/1938
IrideIRPerlaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)9/3/19357/30/193611/6/1936Sunk8/22/1939
JaleaIAArgonautaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)1/20/19306/15/19323/16/1933Removed from Service9/9/1942
JantinaINArgonautaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)1/20/19305/16/19323/1/1933Sunk7/5/1940
LafolèLFAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)6/30/19374/10/19388/13/1938Sunk10/20/1939
LampoLPDardo 2a SerieDestroyerPartenopei, Napoli1/30/19307/26/19318/13/1932Sunk4/30/1943
LanciaArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/24/19435/7/19449/7/1944Captured9/9/1943
LanciereLNSoldati 1a SerieDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso2/1/193712/18/19384/25/1939Wrecked3/23/1942
Lanzerotto MaloncelloMONavigatoriDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante8/30/19273/14/19291/18/1930Sunk3/24/1943
LegionarioLGSoldati 2a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno10/21/19404/16/19413/1/1942Transferred8/15/1948
LegnanoOstiaMine LayerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona1/1/19251/1/1926
LegnanoOstiaMinelayerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona
Leonardo Da VinciMNMarconiSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/19/19387/30/19392/8/1940Sunk10/28/1941
LeoneLELeoneDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante11/23/192110/1/19237/1/1923Wrecked4/1/1941
Leone PancaldoPNNavigatoriDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso7/7/19272/5/192911/30/1929Sunk5/29/1942
LepantoOstiaMinelayerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona
LepantoOstiaMine LayerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona1/1/19251/1/1925
LibeccioLIMaestraleDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso9/29/19317/4/193411/23/1934Sunk11/9/1941
LibellulaC 32GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare12/3/1942
LibraLBSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume12/7/193610/3/19371/19/1938
LinceLCSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume12/7/19361/15/19384/1/1938Sunk8/28/1943
LiraLRSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume12/7/19369/12/19371/1/1938Scuttled9/9/1943
LittorioLittorioBattleshipAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/28/19348/22/19375/6/1940Removed from Service6/1/1948
Lubiana (ex Ljubljana)SebenicoDestroyerYarrow, Glasgow
Luca TarigoTANavigatoriDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante8/30/192712/9/192811/16/1929Sunk4/16/1941
LucciolaC 27GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare6/22/19423/21/1943Scuttled9/13/1943
Luciano ManaraMarconiSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/19/19389/16/19393/8/1940Sunk5/23/1943
Luigi CadornaCondottieri tipo CadornaCruiser – LightCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/19/19309/30/19318/11/1933Removed from Service5/1/1951
Luigi di Savoia Duca degli AbruzziCondottieri tipo Duca degli AbruzziCruiser – LightOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)12/28/19334/21/193612/1/1937Removed from Service5/1/1961
Luigi TorelliMRBandieraSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/18/192810/5/19299/9/1930Stricken9/10/1943
LupoLP (LU)Spica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume12/7/193611/7/19372/28/1938Sunk12/2/1942
MacallèAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)3/1/193610/29/19363/1/1937Sunk6/15/1940
MaestraleMAMaestraleDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona9/25/19314/5/19349/2/1934Scuttled9/9/1943
MaggiolinoC 60GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
Maggiore BaraccaBGMarconiSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)3/1/19394/21/19407/10/1940Sunk9/8/1941
MalachiteMHPerlaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)8/31/19357/15/19361/6/1936Sunk2/9/1943
Maleda (ex Mljet)ArbeMinelayerKraljevica, Jugoslavia
MameliMMMameliSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto8/17/192512/9/19261/20/1929Stricken9/9/1943
MarangoneC 52GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante3/15/19439/16/19438/16/1944Captured9/9/1943
Marcantonio BragadinMarconiSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)2/15/19391/6/19405/15/1940Captured9/8/1943
Marcantonio ColonnaBGBragadinSubmarine – MinelayingTosi, Taranto2/2/19277/21/192911/16/1931Stricken9/9/1943
MarcelloMLMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/4/19379/20/19373/5/1938Sunk2/22/1941
MareaMATritoneSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone12/1/194112/10/19425/7/1943Removed from Service9/9/1943
Mario SonziniGiuseppe BiglieriMinesweeperSchiffbau G.S., Bremerhaven
MAS 1D (ex TC 1)Thornycroft 55Motor Torpedo BoatThornycroft, Londra
MAS 204Baglietto 12 tonMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze4/12/1918Scuttled4/8/1941
MAS 206Baglietto 12 tonMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze6/14/1918Scuttled4/8/1941
MAS 210Baglietto 12 tonMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze8/3/1918Scuttled4/8/1941
MAS 213Baglietto 12 tonMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze8/19/1918Scuttled4/8/1941
MAS 216Baglietto 12 tonMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze9/16/1918Scuttled4/8/1941
MAS 2D (ex TC 2)Thornycroft 55Motor Torpedo BoatThornycroft, Londra
MAS 423S.V.A.N velocissimo da 13 tonnellateMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 424Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a Serie SperimentaleMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 426S.V.A.N velocissimo da 13 tonnellateMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 430S.V.A.N velocissimo da 13 tonnellateMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 431Baglietto 1931Motor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 432S.V.A.N velocissimo da 13 tonnellateMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 433S.V.A.N velocissimo da 13 tonnellateMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 434S.V.A.N velocissimo da 13 tonnellateMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 437S.V.A.N velocissimo dieselMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 438Baglietto 1934Motor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 439Baglietto 1934Motor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 440Baglietto 1934Motor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 441Baglietto 1934Motor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 451Tipo Biglietto VelocissimoMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 452Tipo Biglietto VelocissimoMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 501Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 502Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 503Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 504Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 505Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 507Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 509Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 510Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 512Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 513Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 514Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 515Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 516Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 517Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 518Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 519Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 520Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 521Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 522Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 523Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 524Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatSocieta Veneziana Automobili Navali (S.V.A.N.), Venezia
MAS 525Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 526Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 527Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 528Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 529Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 530Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 531Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 532Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 533Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 534Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 535Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 536Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 537Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 538Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 539Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 540Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 541Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 542Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 543Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 544Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 545Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 546Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 547Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 548Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 549Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 550Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 551Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatC.N.A., Roma
MAS 552Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 553Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 554Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MAS 555Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 556Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 557Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 558Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 559Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 560Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 561Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 562Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 563Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 564Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 566Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 567Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 568Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 569Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 570Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatBaglietto, Varazze
MAS 571Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 572Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 573Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
MAS 574Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 575Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MAS 576Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCelli, Venezia
MedusaMUArgonautaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/30/192912/10/193110/8/1932Sunk1/30/1942
MelpomeneC 68GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/25/19438/29/1943Captured9/9/1943
MeteoAbastroMinesweeperNeptun, Rostok
MiccaMCMiccaSubmarine – MinelayingTosi, Taranto10/15/19313/31/19351/10/1935Sunk7/29/1943
Michele BianchiCNPisaniSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/12/192512/26/20277/10/1929Removed from Service6/1/1942
MilazzoOstiaMinelayerStabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste
MilazzoOstiaMine LayerCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/1/19251/1/1927
MillelireMIBalillaSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)10/20/19259/19/19278/11/1928Removed from Service5/15/1941
MinervaC 42GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone4/2/194211/5/19422/24/1943
MitragliereMTSoldati 2a SerieDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona10/7/19409/28/19412/1/1942Transferred7/15/1948
MocenigoMOMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/19/193711/20/19378/16/1938Sunk3/14/1941
MonsoneMSOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatNavalmeccanica, Castellammare6/18/19416/7/194211/28/1942Sunk3/1/1943
MorosiniMSMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/2/19377/28/193811/11/1938Sunk8/11/1942
MozambanoCurtatoneDestroyerOrlando, Livorno1/1/19201/1/19221/1/1923
MS 11C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 41 (ex Orjen)S1Motor Torpedo BoatLurssen, Vegesak
MS 51MS 51Motor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone8/6/194210/14/19422/15/1943Scuttled9/9/1943
MS 12C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 13C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 14C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 15C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 16C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 21C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 22C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 23C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 24C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 25C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 26C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 31C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 32C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 33C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 34C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 35C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 36C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 43Lürssen “S 2”Motor Torpedo BoatLurssen, Vegesak
MS 44Lürssen “S 2”Motor Torpedo BoatLurssen, Vegesak
MS 45Lürssen “S 2”Motor Torpedo BoatLurssen, Vegesak
MS 46Lürssen “S 2”Motor Torpedo BoatLurssen, Vegesak
MS 51C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 52C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 53C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 54C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 55C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 56C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 61C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 62C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 63C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 64C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 65C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 66C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 71C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 72C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 73C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 74C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 75C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MS 76C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
MurenaTritoneSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)4/1/19424/11/19438/25/1943Scuttled9/9/1943
Muzio AttendoloCondottieri tipo MontecuccoliCruiser – LightCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone4/10/19339/9/19348/7/1935Sunk12/4/1942
NaiadeNASirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/9/19313/27/193311/16/1933Scuttled12/14/1940
NaniNIMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/15/19371/16/19389/5/1938Sunk1/7/1941
NarvaloNRSqualoSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/17/19283/15/193012/11/1930Scuttled1/14/1943
NautiloTritoneSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/3/19423/20/19437/26/1943Scuttled9/9/1943
Nazario SauroBHMarconiSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)2/15/193912/3/19394/15/1940Sunk7/5/1941
NeghelliNGAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)2/25/193711/7/19372/22/1938Sunk1/19/1941
NemboNBTurbineDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso1/21/19251/27/192710/24/1927Sunk7/20/1940
NereideNESirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/30/19315/25/19332/17/1934Sunk7/13/1943
NichelioNCPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)7/1/19414/12/19427/30/1942Removed from Service9/8/1943
Nicola FabriziSUSauroDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente2/9/19245/12/19269/23/1926Sunk4/3/1941
Nicolo’ ZenoLa MasaDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Nicoloso Da ReccoZENavigatoriDestroyerCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume6/5/19278/12/19285/27/1930Sunk9/9/1943
OndinaONSirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone7/25/193112/2/19339/19/1934Scuttled7/11/1942
OniceOCPerlaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)8/27/19356/15/19369/1/1936Stricken9/9/1943
OrioneOrsa 1a SerieTorpedo BoatCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona4/27/19364/21/19373/31/1938
OrsaOrsa 1a SerieTorpedo BoatCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona4/27/19363/21/19373/31/1938
OstiaOstiaMine LayerCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/1/19251/1/1925
OstiaOstiaMinelayerStabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste
OstroOTTurbineDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/29/19251/2/192810/9/1928Sunk7/21/1940
OtariaOAGlaucoSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/17/19333/20/193510/20/1935Stricken9/9/1943
PalestroPalestroDestroyerOrlando, Livorno
PalladePDSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatSocieta Anonima Bacini e Scali Napoli, Napoli2/13/193712/19/193710/5/1938Sunk8/4/1943
PanteraPALeoneDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante12/19/192110/18/192310/28/1924Scuttled4/4/1941
PartenopePNSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatSocieta Anonima Bacini e Scali Napoli, Napoli1/31/19372/27/193811/26/1938Sunk5/4/1943
Pasman (ex Mosor)ArbeMinelayerKraljevica, Jugoslavia
PegasoOrsa 1a SerieTorpedo BoatSocieta Anonima Bacini e Scali Napoli, Napoli2/15/193612/8/19363/30/1938Scuttled9/11/1943
PelagosaFasanaMinelayerNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
Pellegrino MatteucciPellegrino MatteucciMinesweeperDeutsche Werft, Amburgo (Germany)
Pellegrino MatteucciGiuseppe BiglieriMinesweeperSchiffbau G.S., Bremerhaven
PellicanoC 14GabbianoCorvetteSocieta Anonima Cantieri Cerusa, Genova-Voltri1/14/19422/12/19433/15/1943
PerlaPLPerlaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone8/31/19355/3/19367/8/1936Captured7/9/1942
PersefoneC 40GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/9/19429/21/194211/28/1942Scuttled9/9/1943
PerseoPSSpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume11/21/193410/9/19352/1/1936Sunk5/4/1943
Pier CapponiDRNavigatoriDestroyerCantiere Navale Riuniti (C.N.R.) Ancona12/14/19271/5/19305/20/1930Removed from Service7/15/1954
Pietro CalviCPMameliSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto8/27/19256/19/19271/20/1929Sunk3/31/1941
PlatinoPTPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)11/20/19406/1/194110/2/1941Removed from Service
PleiadiPLSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatSocieta Anonima Bacini e Scali Napoli, Napoli1/4/19379/5/19377/4/1938Sunk10/14/1941
PolaZaraCruiser – HeavyOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno3/17/193112/5/193112/21/1932Sunk3/28/1941
PollucePVSpica tipo AlcioneTorpedo BoatSocieta Anonima Bacini e Scali Napoli, Napoli2/13/193710/24/19378/8/1938Sunk9/4/1942
PomonaC 45GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/16/194211/18/19424/4/1943
Pompeo MagnoCapitani RomaniCruiser – LightOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno9/23/19398/24/19416/4/1943Removed from Service5/1/1950
PorfidoPOPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/9/19408/23/19411/24/1942Sunk12/6/1942
PremudaPremudaDestroyerYarrow, Glasgow
ProcellariaC 12GabbianoCorvetteSocieta Anonima Cantieri Cerusa, Genova-Voltri1/14/19429/4/194211/29/1942
ProcioneOrsa 1a SerieTorpedo BoatSocieta Anonima Bacini e Scali Napoli, Napoli2/15/19361/31/19373/30/1938Scuttled9/9/1943
ProvanaPRMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/3/19373/16/19387/25/1938Sunk6/17/1940
PugnaleArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/9/19438/1/19437/7/1944Captured9/9/1943
Quintino SellaSESellaDestroyerPattison, Napoli10/12/19224/25/19253/25/1926Sunk9/11/1943
R.D.12R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.13R.D.MinesweeperPoli, Chioggia
R.D.16R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.17R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.18R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.20R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.21R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.22R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.23R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.24R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.25R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.26R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.27R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.28R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.29R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.30R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.31R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.32R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.33R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.34R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.35R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.36R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.37R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.38R.D.MinesweeperArsenale Navale, Napoli
R.D.39R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.40R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.41R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.42R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.43R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.44R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R.D.55R.D.MinesweeperMigliardi, Savona
R.D.56R.D.MinesweeperMigliardi, Savona
R.D.57R.D.MinesweeperMigliardi, Savona
R.D.58R.D.58MinesweeperDanubius, Fiume
R.D.59R.D.58MinesweeperDanubius, Fiume
R.D.6R.D.MinesweeperNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
R.D.60R.D.58MinesweeperDanubius, Fiume
R.D.7R.D.MinesweeperTosi, Taranto
R10RSubmarine – TransportCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone2/24/19437/13/1943Stricken
R11RSubmarine – TransportCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/10/19437/6/1944Stricken
R12RSubmarine – TransportCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/13/19439/29/1944Stricken
R3RSubmarine – TransportTosi, Taranto3/1/19439/7/1946Stricken
R4RSubmarine – TransportTosi, Taranto3/1/19439/30/1946Stricken
R5RSubmarine – TransportTosi, Taranto3/25/1943Stricken
R6RSubmarine – TransportTosi, Taranto3/25/1943Stricken
R7RSubmarine – TransportCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/1/194310/31/1943Stricken
R8RSubmarine – TransportCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/1/194312/28/1943Stricken
R9RSubmarine – TransportCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone3/6/19432/27/1944Stricken
Raimondo MontecuccoliCondottieri tipo MontecuccoliCruiser – LightAnsaldo, Sestri Levante10/1/19318/2/19346/30/19356/1/1964
Reginaldo GiulianiCVCalviSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)7/20/19323/3/193510/16/1935Scuttled7/15/1942
RemoRERSubmarine – TransportTosi, Taranto7/21/19423/21/19436/19/1943Sunk7/15/1943
RennaC 24GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno5/31/194212/5/1942Captured9/9/1943
RigelArieteTorpedo BoatAnsaldo, Sestri Levante7/15/19425/22/19431/23/1944Captured9/9/1943
RomaLittorioBattleshipCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/18/19386/9/19406/14/1942Sunk9/9/1943
RomoloRORSubmarine – TransportTosi, Taranto4/5/19423/28/19436/19/1943Sunk7/18/1943
Rosolino PiloRosolino PiloDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente1/1/19131/1/19151/1/1915
RubinoRUSirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume9/26/19313/29/19333/21/1934Sunk6/29/1940
Ruggiero SettimoGNLiuzziSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto3/13/193912/3/19392/3/1940Captured9/8/1943
S 1SSubmarine – CoastalDanziger Werft Danzig (Germany)8/14/19423/11/19436/26/1943Captured
S 2SSubmarine – CoastalSchichau, Danzig (Germany)7/15/19427/4/1943Captured
S 3SSubmarine – CoastalSchichau, Danzig (Germany)8/19/19427/17/1943Captured
S 4SSubmarine – CoastalDanziger Werft Danzig (Germany)9/14/19427/14/1943Captured
S 5SSubmarine – CoastalSchichau, Danzig (Germany)8/20/19427/31/1943Captured
S 6SSubmarine – CoastalDanziger Werft Danzig (Germany)10/5/19424/22/19438/4/1943Captured
S 7SSubmarine – CoastalSchichau, Danzig (Germany)9/28/19423/30/19438/14/1943Captured
S 8SSubmarine – CoastalDanziger Werft Danzig (Germany)10/27/19428/25/1943Captured
S 9SSubmarine – CoastalSchichau, Danzig (Germany)9/29/19428/26/1943Captured
SaettaSADardo 1a SerieDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso5/27/19271/17/19325/10/1932Sunk2/3/1943
SagittarioSGSpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume11/14/19356/21/193610/8/1936
SalpaSAArgonautaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto4/23/19305/8/193212/12/1932Sunk6/27/1941
San GiorgioSan GiorgioObsolete ShipNavalmeccanica, Castellammare7/4/19077/27/19087/1/1910Scuttled
San MarcoSan GiorgioObsolete ShipNavalmeccanica, CastellammareCaptured9/9/1943
San MartinoPalestroDestroyerOrlando, Livorno
SantarosaSNBandieraSubmarine – Medium RangeOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)5/1/192810/22/19297/29/1930Scuttled1/20/1943
Santorre SantarosaSOSettembriniSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto4/16/19283/29/19314/25/1932Removed from Service9/9/1943
ScimitarraC 33GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia2/24/19429/16/19425/15/1943
Scipione AfricanoCapitani RomaniCruiser – LightOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno9/28/19391/12/19414/23/1943Removed from Service8/9/1948
ScirèSRAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)1/30/19371/6/19384/25/1938Sunk8/10/1942
SciroccoSCMaestraleDestroyerCantieri del Tirreno (C.T.), Genova-Riva Trigoso9/29/19314/22/193410/21/1934Wrecked3/23/1942
ScureC 62GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia10/20/1943
SebenicoSebenicoDestroyerLoires, Nantes (France)
SerpenteAUArgonautaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto4/23/19302/28/193211/12/1932Scuttled9/12/1943
SettembriniSTSettembriniSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto4/16/19287/28/19301/25/1932Sunk9/9/1943
SfingeC 47GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone6/20/19429/1/19435/12/1943
SibillaC 49GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone6/20/19423/10/19436/5/1943
Simone SchiaffinoRosolino PiloDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
SirenaSISirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/1/19311/26/193310/2/1933Scuttled9/9/1943
SirioSISpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume11/12/193411/16/19353/1/1936
SmeraldoSMSirenaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto5/25/19317/23/193311/29/1933Sunk9/15/1941
SolferinoPalestroDestroyerOrlando, Livorno
SoltaArbeMinelayerKraljevica, Jugoslavia
SpadaArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/9/19437/1/19432/12/1944Captured9/9/1943
SparideTritoneSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)4/25/19422/21/19438/7/1943Scuttled9/9/1943
SperiSPMameliSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto9/28/20255/25/19288/20/1929Stricken2/1/1942
SpicaSPSpicaTorpedo BoatSocieta Anonima Bacini e Scali Napoli, Napoli1/14/19421/30/19449/8/1944Captured9/9/1943
SpicaArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume1/14/19421/30/19449/8/1944Captured9/9/1943
SpigolaTritoneSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto6/10/1943Stricken
SpingardaC 36GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia3/14/19423/22/1943Captured9/11/1943
SquadristaSQSoldati 2a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno9/4/19419/12/1941Captured9/9/1943
SqualoSQSqualoSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/10/19281/15/193010/6/1930Removed from Service9/9/1943
StambeccoC 57GabbianoCorvetteOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno3/4/1943
Stefano TurrStefano TurrMotor Torpedo BoatC.M.A., Marina Pisa
Stella PolareArieteTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume4/1/19427/11/19431/15/1944Captured9/9/1943
StraleSTDardo 1a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente2/20/19293/26/19312/6/1932Wrecked6/21/1942
StrolagaC 53GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante3/15/1943Captured9/9/1943
TarantoTarantoObsolete ShipWilhelmshaven, (Germany)8/24/191110/9/1912Scuttled9/9/1943
TembienTEAduaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)2/6/19372/6/19387/1/1938Sunk8/2/1941
TersicoreC 69GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone4/15/1943
TifoneTFOrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone6/17/19413/31/19427/11/1942Captured5/7/1943
TigreTILeoneDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante1/23/19228/7/192410/10/1924Scuttled4/4/1941
TopazioTPSirenaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume9/26/19315/15/19334/1/1934Sunk9/12/1943
TorricelliTLBrinSubmarine – OceanicTosi, Taranto12/23/19373/26/19395/7/1939Sunk6/23/1940
TotiTOBalillaSubmarine – OceanicOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)1/26/20252/20/19279/20/1928Stricken4/2/1943
TrentoTrentoCruiser – HeavyOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno2/8/192510/4/19274/3/1929Sunk6/15/1942
TrichecoTRSqualoSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone11/10/19289/11/19306/23/1931Sunk3/18/1942
TriesteTrentoCruiser – HeavyStabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste6/22/192510/24/192612/21/1928Sunk4/10/1943
TrigliaTrigliaMinesweeperDeutsche Werft, Amburgo (Germany)
TritoneTNTritoneSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone5/15/19411/3/194210/10/1942Sunk1/19/1943
TuffettoC 51GabbianoCorvetteAnsaldo, Sestri Levante3/15/19438/25/19433/3/1944Captured9/9/1943
TurbineTBTurbineDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente3/24/19254/21/19278/27/1927Scuttled9/9/1943
TurcheseTCPerlaSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone9/27/19357/19/19369/21/1936Stricken9/9/1943
UarsciekURAduaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto12/2/19369/19/193712/4/1937Sunk12/15/1942
Uebi ScebeliUSAduaSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto1/12/193710/3/193712/21/1937Sunk6/29/1940
Ugliano (ex Marjan)ArbeMinelayerKraljevica, Jugoslavia
Ugolino VivaldiVINavigatoriDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente5/16/19271/9/19293/6/1930Sunk7/10/1943
UraganoUROrsa 2a SerieTorpedo BoatCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone6/14/19415/3/19429/26/1942Sunk2/3/1943
UraniaC 65GabbianoCorvetteCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/1/19424/21/19438/1/1943
VAS 201Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 202Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 203Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 204Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 205Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 206Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 207Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 208Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 209Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
VAS 210Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
VAS 211Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
VAS 212Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
VAS 213Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
VAS 214Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselPicchiotto, Limite d’Arno
VAS 215Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 216Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 217Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 218Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 219Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 220Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 221Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselSoriente, Salerno
VAS 222Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselSoriente, Salerno
VAS 223Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselSoriente, Salerno
VAS 224Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselSoriente, Salerno
VAS 225Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 226Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 227Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 228Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 229Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 230Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 231Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 232Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 233Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 234Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 235Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 236Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselBaglietto, Varazze
VAS 237Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCostaguta, Genova-Voltri
VAS 238Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCostaguta, Genova-Voltri
VAS 239Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 240Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 241Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 242Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselNavalmeccanica, Castellammare
VAS 243Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselSoriente, Salerno
VAS 244Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselSoriente, Salerno
VAS 245Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselSoriente, Salerno
VAS 246Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 247Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 248Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol VesselCelli, Venezia
VAS 301VAS 301Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 302VAS 301Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 303VAS 301Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 304VAS 301Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 305VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 306VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 307VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 308VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 309VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 310VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 311VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VAS 312VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol VesselAnsaldo, Cerusa Voltri
VedettaVedettaMinesweeperCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
VegaVGSpica tipo PerseoTorpedo BoatCantieri Navali del Quarnaro (C.N.Q.), Fiume11/14/19356/21/193610/12/1936Sunk1/10/1941
VelellaVLArgoSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone12/9/193512/18/19368/31/1937Sunk9/7/1943
VeliteVLSoldati 2a SerieDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno4/19/19418/31/19418/31/1942Transferred7/24/1948
VenieroVNMarcelloSubmarine – OceanicCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/23/19372/14/19386/5/1938Sunk6/7/1942
VespaC 26GabbianoCorvetteNavalmeccanica, Castellammare5/4/194211/22/19429/2/1943Captured9/11/1943
VesuvioEtnaCruiser – LightCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone8/26/19398/6/1941
Vettor PisaniPNPisaniSubmarine – Medium RangeCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone12/3/192511/24/19276/16/1929Removed from Service9/9/1943
VigilanteVedettaMinesweeperCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone
Vincenzo G. OrsiniSirtoriDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Genova-Sestri Ponente
Vincenzo GiobertiGBOrianiDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno1/2/19367/19/193610/27/1937Sunk8/9/1943
Vittorio AlfieriALOrianiDestroyerOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Livorno4/4/193612/20/193612/1/1937Sunk4/28/1941
Vittorio VenetoLittorioBattleshipCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone10/28/19347/25/19374/28/1940Removed from Service2/1/1948
VolframioVOPlatinoSubmarine – CoastalTosi, Taranto12/16/194011/9/19412/15/1942Scuttled9/9/1943
VorticeVRTritoneSubmarine – CoastalCantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Monfalcone1/3/19422/23/19436/21/1943Removed from Service9/9/1943
ZaffiroZASirenaSubmarine – CoastalOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)9/16/19316/28/19336/4/1934Sunk6/9/1942
ZagagliaC 64GabbianoCorvetteBreda, Venezia2/1/1944
ZaraZaraCruiser – HeavyOdero-Terni-Orlandi (O.T.O.), Muggiano (La Spezia)7/4/19294/27/193010/20/1931Sunk3/28/1941
ZeffiroZFTurbineDestroyerAnsaldo, Sestri Levante4/29/19245/27/19275/25/1928Sunk7/5/1940
ZoeaZEFocaSubmarine – Medium RangeTosi, Taranto3/3/193612/5/19372/12/1938Stricken9/9/1943

Vessels Specifications by Class

Select the + sign next to the class name to see the full specifications in a modal window.

ClassTypeDispl.Displ. SubLengthBeamDraftEnginePropHPHP Sec.SpeedSpeed Sec.FuelRangeArm. Prim.Arm. Sec.Arm. AAArm. Torp.Arm. MinesAirplanesArmor SideArmor DeckArmor TurretOfficersSailors
AbastroMinesweeper 515 59.40 7.30 2.10 2T2 1,600 14 130 2400@102×102/3538
AduaSubmarine – Coastal 697 856 60.18 6.45 4.79 2D 2E2 1,400 800 14 8 47 3180@10.5 74@41×100/472×13.26×533432
AmmiragliSubmarine – Oceanic 1,703 2,164 87.90 7.76 5.86 2D 2E2 4,600 1,800 17 8 19000@7.5 107@34×13.214×533771
Andrea BafineEscort Gunboat 275 51.00 5.80 1.70 2A2 3,000 22 47 1100@112X102/452X6.52X45029
AquilaAircraft Carrier 23,500 232.50 30.05 7.30 4T 8B2 151,000 30 3,660 5500@186×13510×65132×205170801071312
ArbeMinelayer 142 30.00 8.00 1.60 1T1 280 9 1×47/4430
ArchimedeSubmarine – Oceanic 985 1,259 70.50 6.87 4.12 2D 2E2 3,000 1,100 17 8 60 10300@8 105@32×100/472×13.28×533649
ArgoSubmarine – Coastal 794 1,018 63.15 6.93 4.46 2D 2E2 1,500 800 14 8 60 10176@8.5 100@31×100/472×13.26×533440
ArgonautaSubmarine – Coastal 667 810 61.50 5.65 4.64 2D 2E2 1,250 800 14 8 28 4900@9.5 110@31X102/352×13.26×533432
ArieteTorpedo Boat 1,127 83.50 8.60 3.10 2T 2B2 22,000 32 214 1500@162×100/4710×20/656×450150
Baglietto 12 tonMotor Torpedo Boat 13 16.00 2.66 1.10 2T 2E2 480 26 1 230@161×57/431×6.52×450108
Baglietto 1931Motor Torpedo Boat 16 16.00 3.95 1.30 2T2 1,500 41 1 100@402×6.52×4507
Baglietto 1934Motor Torpedo Boat 37 22.50 4.30 1.40 2T2 460 18 2 264@161×13.2119
Baglietto 68 ton 1a serieAnti Submarine Patrol Vessel 69 28.00 4.30 1.77 2T+1T3 1,500 21 9 300@192×20/651×6.52×53326
Baglietto 68 ton 2a serieAnti Submarine Patrol Vessel 69 28.00 4.30 1.77 2T+1T3 1,100 21 9 440@202×20/651×6.52×53326
BajamontiSubmarine – Coastal 665 822 66.50 5.40 3.90 2D 2E2 1,480 1,100 15 9 2100@14.5 5000@9 12@9 120@1.31×100/352×13.24×550339
BalillaSubmarine – Oceanic 1,405 1,904 86.75 7.80 4.78 2D 2E2 4,000 2,000 18 9 140 7050@8.5 110@31×120/274×13.26×533770
BandieraSubmarine – Medium Range 942 1,147 69.80 7.22 5.18 2D 2E2 3,000 1,300 18 9 45 4740@8.5 60@41×102/352×13.28×533547
BariObsolete Ship 4,390 135.30 13.60 5.30 2T2 28,000 28 250 4300@128×150/452×88/45120413
BolzanoCruiser – Heavy 13,885 196.96 20.60 6.80 4T 10B4 150,000 35 2,260 4432@168×203/5316×100/474×40/39 8×13.28×5333705010025698
BragadinSubmarine – Minelaying 981 1,167 68.00 7.20 4.32 2D 2E2 1,500 1,000 12 7 35 4180@6.5 86@2.21×102/352×13.24×53316550
BrinSubmarine – Oceanic 1,016 1,266 72.50 6.70 4.55 2D 2E2 3,000 1,100 17 8 61 9000@7.8 90@41×100/434×13.28×533747
C.R.D.A. 60 ton 1a SerieMotor Torpedo Boat 63 28.00 4.30 1.67 3T3 3,300 33 6 350@322×20/651×6.52×53319
C.R.D.A. 60 ton 2a SerieMotor Torpedo Boat 68 28.00 4.30 1.73 3T3 3,300 32 7 300@312×20/652×6.52×53319
CA ISubmarine – Midget 14 16 10.00 1.96 1.60 1D 1E1 60 25 6 5 1 700@4 57@32×45011
CA IISubmarine – Midget 13 14 10.47 1.90 1.83 1E1 21 7 6 70@28×10020x cimice12
CalviSubmarine – Oceanic 1,550 2,060 84.30 7.71 5.20 2D 2E2 4,400 1,800 17 8 75 11400@8 120@32×120/454×13.28×533765
CantoneDestroyer 890 73.20 7.30 3.00 2T 4B2 16,000 30 180 2000@143×102/454×6/20 2×4/84×450105
Capitani RomaniCruiser – Light 5,420 142.90 14.40 4.90 2T 4B2 110,000 40 1,400 4122@198×1358×37 8×13.28×53300018400
CarlottoRiver Gunboat 247 48.80 7.50 1.00 2C 2A 1,100 14 56 12502×76/4044
CavourBattleship 29,100 186.40 28.00 10.40 2T 8B2 75,000 27 2,472 3084@2010×320 (2×2+2×3)12×120 8×1008×37 20×2025080280361200
CBSubmarine – Coastal 36 45 15.00 3.00 2.10 1D 1E1 90 100 8 7 1400@5 50@32×45013
Comandanti Medaglia d’OroDestroyer 2,950 120.10 12.20 3.20 2T 3B2 60,000 35 740 330@206×135/4512×37/546×53352272
Condottieri tipo CadornaCruiser – Light 7,113 169.30 15.50 5.50 2T 6B2 95,000 37 1,230 3088@168×152/546×100/472×40/39 8×13.24×5332242040507
Condottieri tipo Di GiussanoCruiser – Light 6,954 169.03 15.50 5.30 2T 6B2 95,000 37 1,250 3800@188×152/526×100/478×37 8×13.24×533220242319488
Condottieri tipo Duca degli AbruzziCruiser – Light 11,760 187.00 18.90 6.80 2T 8B2 100,000 34 1,728 4125@12.710 x 152 mm (2×2+3×2)8×1008×37 8×13.26×533430+1004013529611
Condottieri tipo Duca di AostaCruiser – Light 10,843 186.90 17.50 6.50 2T 6B2 110,000 37 1,680 3900@148×152/536×100/478×37 12×13.26×533270359027551
Condottieri tipo MontecuccoliCruiser – Light 8,995 182.20 16.60 6.00 2T 6B2 106,000 37 1,300 4152@188×152/556×100/478×37 8×13.28×533270253027551
CurtatoneDestroyer 1,214 84.90 8.00 3.10 2T 4B2 22,000 32 200 1395@104×102/452×76/406×450108
D1Minesweeper 203 33.40 6.60 2.20 1D1 450 10 1×76/4018
D10Minesweeper 78 39.00 4.00 1.00 2A2 900 17 2×3716
Dardo 1a SerieDestroyer 1,860 96.20 9.70 4.30 2T 3B2 44,000 38 640 4600@124×120/502×40/394×13.26×53460156
Dardo 2a SerieDestroyer 1,920 96.10 9.30 4.50 2T 3B2 44,000 38 530 3600@124×120/502×40/394×13.26×53360156
DianaDestroyer
DR 117Submarine – Coastal 615 776 62.50 5.40 4.00 2D 1E 2E2 1,250 1,000 14 8 2000@10 75@51×75/352×13.27X550337
DuilioBattleship 28,700 186.90 28.00 10.40 2T 8B2 85,000 27 2,550 3390@2010×320 (2×2+2×3)12×135 10×9012×37 16×2025080280361400
EritreaCorvette
EsoMinesweeper
EtnaCruiser – Light
FasanaMinelayer 680 66.00 9.30 1.70 2D2 700 10 100 1200@101×76/4071
FieramoscaSubmarine – Oceanic 1,556 1,965 82.40 8.04 5.30 2D 2E2 5,500 2,000 18 9 145 5300@8 90@31×120/452×13.24×533771
FocaSubmarine – Medium Range 1,318 1,647 82.75 7.16 5.30 2D 2E2 3,000 1,300 16 8 63 7800@8 120@31×100/434×13.26×533753
FR 111Submarine – Medium Range 974 1,441 78.50 7.00 5.40 2D 2E2 2,900 1,800 16 9 7000@9 105@51×100/402×13.210X550450
FR 112Submarine – Medium Range 761 925 66.00 7.20 4.90 2D 2E2 2,600 2,000 12 9 2500@81×76/355×55032337
FR11Cruiser – Light
FR12Cruiser – Light
FR21Destroyer 3,600 130.20 11.80 4.80 2T 5B2 64,000 36 580 2800@155×138/404×37/54 2×20/652×550209
FR22Destroyer 3,050 126.80 11.30 5.30 2T 5B2 50,000 36 530 3500@13.54×130/402×37/54 10×20/653×550204
FR31Destroyer 2,040 105.80 9.60 4.20 2T 3B2 34,000 33 345 1500@154×130/403×37/54 10×20/653×550140
FR32Destroyer 2,417 117.20 11.10 4.20 2T 4B2 58,000 37 370 4000@156×130/502×37 4×13.27×550187
FR60Minelayer
FR70Minesweeper
FR71Minesweeper
FR73Minesweeper
FR74Minesweeper
FR75Minesweeper
FR76Minesweeper
FR77Minesweeper
FR79Minesweeper
GabbianoCorvette 740 64.40 8.70 2.80 2D 2E2 2,500 18 70 3450@101×1007×2025105
GalileiSubmarine – Medium Range 980 1,260 70.50 6.87 4.12 2D 2E2 3,000 1,100 17 8 60 10300@82X100/472×13.28X533
Giuseppe BiglieriMinesweeper
GlaucoSubmarine – Oceanic 1,055 1,325 73.00 7.20 5.30 2D 2E2 3,000 1,100 17 8 59 9760@8 110@32×100/472×13.28×533750
HollandSubmarine – Coastal 360 474 45.80 4.65 3.76 2D 2E2 490 600 12 11 18 3300@74X45027
La MasaDestroyer 875 73.50 7.30 3.00 2T 4B2 16,000 30 150 2230@134×102/452×76/304×45099
LeoneDestroyer 2,203 113.40 10.40 3.60 2T 4B2 42,000 32 506 2070@158×120/452×76/416×450204
LittorioBattleship 41,377 237.80 32.90 10.50 4T 8B4 140,000 30 4,000 4580@169×38112×152 12×9020×3733501003501201800
LiuzziSubmarine – Oceanic 1,166 1,484 76.10 6.98 4.55 2D 2E2 3,500 1,500 18 8 13000@8 108@44×13.28×533750
Lürssen “S 2”Motor Torpedo Boat 62 28.00 4.25 1.70 3T+1T3 2,850 33 6 265@332×20/651×6.52×53319
MaestraleDestroyer 2,235 104.70 10.30 4.10 2T 3B2 45,000 38 510 4000@124×120/502×40/396×13.26×533168
MameliSubmarine – Medium Range 830 1,010 64.60 6.52 4.33 2D 2E2 3,000 1,000 17 8 29 4360@8 110@31×102/352×13.26×533544
MarcelloSubmarine – Oceanic 1,060 1,313 73.00 7.20 5.10 2D 2E2 3,000 1,100 17 8 59 7500@9.4 120@32×100/474×13.28×533750
MarconiSubmarine – Oceanic 1,191 1,489 70.04 6.82 4.72 2D 2E2 3,600 1,500 18 8 10550@8 110@34×13.28×533750
MiccaSubmarine – Minelaying 1,567 1,967 90.30 7.70 5.30 2D 2E2 2,600 1,300 15 11 67 6400@9 60@42×120/454×13.22×13.220765
MirabelloDestroyer 2,040 103.70 9.70 3.60 2T 4B2 44,000 34 375 2800@128×102/452×76/404×450169
MiragliaSupport Ship 4,960 121.20 15.00 5.30 4T 8B4 12,000 21 650 4×102/35196
MS 51Motor Torpedo Boat
NavigatoriDestroyer 2,657 107.70 10.20 4.20 2T 4B2 50,000 38 630 3100@156×120/502×40/394×13.26×534173
OrianiDestroyer 2,320 105.70 4.30 2T 3B2 48,000 39 510 2190@184×120/502×37/548×20/656×533173
Orsa 1a SerieTorpedo Boat 1,600 89.30 9.70 3.10 2T 2B2 16,000 28 530 5100@142×100/474×13.24×450154
Orsa 2a SerieTorpedo Boat 1,695 87.70 9.90 3.80 2T 2B2 16,000 25 442 2800@143×100/478x/20/65-20/704×450177
OstiaMinelayer 842 62.50 8.70 2.50 2A2 1,500 15 120 2×102/351×76/402×4080
OstiaMine Layer 842 62.50 8.70 2.70 2C 2A 1,500 15 120 2×102/35; 1×76/402×4080
OsvetnikSubmarine – Coastal 630 809 66.50 5.40 3.80 2D 2E2 1,480 1,000 15 9 2x100mm1x40mm2×55043
PalestroDestroyer 1,180 80.40 8.00 3.10 2T 4B2 22,000 32 170 1970@154×102/452×76/404×450106
Pellegrino MatteucciMinesweeper
PerlaSubmarine – Coastal 697 856 60.18 6.45 4.70 2D 2E2 1,400 800 14 8 47 5200@8 74@41×100/472×13.26×533443
PisaniSubmarine – Medium Range 880 1,058 68.20 6.09 4.93 2D 2E2 3,000 1,100 17 9 38 4230@9.3 70@41×102/352×13.26×533544
PlatinoSubmarine – Coastal 712 865 60.18 6.47 4.84 2D 2E2 1,400 800 14 8 5000@8.5 80@31×100/472×13.26×533440
PremudaDestroyer 2,884 113.20 10.70 4.10 2T 3B2 48,000 37 543 4690@184×140/562×37/54 6×20/654×533204
RSubmarine – Transport 2,220 2,616 87.00 7.80 6.13 2D 2E2 2,600 900 14 6 12000@9 110@3.53×20756
R.D.Minesweeper 200 38.10 6.00 2.20 1A1 1,100 15 1×76/4021
R.D.58Minesweeper 130 59.40 7.30 2.10 2A2 1,600 14 130 2400@102×102/3538
Rosolino PiloDestroyer 806 73.00 7.30 2.70 2T2 16,000 30 130 2400@124×76/402×73/304×45069
SSubmarine – Coastal 999 1,050 66.50 6.20 4.74 2D 2E2 3,200 750 18 8 8500@10 130@21×88/451×37 2×205×53346
S.V.A.N velocissimo da 13 tonnellateMotor Torpedo Boat 14 16.00 3.25 1.32 3T3 1,500 40 1 127@362×6.52×45019
S.V.A.N velocissimo da 14 tonnellateMotor Torpedo Boat 15 16.00 3.25 1.25 3T3 1,500 40 1 124@362×82×450113
S.V.A.N velocissimo dieselMotor Torpedo Boat 19 17.50 3.56 1.25 2T2 1,500 40 2 100@402×82×450113
S1Motor Torpedo Boat
San GiorgioObsolete Ship
SauroDestroyer 1,580 90.70 9.20 3.70 2T 3B2 38,000 35 365 2600@144×120/452×40/396×533145
SebenicoDestroyer 1,655 96.40 9.30 3.40 2T 3B2 40,000 38 260 1200@164×120/464×40/39 8×20/656×550183
SellaDestroyer 1,480 84.90 8.60 3.60 2T 3B2 35,000 35 330 1800@143×120/452×40/394×533125
SelveMinesweeper
SettembriniSubmarine – Medium Range 954 1,153 69.11 6.69 4.45 2D 2E2 3,000 1,300 18 8 52 6200@7.3 100@31X102/364×13.28×533650
SirenaSubmarine – Coastal 679 842 60.18 6.45 4.60 2D 2E2 1,350 800 14 8 45 4880@8.5 72@41×100/472×13.26×533432
SirtoriDestroyer 865 73.50 7.30 2.90 2T 4B2 16,000 30 160 2100@146×102/352×40/394×45078
Soldati 1a SerieDestroyer 2,460 106.70 10.20 4.40 2T 3B2 50,000 37 525 220@204×120/508×20/656×53352187
Soldati 2a SerieDestroyer 2,475 106.70 10.20 4.40 2T 3B2 50,000 39 525 220@205×120/508×20/656×53352207
SparvieroAircraft CarrierD 19 6×1354×102
SpicaTorpedo Boat 901 80.30 8.20 2.80 2T 2B2 19,000 34 186 1728@163×100/474×40/39 4×13.24×45099
Spica tipo AlcioneTorpedo Boat 1,050 81.40 7.90 3.00 2T 2B2 19,000 34 215 1910@153×100/478×13.24×45099
Spica tipo ClimeneTorpedo Boat 1,010 81.40 8.20 3.00 2T 2B2 19,000 34 221 1960@153×100/478×13.24×45099
Spica tipo PerseoTorpedo Boat 1,020 81.90 8.20 3.00 2T 2B2 19,000 34 207 1892@153×100/478×13.24×45099
SqualoSubmarine – Medium Range 933 1,142 69.80 7.18 5.20 2D 2E2 3,000 1,301 15 8 45 5650@8 100@31×102/352×13.28×533547
Stefano TurrMotor Torpedo Boat
TarantoObsolete Ship 4,570 138.70 13.50 5.20 2T12B2 25,000 27 106 5820@127×150/452×88/45120461
Thornycroft 55Motor Torpedo Boat 15 18.30 3.40 1.15 2T+1T2 750 32 1 220@322×8.82×4507
Tipo Biglietto VelocissimoMotor Torpedo Boat 25 18.00 4.78 1.56 2T2 2,200 42 3 330@421×13.22×45011
Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a SerieMotor Torpedo Boat 22 17.00 4.40 1.25 2T2E2 1,500 44 3 400@423×13.22X45011
Tipo Velocissimo “500” 1a Serie SperimentaleMotor Torpedo Boat 19 20.50 3.50 1.25 2T2 2,000 40 2 230@392×4505
Tipo Velocissimo “500” 2a SerieMotor Torpedo Boat 26 18.70 4.70 1.43 2T2 2,000 44 4 360@441×13.22×45012
Tipo Velocissimo “500” 3a SerieMotor Torpedo Boat 28 18.70 4.60 1.47 2T2 2,300 43 4 350@421×20/652×45013
Tipo Velocissimo “500” 4a SerieMotor Torpedo Boat 29 18.70 4.70 1.50 2T2 2,300 43 4 350@421×20/652×45013
TrentoCruiser – Heavy 13,540 196.96 20.60 6.80 4T 12B4 150,000 35 2,250 4160@168×2036×1004×40 4×12.78×5333705010025698
TrigliaMinesweeper
TritoneSubmarine – Coastal 905 1,070 63.15 9.98 4.87 2D 2E2 2,400 800 16 8 5400@8 80@44×13.26×533544
TurbineDestroyer 1,715 93.20 9.20 3.90 2T 3B2 40,000 36 446 3200@144×120/453×40/396×534145
VAS 301Anti Submarine Patrol Vessel
VAS 305Anti Submarine Patrol Vessel
VedettaMinesweeper 70 26.10 4.40 1.30 2D2 400 12 1×76/233×13.221
ZaraCruiser – Heavy 14,530 182.80 20.60 7.20 2T 8B2 95,000 33 2,400 5361@168×2036×1004×40 8×12.78×5332707015031810

Battleships Littorio or Vittorio Veneto Class

Littorio (later Italia), Vittorio Veneto, Roma, Impero

The Littorio class, also known as the Vittorio Veneto class,[Note 1] was a class of battleship of the Regia Marina, the Italian navy. The class was composed of four ships: Littorio, Vittorio Veneto, Roma, and Impero. Only the first three ships of the class were completed, however. Built between 1934 and 1942, they were the most modern battleships used by Italy during World War II. The Littorio class ships were developed in response to the French Dunkerque-class battleships, and were armed with 381-millimeter (15.0 in) guns and had a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph). The design was considered by the Spanish Navy, but the outbreak of World War II interrupted construction plans.

The Littorio Class

The first two ships, Littorio and Vittorio Veneto, were operational by the early months of Italy’s participation in World War II. They formed the backbone of the Italian fleet, and conducted several sorties into the Mediterranean to intercept British convoys, though without any notable success. The two ships were repeatedly torpedoed throughout their careers: Littorio was hit by a torpedo during the attack on Taranto in November 1940 and again in June 1942 and Vittorio Veneto was torpedoed during the Battle of Cape Matapan in March 1941 and while escorting a convoy to North Africa in September 1941. Roma joined the fleet in June 1942, though all three ships remained inactive in La Spezia until June 1943, when all three were damaged in a series of Allied air attacks on the harbor.

Littorio

In September 1943, Italy capitulated and signed an Armistice with the Allies. Littorio was then renamed Italia. The three active battleships were transferred to Malta before they were to be interned in Alexandria. While en route to Malta, German bombers attacked the fleet with Fritz-X radio-guided bombs, damaging Italia and sinking Roma. Nevertheless, Italia and Vittorio Veneto reached Malta and were interned. The incomplete Impero was seized by the Germans after Italy withdrew from the war and used as a target, until she was sunk by American bombers in 1945. Italia and Vittorio Veneto were awarded to the United States and Britain, respectively, as war prizes. Italia, Vittorio Veneto, and Impero were broken up for scrap between 1947 and 1948.

Design

The Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 allotted Italy an additional 70,000 long tons (71,000 t) of total capital ship tonnage, which could be used in 1927–1929, while other powers were observing the “holiday” in battleship construction prescribed by the treaty.[1] France, which was given parity with Italy, also possessed 70,000 tons of capital ship tonnage. Both countries were put under significant pressure from the other signatories to use their allotted tonnage to build smaller battleships with reduced caliber main batteries. The first Italian design, prepared in 1928, called for a 23,000 long tons (23,000 t) ship armed with a main battery of six 381 mm (15.0 in) guns in twin turrets.[2] They opted for this design because this allowed three ships under the 70,000-ton limit.[3] Protection and radius of action were sacrificed for speed and heavy armament, though the Italians did not value range, as they operated primarily in the confined waters of the Mediterranean.[4]

The majestic Littorio Class

Later in 1928, the design staff prepared an alternative ship, with a displacement of 35,000 long tons (36,000 t), armed with 406 mm (16.0 in) guns and protected against guns of the same caliber. Funding was not allocated to begin construction, however, as the Italian Navy did not want to instigate an arms race with the French Navy. The London Naval Treaty of 1930 extended the building holiday to 1936, though Italy and France retained the right to build 70,000 tons of new capital ships. Both countries rejected British proposals to limit new battleship designs to 25,000 long tons (25,000 t) and 305 mm (12.0 in) guns. After 1930, the Italian Navy abandoned the smaller designs altogether. By 1932, Germany had begun to build the Deutschland class ships, armed with six 280 mm (11 in) guns, and France had in turn laid down the Dunkerque-class battleships to counter them. The French vessels were armed with eight 330 mm (13 in) guns. In late 1932, Italian constructors responded with a design similar to the Deutschland class, but armed with six 343 mm (13.5 in) guns in triple turrets on a 18,000 long tons (18,000 t) displacement.[5]

The 406 mm of the Vittorio Veneto

The Italian Navy decided that the smaller design was impractical, and that a larger design should be pursued. A 26,500 long tons (26,900 t) design was then prepared, which mounted eight 343 mm guns in twin turrets.[6] This was ultimately abandoned in favor of a 35,000 ton design to be armed with 406 mm guns.[7] The 406 mm gun was abandoned in favor of the 381 mm gun because there were no designs for the larger gun, which would delay construction. The 381 mm gun had been designed for the canceled Caracciolo class.[8] Ultimately, nine 381 mm guns in three triple turrets were adopted as the primary battery for the ships, on a displacement in excess of 40,000 long tons (41,000 t),[9] despite the fact that this violated the established naval treaties.[10]

General Characteristics

Line-drawing of the Littorio class

The ships of the class varied slightly in dimensions. Littorio and Vittorio Veneto were 224.05 meters (735.1 ft) long between perpendiculars and 237.76 m (780.1 ft) long overall, while Roma and Impero were 240.68 m (789.6 ft) long overall. All four ships had a draft of 9.6 m (31 ft) and a beam of 32.82 m (107.7 ft). Littorio displaced 40,724 metric tons (40,081 long tons; 44,891 short tons) as designed and 45,236 t (44,522 long tons; 49,864 short tons) at full load. Vittorio Veneto displaced 40,517 t (39,877 long tons; 44,662 short tons) and 45,029 t (44,318 long tons; 49,636 short tons), respectively. Roma‘s displacement increased slightly as compared to the other ships, to 40,992 t (40,345 long tons; 45,186 short tons) and 45,485 t (44,767 long tons; 50,139 short tons), respectively. As Impero was not completed, her final displacement is unknown.[11] As built, the ships were fitted with bulbous bows to increase their speed, but they were found to cause serious vibration, which forced a modification to the bow.[12]

Littorio and Vittorio Veneto had a standard crew of 80 officers and 1,750  enlisted men; while serving as a flagship, the crew was increased by a command staff of between 11 and 31 additional officers. The standard crew for Roma and Impero was increased by 100 enlisted men. Aircraft facilities were located on the quarterdeck, where it was initially planned to base six La Cierva autogyros. Instead, a single catapult was fitted.[13] The ships were equipped with three Ro.43 reconnaissance seaplanes or navalized Re.2000 fighters.[14] The Re.2000 fighter was a wheeled aircraft and had to land on an airfield.[13]

The ships’ propulsion system consisted of four Belluzo geared steam turbines powered by eight oil-fired Yarrow boilers. The engines were rated at 128,200 shaft horsepower (95,600 kW) and a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).[11] On sea trials, both Littorio and Vittorio Veneto exceeded the design specifications for their power plant. Littorio reached 137,649 shp (102,645 kW) and 31.3 kn (58.0 km/h; 36.0 mph), while Vittorio Veneto made 133,771 shp (99,753 kW) and 31.4 kn (58.2 km/h; 36.1 mph), both at light loadings. In service, however, the ships averaged 28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph).[12] Figures for Roma‘s speed trials have not been recorded.[13] The ships carried 4,140 t (4,070 long tons; 4,560 short tons) of fuel oil, which enabled a maximum range of 4,580 nautical miles (8,480 km; 5,270 mi) at a cruising speed of 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph).[9] At 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph), the ships’ range increased slightly to 4,700 nmi (8,700 km; 5,400 mi).[12] The entire machinery system accounted for about 5.6 percent of the total displacement.[13]Armament

Roma‘s forward triple 15-inch (381 mm) 50-caliber gun turrets.

The ships’ main battery consisted of nine 381 mm L/50 Ansaldo 1934 guns in three triple turrets, two in a superfiring pair forward and one aft.[9] These long-barrel, high-velocity guns were chosen to compensate for the smaller 381 mm shell as compared to the 406 mm gun originally desired.[11] The 381 mm guns had a maximum elevation of 35 degrees, which allowed them to engage targets out to 42,260 m (138,650 ft). The guns fired a 885 kg (1,950 lb) armor-piercing (AP) shell at a muzzle velocity of 870 meters per second (2,900 ft/s).[15] High explosive shells weighed 774 kg (1,710 lb). The high muzzle velocity of the guns reduced their service life and increased the dispersion of the fall of shot. Shell rooms were located below the propellant magazines beneath the gun house in the turret structure. The guns’ rate of fire was one shot every 45 seconds.[16][Note 2]

The ships’ secondary battery consisted of twelve 152 mm (6.0 in) L/55 Ansaldo Model 1934 guns in four triple turrets. Two were placed abreast the No. 2 main battery turret and two on either side of the rear turret.[11] These guns fired a 50 kg (110 lb) AP shell at a muzzle velocity of 910 m/s (3,000 ft/s). They could elevate to 45 degrees, permitting a maximum range of 25,740 m (84,450 ft).[20] They had a rate of fire of slightly better than four rounds a minute.[21] Four 120 mm (4.7 in) L/40 guns supplemented the 152 mm guns. The ships’ anti-aircraft armament was composed of a powerful battery of twelve 90 mm (3.5 in) L/50 guns closely arranged amidships, twenty 37 mm (1.5 in) L/54 guns, and sixteen 20 mm (0.79 in) L/65 guns.[11] The 90 mm guns provided long-range anti-aircraft protection, and were mounted in quadriaxially stabilized single turrets. They had a rate of fire of 12 rounds per minute and had a ceiling of approximately 10,800 m (35,400 ft).[22] The 37 mm and 20 mm guns were designed for close-range defense and had effective ranges of 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and 2,500 m (8,200 ft), respectively.[23]

Armor

Note the extent of the armored belt at the waterline, amidships

The ships’ belt armor was designed to defeat 380 mm shells at ranges over 16,000 m (52,000 ft), and was inclined at 11 degrees. The belt was layered as follows: a 70 mm (2.8 in) hardened steel belt was used to de-cap armor-piercing projectiles. A 250 mm (9.8 in) wide gap separated the outer layer from the main belt armor, which was 280 mm (11 in) thick and was backed with 50 mm (2.0 in) of timber and 25 mm (0.98 in) skin plating. Another 140 mm (5.5 in) wide gap separated the main belt from a 36 mm (1.4 in) thick splinter screen. Another 25 mm thick screen was placed further inboard. The main section of the belt armor was closed on either end by 70 mm (2.8 in) thick transverse bulkheads. The bow was protected by a 60 mm (2.4 in) thick belt, while the stern was given 125 mm (4.9 in) of armor protection.[12]

Horizontal protection over the magazine consisted of a 162 mm (6.4 in) thick armored deck. Over the machinery spaces, the deck was reduced in thickness to 110 mm (4.3 in), and on the outboard portions of the ships, the deck was reduced further to 90 mm (3.5 in). The aft steering rooms and auxiliary machinery spaces were protected by a 105 mm (4.1 in) thick deck. The main conning tower was protected by 50–130 mm thick side armor.[12]

Above the deck, the main battery barbettes that housed the turret assemblies for the 381 mm guns were protected with 350 mm (14 in) thick armor, while below deck the thickness was reduced to 280 mm. The faces of the main battery turrets were 350 mm thick, with 200 mm (7.9 in) thick sides and roofs. The secondary gun turrets were housed in barbettes 150 mm (5.9 in) thick above deck and 100 mm (3.9 in) thick below deck. The turret faces were 350 mm thick, with 75 to 130 mm (3.0 to 5.1 in) thick sides and 150 mm thick roofs.[12] Below the third deck, neither the primary nor secondary barbettes were protected by armor.[24] The anti-aircraft guns were protected with gun shields ranging in thickness from 12 mm (0.47 in) to 40 mm (1.6 in).[25]

Pugliese Torpedo Defense System

All four ships incorporated a unique underwater protection system named after its designer, Umberto Pugliese. A 40 mm thick torpedo bulkhead extended inboard from the base of the main belt before curving down to meet the bottom of the hull. This formed a void which housed an empty drum 380 mm (15 in) wide with 6 mm (0.24 in) thick walls; the rest of the void was filled with liquid. The drum ran the length of the torpedo defense system, and was designed to collapse to contain the explosive pressure of a torpedo hit. The torpedo bulkhead would prevent any splinters or explosive effects from entering the ships’ vitals. The system was designed to protect the ship from torpedo warheads up to 350 kg (770 lb).[12]

The system did not perform as effectively as expected, however.[12] This was due to two major defects in the design. The riveted joint that connected the interior torpedo bulkhead to the bottom of the hull was not strong enough to sustain the tremendous shear loadings associated with a direct contact explosions. The joints failed even in cases of non-contact explosions; this prevented the hollow drum from collapsing as designed and resulted in massive flooding. The fineness of the hull shape prevented the 380 mm thickness from being maintained for the entire central citadel; the width of the drum was reduced significantly abreast of the main battery, down to 228 mm (9.0 in). The ability of the drum to absorb explosive shock correspondingly fell in relation to its size.[26]

Construction

Littorio before completion; note the secondary battery and other equipment have not been installed

The keels for Vittorio Veneto and Littorio were laid on the same day, 28 October 1934, at the Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico shipyard in Trieste and the Ansaldo shipyard in Genoa, respectively. Vittorio Veneto was launched on 22 July 1937, with Littorio following exactly one month later on 22 August.[9] While incomplete, Vittorio Veneto went to sea on 23 October 1939 to conduct machinery trials. She was delivered to the Italian Navy in Trieste, still incomplete, some six months later on 28 April 1940. She departed Trieste on 1 May for final fitting out at the dockyard in La Spezia. After completion on 15 May 1940, she went to Taranto to join the fleet. Littorio underwent the same pattern of machinery trials prior to completion;[27] she was delivered to the fleet on 6 May 1940.[9]

Two additional ships were laid down four years later. Roma was built by the CRDA shipyard, starting on 18 September 1938. She was launched on 9 June 1940 and was completed on 14 June 1942,[9] after which she joined the fleet in La Spezia and replaced Littorio as the fleet flagship.[28] Impero was laid down at the Ansaldo shipyard on 14 May 1938. She was launched on 15 November 1939, but she was never completed.[9] After the entrance of Italy to World War II, the Italian Navy moved the unfinished ship from Genoa to Brindisi, out of fears of French attacks on the vessel. Work was not resumed.[28]

Service History

Vittorio Veneto at the Battle of Cape Spartivento

Littorio and Vittorio Veneto were declared operational on 2 August 1940, and were assigned to the 9th Division of the 1st Squadron. On 31 August, the two ships, along with three of the older battleships steamed with a force of ten cruisers and thirty-one destroyers to engage the Operation Hats convoy, but poor reconnaissance prevented the Italian force from engaging the British ships.[27] The ships made another unsuccessful sortie to attack another Malta convoy on 29 September.[29] During the attack on Taranto on 12 November 1940, Littorio was hit twice by torpedos, suffering serious damage. Significant flooding caused the ship to settle by the bow. The ship was dry-docked on 11 December, with repairs completed by 11 March 1941.[30] Vittorio Veneto, however, emerged from the attack undamaged. While her sister was being repaired, she took over flagship duties and was transferred to Naples.[27]

Vittorio Veneto sortied on 26 November and encountered British forces south of Sardinia. During the resulting Battle of Cape Spartivento, Swordfish torpedo bombers from the carrier HMS Ark Royal attacked Vittorio Veneto, though she successfully evaded the torpedoes. She briefly engaged British cruisers with her rear main battery turret, without scoring any hits. During the engagement, one of her Ro.43 reconnaissance planes was shot down by a Skua fighter.[27] On the night of 8–9 January 1941, the Royal Air Force attacked Naples with heavy bombers, but failed to hit the ship.[31] In February, Vittorio Veneto, Andrea Doria and Giulio Cesare attempted to attack what was believed to be a Malta convoy. The British squadron was in fact Force H, steaming to bombard Genoa. The two fleets did not make contact, however, and the Italians returned to port.[32]

On 26 March 1941, Vittorio Veneto departed port to attack British convoys to Greece.[33] Germany pressured the Italian Navy to begin the operation, under the impression that they had disabled two of the three battleships assigned to the British Mediterranean Fleet.[34][Note 3] This resulted in the Battle of Cape Matapan the following day, during which Vittorio Veneto engaged British cruisers. She was then attacked by torpedo bombers from HMS Formidable; the first wave failed, but the second scored a single hit on both Vittorio Veneto and the heavy cruiser Pola. The battleship was flooded with some 4,000 t (3,900 long tons; 4,400 short tons) of water, though she got underway after ten minutes and eventually reached Taranto on 29 March. Repairs lasted until July.[32]

Littorio and Vittorio Veneto had both returned to active duty by August 1941, and on the 22nd the two ships sortied to attack a convoy. They returned to port without encountering any British forces, however. On 26 September, the two battleships attempted to intercept the Operation Halberd convoy, but they broke off the operation without attacking the convoy. While escorting a convoy to North Africa, Vittorio Veneto was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Urge; repairs lasted until Spring, 1942.[36] Shortly thereafter, on 13 December, Littorio escorted another convoy to North Africa. This operation resulted in the First Battle of Sirte, which ended inconclusively. She provided distant cover to another convoy on 3–6 January 1942. On 21 March, she sortied to attack a British convoy, which led to the Second Battle of Sirte. During the engagement, she badly damaged the destroyers Havock and Kingston.[30]

Vittorio Veneto

Repairs to Vittorio Veneto were completed in time for her to join Littorio on attacks on the convoys Vigorous and Harpoon, which had departed Alexandria and Gibraltar to reinforce Malta simultaneously in mid-June. Combat was limited to the opposing light forces, and Littorio and Vittorio Veneto did not see action. While returning to port, Littorio was hit by a bomb from an American B-24 Liberator heavy bomber; the bomb struck the forward gun turret, though it did minimal damage.[37] Before returning to port, a British Wellington bomber torpedoed the ship. The torpedo struck her starboard bow, though she successfully returned to port. Repairs were completed and on 12 December, both ships were moved from Taranto to La Spezia in response to the Allied landings in North Africa.[38] Roma joined the fleet shortly after the attacks on the two convoys, and joined her sisters for the move to La Spezia. There, she replaced Littorio as the fleet flagship.[28]

In June 1943, a series of Allied air raids attacked La Spezia in an attempt to neutralize the three battleships. On 5 June, she was hit by two large bombs that struck her port side. She was transferred to Genoa for repairs, which were not completed before the Armistice that ended Italian participation in the war.[30] Littorio was hit by three bombs on 19 June, a week after her sister was damaged. She was renamed Italia after Benito Mussolini‘s regime collapsed.[38] Roma was damaged during the 5 June attack and again in a third attack on 23 June.[28] In September 1943, following the withdrawal of Italy from the war, all three ships and a significant portion of the Italian fleet left port to be interned in Malta. While en route, German bombers laden with Fritz-X radio-guided bombs attacked the formation. One hit Italia in the bow forward the main battery turrets, causing serious damage. Two hit Roma; one passed through the ship and exploded under her keel, and the second hit near the forward magazines. The bomb detonated the magazines, causing a massive explosion that destroyed the ship with heavy casualties.[39]

The Littorio, renamed Italia, at the Bitter Lakes

Italia and Vittorio Veneto successfully reached Malta, where they remained until 14 September, when they were transferred to Alexandria. They remained at the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal for the rest of the war. On 6 June 1946, Vittorio Veneto steamed to Augusta in Sicily, where, under the Treaty of Peace with Italy, she was allocated to Britain. On 14 October 1946, she was moved to La Spezia, paid off on 3 January 1948, and broken up for scrap. Italia left Great Bitter Lake on 5 February 1947, to join her sister in Augusta. Allocated to the United States, she was stricken on 1 June 1948 and scrapped in La Spezia. The incomplete Impero had meanwhile been seized by the retreating Germans in 1943, who used her as a target, until she was sunk by American bombers on 20 February 1945. In October 1947, the ship was raised and towed to Venice, where she was broken up.[40]

The Littorio Class in Foreign Service

In 1939, Spain’s General Francisco Franco briefly considered a naval building program after seizing power in the Spanish Civil War. Franco concluded several agreements with the Italian government that would have seen the building of four Littorio class battleships in Spain. The Italians promised to provide all necessary technical and material support for the construction of the ships. The Italian Navy pushed to modernize and enlarge the existing shipyards in Spain, so that they could handle a vessel as large as the Littorio class.[41] The project was abandoned after Italy became involved in World War II, and as a result of limited Spanish industrial capacity.[42]

In the early 1930s, the Soviet Navy began a naval construction program, and sought advice from foreign shipbuilders for a new class of battleships. On 14 July 1939, Ansaldo completed a design proposal for the Soviet Navy, for a ship largely based on the Littorio class, designated U.P. 41. The design was for a 42,000 t (41,000 long tons; 46,000 short tons) ship armed with nine 406 mm guns in triple turrets. The Italians did not disclose the specifications of the Pugliese system and instead used a multiple-torpedo bulkhead system. Regardless, the Soviet Navy did not use the U.P. 41 design as the basis for the Sovetsky Soyuz-class battleships they laid down in the late 1930s.[43] They were, however, equipped with the Pugliese system, the details of which were revealed through Soviet espionage.[44]

Battleships Conte di Cavour Class

Conte di Cavour and Caio Giulio Cesare

During the last world conflict, the Italian Navy utilized three distinct class of battleships, two of which were modernized vessels dating back to World War I (Conte di Cavour and Duilio Class) and one of new construction (Vittorio Veneto or Littorio Class). The Cavour Class dated back to 1909 when, by royal decree, Italy ordered the construction of three battleships: Conte di Cavour, Caio Giulio Cesare and Leonardo da Vinci.  The three battleships were delivered to the Navy in 1914 (the Cavour was actually completed in 1915).  This article will focus on the modernization of the original design performed in the 30’s because , besides retaining the original hull, the ships should be considered mostly completely new.

The Conte di Cavour before the modernization

Victorious after the epic but bloody battles of World War I, Italy’s economy entered a period a deep recession and eventually depression similar to many western countries. The enormous financial expenditures of the conflict, and the heavy reliance on foreign imports, had left Italy nearly bankrupt.   During this period, Italy retained the Cavour, Cesare and the two battleships of the other class, Doria and Duilio in the naval reserve.  The Leonardo da Vinci had been lost due to Austrian sabotage.

With foreign powers building new battleships – Germany with the Deutschland (technically a pocket battleship) and France with the Dunkerque  (technically a battle cruiser) –  it was strategically and military impelling for the Italian Navy to respond with similar vessel to provide for a balance of power. Construction of new units was at this point financially prohibitive, thus a study was initiated to modernized the existing battleships. In spring 1933, Admiral (E) Francesco Rotundi [i] and the ‘Comitato Progetti Navi’, the bureau in charge of naval constructions, began a project to transform the Cesare and Cavour  assigning the contract to Cantieri del Tirreno in Genoa (Cesare) and C.R.D.A.  in Trieste (Cavour). Over a period of four years, more than 60% of each vessel was completely replaced.  The end result was more powerful armaments, higher speed, increased protection, and a radically new, and more elegant silhouette.

The Hull

With the original hull completely emptied – only the external hull was left untouched – the inside was fully redesign to give room to decompression cylinders of the Pugliese type. These devices were particularly designed to absorb the impact of underwater explosions by providing a protected expansion chamber. Technically, the two options available were to either build anti torpedo protections external to the hull, similarly to the Barham, or internally as it was decided. The design  chosen provided for a better shaped hull, thus retaining speed which, at the time, was considered a critical advantage over foreign units.

The original Pugliese cylinders tested on the ships Brennero and Tarvisio had to be reduced in size, and thus effectiveness, due to the limited space available.  At the same time, a double hull bottom and lateral compartments were greatly improved, even though they were not able to save the Cavour from the sinking in shallow waters of December 11th, 1940 in Taranto due to the unusual location on the explosion directly under the hull.  In that case, the explosion wave, reflected by the bottom of the harbor, magnified the devastating effects causing massive structural damage. To reduce costs and construction time, the old style bow  was left in place and a new, modern shaped one fitted on top of it.   Astern,  two of the four axels were removed,   but the overall shape was left untouched. 

The belt armor was left at 250 mm, but the base of the turrets (barbettes) received an additional 50 mm of de-capping plates.  The new control and command tower was protected by 260 mm of steel, while the deck, originally protected only by two layers of 12 mm,  received an additional 80 mm of protection.

Decks

The decks were named:

Ponte di Coperta (Upper deck)
Primo Corridoio (First Desk)
Second Corridoio (Second Deck)
Copertino Superiore (Upper  Deck)
Copertino Inferiore (Lower Deck)
Piano di Stiva (Hold)

Engine

The power plant was completely replaced removing the old 4-propellers, 3-turbines, 12-boilers systems producing 31,000 HP, with a modern 2-propeller,  2-turbines, 8-boilers system producing 75,000 HP. The boilers were of the Yarrow type and equally distributed between seaside and portside. The 22 kg/cm2 steam powered the Belluzzo system which incorporated a high pressure and two low pressure turbines.

The power plants were offset, one forward and one aft, and could receive steam from any of the boiler systems.  Prove of the reliability of this system was given during the Battle of Punta Stilo (Action of Calabria) when the Cesare, hit by a British 381 mm projectile, was left with only four functioning boilers, but was able to operate, even though at a lesser speed, on both power plants.

At the sea trials, the power plants were discovered to have much more power than the originally contracted values propelling the units to the becoming the faster battleships of the time.

Electricity

With the introduction of several new electrical instruments, the electrical system was redesign and the old steam dynamos replaced by more powerful power generating units operating both off the main boilers’ steam and also on diesel fuel. The diesel units guaranteed powered even in case on a complete failure of the boiler system.  Both vessels were equipped with two redundant gyrocompass of the latest generation with 12 repeaters each.  There were both protected and unprotected radio shacks and four 120 mm Galileo projectors.  These battleships were never equipped with radar equipment, even though there was a study conducted in 1943 to equip the Cavour with a German or Italian apparatus.

Armament

The most creative part of the modernization process took place around the main artillery.  The original Armstrong Vickers [ii] 305 mm guns were considered grossly inferior to what other navies were utilizing, but the cost for total replacement was prohibitive.  The original guns, which were made of an outer shell, coiled steel cables and an inner shell, or riffled tube, were disassembled. The coil was reduced in thickness by Ansaldo in La Spezia and the inner tube replaced with one of greater caliber bringing the guns up to 320 mm (12.6 “).  This new gun was designated as the Ansaldo 320 mm/44 1934. This technically challenging alteration resulted very successful as the lateral resistance of the gun barrel, while weakened, was not compromised. Furthermore, the elimination of the fifth turret, located amidships, gave extra material for the alteration.  At the end, the battleships were left with 10 guns each, three on the lower gun turrets and two on the upper ones, five aft and five forward.  

320 mm guns

The 320 mm guns had a maximum elevation of 27˚ and a maximum depression of -5 ˚and a range of 28,600 meters. The projective weighted 525 Kg. and had a speed of 830 m/sec (meters per second) at the muzzle. The rate of fire was 2 rounds per minute.  The length of the barrel was  48.8 calibers or 15.616 meters. Each gun weighted 64 metric tons.

The medium caliber 120 mm guns were completely eliminated as well as the 76/50 mm and the 76/40 mm. The medium caliber were replaced with twelve 120/50 mm disposed in six dual turrets. These were naval guns with a very limited elevation and primarily used for defense against torpedo boats.  The limitation of these guns became apparent only during the conflict when the primary foe was enemy aircrafts rather than light ships.  These guns had a weight of 2 metric tons with the projectile weighing 15 kg. The muzzle velocity was 850 m/sec with a rate of fire of 9 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 15,240 meters.

Cavour 120/50 mm disposed in a dual turrets

Antiaircraft protection was provided by eight 100/46 mm OTO 1928 guns disposed in four dual positions. There were also twelve 37/54 mm anti aircrafts guns also in dual positions and augmented by twelve 13.2 mm antiaircraft guns.  In 1940 the smaller guns were found highly limited and replaced by Breda 20/65 mm.  During the conflict, in 1941, the Cesare received additional antiaircraft protection bringing the total number of the Breda 20/65 mm to sixteen.

Ammunitions

All ammunitions were kept in four distinct magazines located under the armor deck and near the turrets.  The magazines could be easily flooded and were accessible to the outside via a modern system of rolling doors.  The standard ordnance included 800 shells for the 320 mm guns, 2,900 shells for the 120/50 mm, and 2,460 for the 100/47 mm.

The transfer of the large projectiles from the magazine to the guns was complex and very secure. Projectiles were picked up via electric winches and deposited on a loading dock. Subsequently, four begs containing the charges were added and the full charge elevated to the guns. The charges were introduced into the guns, after the projectile, two each time.  The whole system was automated, excluding the initial handling of the powder bags.

The smaller guns did not have this complex but efficient system, but were rather loaded by hand.  Each gun had a small reserve of about 24 projectiles.  Antiaircraft guns were provided with protected cases containing up to 18,000 rounds.

Firing Control

The firing control mechanisms and apparatus was completely replaced and substituted with  modern equipment which proved itself up to the task for the duration of the conflict. The main telemetry system was housed in a movable compartment located 23 meters above the waterline and positioned above the main control tower. Due to its unusual shape, it was quickly nicknamed the ‘Carabiniere’s Hat’.  There were two telemetry systems  each 7.20 meters wide. 

The so-called ‘carabiniere’ hat

The telemetry station was connected to the firing station which could control all guns automatically and fire them at once. In case of failure of the automated system, there was a  failover station incorporated in gun number 2 (forward) and a 9 meters wide telemeter. Smaller guns and antiaircraft guns had their own independent aiming and fire control mechanisms.

Aircraft

Originally, the class was equipped with two catapults, but the four RO 43 on board turned out to be more of a nuisance to general operations than a valid scouting tool, and thus they were disembarked.  This lack of aerial reconnaissance never impacted these battleships, but it was an overall weakness of the fleet at sea.

Paint

Like all other vessels in the navy since 1929, the Cavour Class battleships were painted light gray. During the conflict, after study conducted on methods to make the enemy’s telemetry more difficult to focused, and based on a design by the well-known painter Claudius, the ships received a mimetic paint schema. The original schema (1941) was later altered and the colors reduced from three to two (light and dark gray).

Specifications

The Cavour class had a nominal displacement of 28,800 tons (29,032 metric) with a length of 186.4 meters, a width of 28.028 and a draft of 10.4 meters.  Armor represented 33.9% of normal displacement. The nominal power of 75,000 HP was calculated to be during trials as high as 93,000 HP. The maximum speed during these trial was 28.2 knots (28 on the Cavour)  with propellers rotating at 237 rpm on the Cavour and 241 rpm on the Cesare.  At the time of trials, this class resulted the fastest in the world. Maximum speed at sea was about 27 knots, but the machinery could be stressed up to 28 knots.  The ships had a range of 6,400 miles at 13 knots, 3,084 at 20 knots and 1,700 at 24 knots. The bunkers could hold up to 2,472 tons of fuel.

The crew consisted of 36 officers and 1,200 between petty officers and sailors.

Conclusions

A debate over the option to modernizing these two ships versus building a new one – as it later happened with the Vittorio Veneto Class – still rages.  The limitation of the Cavour Class compared to the more powerful British battleships was quite evident during the Battle of Punta Stilo (Action of Calabria) were the Italian 320 mm could not compete against the British 381 mm. Still, the Cesare withstood a full hit without losing its fighting power.  Eventually, only the Vittorio Veneto (LIttorio) Class battleships represented a serious threat to the British Navy.  Thus, one has to conclude that building a single, more powerful battleship would have been preferable, but considering the technological  innovation, the ingenuity and the results achieved, much credit has to be given to the Italian naval engineers who collaborated on this project.   Let’s not forget that the Cesare, after the conflict, was ceded to the Soviet Unions as part of the Italian war restitution plan and that, renamed Novorossiysk, served until 1955 when it was lost due to an explosion in shallow waters.  This longevity  gives credit to its design and construction.

Credits:

Franco Bargono, Franco Gray  – Edizioni Bizzarri – 1972

‘LE NAVI DI LINEA ITALIANE’ Giorgio Giorgerini and Augusto Nani, USMM  – 1962


[i] Rotundi (Foggia, 10 July 1885 – Rome, 25 October 1945)  is universally known for having designed the Italian training ship Amerigo Vespucci.

[ii] Armstrong Vickers 12” 1909. There are some references to some of the guns being produced by Elswick and designated Pattern “T”. Both utilized Welin breech-blocks.

Battleships Class Caio Duilio

Caio Duilio and Andrea Doria

During the last world conflict, the Italian Navy utilized three distinct class of battleships, two of which were modernized vessels dating back to World War I (Conte di Cavour and Duilio Class) and one of new construction (Vittorio Veneto or Littorio Class). The Duilio Class dated back to 1909 when, by royal decree, Italy ordered the construction of two additional battleships, the Caio Duilio and Andrea Doria to the ones already under construction  (Conte di Cavour, Caio Giulio Cesare and Leonardo da Vinci).  The two battleships were delivered to the Navy in 1915 (the Doria was actually completed in 1916).  This article will focus on the modernization of the original design performed in the 30’s because , besides retaining the original hull, the ships should be considered mostly completely new.

Caio Duilio before the modernization

Victorious after the epic but bloody battles of World War I, Italy’s economy entered a period a deep recession and eventually depression similar to many western countries. The enormous financial expenditures of the conflict, and the heavy reliance on foreign imports, had left Italy nearly bankrupt.   During this period, Italy retained the , Doria and Duilio and the two battleships of the other class Cavour, Cesare in the naval reserve.  The Leonardo da Vinci had been lost due to Austrian sabotage.

With foreign powers building new battleships – Germany with the Deutschland (technically a pocket battleship) and France with the Dunkerque  (technically a battle cruiser) –  it was strategically and military impelling for the Italian Navy to respond with similar vessel to provide for a balance of power. Construction of new units was at this point financially prohibitive, thus a study was initiated to modernized the existing battleships. In 1937, Admiral (E) Francesco Rotundi [i] and the ‘Comitato Progetti Navi’, the bureau in charge of naval constructions, began a project to transform the Duiilio and Doria based on the experience acquired during the modernization of the Cesare and Cavour. Furthermore, at the same time Italy had begun constructing two new battleships (Vittorio Veneto or Littorio Class) and some the experience from this new design would be incorporated in the modernized units. Contracts were assigned to the Cantieri del Tirreno in Genoa (Duilio) and C.R.D.A.  in Trieste (Doria). Over a period of three years, more than 60% of each vessel was completely replaced.  The end result was more powerful armaments, higher speed, increased protection, and a radically new, and more elegant silhouette.  Work on these units required less time that the previous ones thanks to the experience already acquired.

The Hull

With the original hull completely emptied – only the external hull was left untouched – the inside was fully redesign to give room to decompression cylinders of the Pugliese type. These devices were particularly designed to absorb the impact of underwater explosions by providing a protected expansion chamber. Technically, the two options available were to either build anti torpedo protections external to the hull, similarly to the Barham, or internally as it was decided. The design  chosen provided for a better shaped hull, thus retaining speed which, at the time, was considered a critical advantage over foreign units.

The original Pugliese cylinders tested on the ships Brennero and Tarvisio had to be reduced in size, and thus effectiveness, due to the limited space available.  At the same time, a double hull bottom and lateral compartments were greatly improved, even though they were not able to save the Duilio from serious damages in the on December 11th, 1940 in Taranto due to the unusual location on the explosion directly under the hull.  Since the ship was close to shore, quick action saved her by having it lay on shallow waters near the shore. In that case, as it had happened to  the Cavour, the explosion wave, reflected by the bottom of the harbor, magnified the devastating effects causing serious damage. To improve the overall shape of the hull,  old style bow was removed and a new, modern shaped one fitted instead.   This new design extended the length of the ship by about 10 meters. Astern,  two of the four axels were removed,   but the overall shape was left untouched, including the rudders. 

The belt armor was left at 250 mm, but the base of the turrets (barbettes) received an additional 50 mm of armor.  The difference from the previous class was that this belt was attached to the old one rather than being placed at a certain distance. The new control and command tower was protected by 260 mm of steel, while the deck, originally protected only by two layers of 12 mm,  received an additional 80 mm of protection.

Decks

The decks were named:

Ponte di Coperta (Upper deck)
Primo Corridoio (First Desk)
Second Corridoio (Second Deck)
Copertino Superiore (Upper  Deck)
Copertino Inferiore Lower Deck)
Piano di Stiva (Hold)

Engine

The power plant was completely replaced removing the old 4-propellers, 3-turbines, 12-boilers systems producing 32,000 HP, with a modern 2-propeller,  2-turbines, 8-boilers system producing 75,000 HP. The boilers were of the Yarrow type and equally distributed between seaside and portside. The 22 kg/cm2 steam powered the Belluzzo system which incorporated a high pressure and two low pressure turbines.

The power plants were offset, one forward and one aft, and could receive steam from any of the boiler systems.   The funnel were placed closer to each other, thus making this class easily distinguishable from the Cavour and, at a distance, more similar to the new Littorio Class.  At the sea trials, the power plants were discovered to have much more power than the originally contracted values, still this class resulted at least 1 knot slower than the Cavour.

Electricity

With the introduction of several new electrical instruments, the electrical system was redesign and the old steam dynamos replaced by more powerful power generating units operating both off the main boilers’ steam and also on diesel fuel. The diesel units guaranteed powered even in case on a complete failure of the boiler system.  Both vessels were equipped with two redundant gyrocompass of the latest generation with 12 repeaters each.  There were both protected and unprotected radio shacks and four 120 mm Galileo projectors.  During the conflict, these battleships were never equipped with radar equipment , even though there was a study conducted in 1943 to equip the Duilio and the Doria with a German or Italian apparatus. After the war, the ships received a British  L.W.S. radar of no practical use but training the crew.

Armament

Similarly to the Cavour Class, the most creative part of the modernization process took place around the main artillery.  The original Armstrong Vickers [ii] 305 mm guns were considered grossly inferior to what other navies were utilizing, but the cost for total replacement was prohibitive.  The original guns, which were made of an outer shell, coiled steel cables and an inner shell, or riffled tube, were disassembled. The coil was reduced in thickness by Ansaldo in La Spezia and the inner tube replaced with one of greater caliber bringing the guns up to 320 mm (12.6 “).  This new gun was designated as the Ansaldo 320 mm/44 1934. This technically challenging alteration resulted very successful as the lateral resistance of the gun barrel, while weakened, was not compromised. Furthermore, the elimination of the fifth turret, located amidships, gave extra material for the alteration.  At the end, the battleships were left with 10 guns each, three on the lower gun turrets and two on the upper ones, five aft and five forward.  

The 320 mm guns had a maximum elevation of 30˚ , three more than the previous class, and a maximum depression of -5 ˚and a range of 28,600 meters. The projective weighted 525 Kg. and had a speed of 830 m/sec (meters per second) at the muzzle. The rate of fire was 2 rounds per minute.  The length of the barrel was  48.8 calibers or 15.616 meters. Each gun weighted 64 metric tons.

The medium caliber 152 mm guns were completely eliminated as well as the 76/59. The original underwater 450 mm torpedo tube launchers were also removed.  The medium caliber guns on this class resulted radically different from the Cavour mostly due to the experience in the meantime acquired on the Littorio project.  The primary medium caliber armament consisted in 4 turrets each armed with three 134/45 O.T.O. 1937 guns for a total of 12. These turrets were located aft near turret  number 2, two on each side, and provided for an excellent rate of fire.  There were also 10 modern 90 mm Ansaldo 1939 guns similar to the ones used on the Littorio. These single guns were installed on stabilized platforms and provided for excellent antiaircraft protection. With an elevation of up to 75˚ and a rate of fire of 12 rounds per minute, these were excellent weapons.  Further antiaircraft protection was provided by 3 single 37/54 Breada 1932 and 12 double 37/54. During the conflict some of this lighter armament was altered resulting in a total of 16 dual 37/54 mm and 16 dual 20/65 mm.

Ammunitions

All ammunitions were kept in four distinct magazines located under the armor deck and near the turrets.  The magazines could be easily flooded and were accessible to the outside via a modern system of rolling doors.  The standard ordnance included 800 shells for the 320 mm guns, 2,900 shells for the 120/50 mm, and 2,460 for the 100/47 mm.

The transfer of the large projectiles from the magazine to the guns was complex and very secure. Projectiles were picked up via electric winches and deposited on a loading dock. Subsequently, four begs containing the charges were added and the full charge elevated to the guns. The charges were introduced into the guns, after the projectile, two each time.  The whole system was automated, excluding the initial handling of the powder bags.

The 135 mm and 90 mm shells were loaded by elevators to the main deck and from there manually transported to the magazines usually located at the base of each turret. In total there were 440 armor piercing shells, 210 explosive shells for the 230/43.8 mm guns, – 572 armor piercing shells, 873 explosive naval shells and 328 explosive aerial shells for the 135/45 mm guns – 4,000 explosive shells and 190 start shells for the 90/50mm guns.  The smaller caliber guns had about 1,800 rounds for the 37/54 mm and 2,400 for the 20/65 mm each.

Firing Control

The firing control mechanisms and apparatus was completely replaced and substituted with  modern equipment which proved itself up to the task for the duration of the conflict.  The equipment itself and the space allocated to the operator was vastly improved over the Cavour Class. The main telemetry system was housed in a movable compartment located 23 meters above the waterline and positioned above the main control tower. There were two telemetry systems  each 7.20 meters wide.  The telemetry station was connected to the firing station which could control all guns automatically and fire them at once. In case of failure of the automated system, there was a  failover station situated on top of turret  number 2 (forward) and a 9 meters wide telemeter. Another similar station was also placed atop turret number 3 aft. The 135 mm turrets had their own centralized stations, but could also operate independently. Smaller guns and antiaircraft guns had their own independent aiming and fire control mechanisms.

Aircraft

After the experience acquired on the Cavour, this class was never equipped with aircrafts..

Paint

Like all other vessels in the navy since 1929, the Cavour Class battleships were painted light gray. During the conflict, after study conducted on methods to make the enemy’s telemetry more difficult to focused, and based experience d acquired on the Littorio and the cruiser Duca d’Aosta, the Duilio received a two-color mimetic paint schema.  The Doria instead received a three-color mimetic schema very similar to the one applied to the Cavour class and originally designed by the famous naval painter Claudius.

Specifications

The Duilio class had a nominal displacement of 28,700 tons (29,000 metric) with a length of 186.9 meters, a width of 28 and a draft of 10.4 meters.  Armor represented 33.9% of normal displacement. The nominal power of 75,000 HP was calculated to be during trials as high as 87,000 HP. The maximum speed during these trial was 27 knots. Maximum speed at sea was about 27 knots, but the machinery could be stressed up to 26 knots.  The ships had a range of 4,250 (4,680 Dulio) miles at 13 knots, 3,390 (2,780 Duilio) at 20 knots and 1,700 at 24 knots. The bunkers could hold up to 2,552 (2,548 Duilio) tons of fuel.  The crew consisted of 36 officers and 1,400 between petty officers and sailors.

Conclusions

A debate over the option to modernizing these two ships versus building a new one – since these units were being  modernized at the same time the Vittorio Veneto Class  was being built– still rages.  The limitation of the Duilio Class, as with the Cavour before,  compared to the more powerful British battleships was quite evident during the conflict since  the Italian 320 mm could not compete against the British 381 mm. While the Duilio Class was an improvement over the Cavour Class, it still shared most of its limitations.   Eventually, only the Vittorio Veneto (Littorio) Class battleships represented a serious threat to the British Navy.  Thus, one has to conclude that building a single, more powerful battleship would have been preferable, but considering the technological  innovation, the ingenuity and the results achieved, much credit has to be given to the Italian naval engineers who collaborated on this project.   Let’s not forget that both units continued serving in the Italian Navy until 1956; this longevity  gives credit to its design and construction.


[i] Rotundi (Foggia, 10 July 1885 – Rome, 25 October 1945)  is universally known for having designed the Italian training ship Amerigo Vespucci.

[ii] Armstrong Vickers 12” 1909. There are some references to some of the guns being produced by Elswick and designated Pattern “T”. Both utilized Welin breech-blocks.

Torpedo Boats

Throughout the years, torpedo boats have changed form of use, and, by WW II, were not utilized in assignments, which they originally had previous to WWI.
Already, during the first years of the century, torpedo boats had been utilized on the high seas , but the experience gained from WW I put into evidence their scarce qualities as tactical units, task for which destroyers definitely gained the upper hand. The Treaty of Washington didn’t set particular limitations to this type of unit. In the 1930, the London Naval decided not to place limitations on all units of less than 600 tons, and also for those not exceeding 800 tons, provided that speed be less than 20 knots and there were no torpedo launchers.

The Regia Marina, within the limits set by these agreements, laid down the torpedo boats of the Spica class with a standard displacement of 630 tons. Later on, it was recognized that ships of this type had to have a greater fuel capacity so to remain for a longer time at sea . Construction began of 4 escorts of the Pegaso class.

During the war, it was made evident the impelling necessity of having units capable of escorting convoys with anti-aircraft and antisub capabilities, therefore construction began on 16 escorts of the Ciclone class followed the Pegaso. Finally, in 1942, construction began of a new class of 16 torpedo boats of the Ariete class, which was an improved Spica, but only one, the Aries, entered service. While for the torpedo boats of the Sirio class the limit of the standard displacement (set by both the treaty of Washington and the London Naval Conference) of 600 tons was almost observed , in the following series displacement was to be much greater. The Perseo class reached 642 tons, the Climene class 652 tons, the Gabbiano class 679 tons, and the Ariete class 757 tons.
For the escort, instead, such limitations were not taken into consideration and the Pegaso class had a standard displacement of 855 tons and the Ciclone class of 925 tons. Torpedo launchers, on the ancient torpedo boats, included the numerous of the P.N. class dating back to 1915-18, constituted the only type of armament. In the new torpedo boats and escort, torpedo launchers were less relevant, while anti-aircraft and antisub weapons were strengthened.

During the war, the originally installed 40 mm and the 13,2 mm guns, were replaced with 20 mm ones, better suited for anti-aircraft defense. Particularly on the Ciclone class, the anti-aircraft armament was constituted by 8 of such guns since construction. The experience gained during the war brought about the elimination of one of the 100-mm gun, which was replaced by a twin 20-mm gun.
The antisub armament, constituted by 2 depth charges launcher on the Spica, was increased to 4 on the Pegaso and on the Ciclone. Some units of this class had 6 of them; all units were provided with apparatuses for the search and location of submarines, and at the end of the war some units also received a RADAR.

Adapted and translated from the book “Guida alle navi d’Italia”, by Gino Galuppini, published in 1982 by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore.

Submarines

Introduction

During the period between 1925 and 1940, the Regia Marina dedicated large resources to the strengthening of its submarine force, which resulted in the deployment of 50 large, 89 medium, 2 cargo and 50 small units. At the beginning of the hostilities (June 10th, 1940), Italy had a total of 117 submarinesof which only 7 could be categorized as obsolete.

The first medium displacement boats built were the four 830 ton. “Mameli” in 1929. Later units had larger displacements. In 1932, Italy began producing the class “600“, units of only 650 tons. The same configuration was maintained on the “Sirena” (12 units), the “Perla” (10 units), the “Adua” (17 units). The “Platino” class (13 units) were increased to 710 tons.

From experience gather during the initial days of the war, displacement of all units was increased, with the Tritone class (13 units) reaching 905 tons. The first large submarines were the 4 units of the Balilla class. These double-hull, 1405-ton units were first deployed in 1928. Later models were decreased to about 1,100 tons, with the only exception of the ocean-going “Ammiragli” class (4 units), and the 2 transports of the “R” class.

Most medium and large units were armed with a single gun, placed in front of the conning tower. Some had a second gun place on the conning tower itself or just behind it. Torpedo launchers were installed both forward and aft. Usually, medium size units had two tubes aft and four forward. Some had a four and four configuration with the only exception of the “Bragadin” class, which had the aft torpedo tubes replaced by mine laying devices.

Large units were usually configured with four and four tubes, with the exception of the Balilla, which had only two stern tubes. The Foca, which was dedicated to mine laying, was equipped with only two tubes installed under the aft mine-laying devices. The ocean-going “Ammiragli” class was equipped with six forward and four aft tubes. These were 450 mm torpedoes (nicknamed ‘silurotti‘, small torpedoes) instead of the standard 533 mm ones. The “R” class, which was exclusively used for transport, did not have torpedoes. The standard propulsion system consisted of diesel engines for surface navigation and electric motors for submerged one. The “Ammiragli” and “Balilla” class had a third diesel engine attached to a dynamo used to produce electricity for surface navigation, thus providing for low-speed long-range capabilities.

Although in 1922 the Regia Marina had began research on submerged navigation using diesel engines, a device invented by Major Pericle Ferretti was never fully deployed. Even while collaborating with the German Navy, Italy never implemented this Dutch-invented device, known as the schnorchel, thus greatly impeding the performances of all of its submarines.

At the fall of France, Italy was able to set up an Atlantic submarine base in Bordeaux, thus eliminating the perilous passage through the Gibraltar Strait. Admiral Donitz, the supreme German submarine commander, attempted to integrate the Italian forces in the Wolf-pack strategy, but the Italian boats were technically poor, slow to dive and possessed a large and easily detectable profile. As a result, most Italian submarines operated in the Central and Southern Atlantic in solitary missions.

Adapted and translated from the book “Guida alle navi d’Italia”, by Gino Galuppini, published in 1982 by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore.

Evolution

Some authors date the invention of the submarine, or at least a conceptual development of it, around the 15th century in England, but the real revolution in underwater warfare began in the United States. John Phillip Holland, a brilliant engineer of Irish origin and militantly anti-British , developed at the very end of the 18th century the first modern submarine, the Holland. The sixth evolution, denominated Holland VI, began a series of naval tests in March 1898, soon proving its excellent military capabilities. Eventually, the U.S. Navy purchased the boat and named it USS Holland, thus giving birth to the illustrious history of the “silent service”. Eventually, Holland’s talent would mature in the highly recognized Electric Boat Company, while a patented copy of his work was also produced by the renowned and respected British shipbuilder Vickers of Glasgow. The Royal Navy was slow in embracing the new weapon, but by 1903 it had already deployed five “Hollands”, while the U.S. Navy had already seven.

Italy, at the time one of the emerging naval powers, experimented with submarines as early as 1890, date of the realization of the first prototype name “Delfino” (Dolphin), a fully electric boat built by the naval shipyard of La Spezia. The boat produced good technical results: it was stable and maneuverable, but due to the absence of an internal combustion engine, had limited endurance. However, it was instrumental in training naval engineers in this completely, and complex new field.

The period preceding the Great War would be of immense importance in defining the technical nature of the weapon, thus inducing various navies into creating practical and theoretical plans for their integration within the existing tactical organizations. One of the technical factors of greater importance was the basic design of the boats. Two different methodologies were followed in organizing the submarines’ means of submerging and surfacing. The two solutions were the simple hull, mostly of American design, and the partial double hull, a French design later improved by the Germans. The Italian designed Cesare Laurenti, still utilizing the American concept of the single hull, introduced a third solution, which provided for internal ballast tanks. Italian innovations, especially in the area of safety, would continue for decades.

These new, larger, and more powerful boats forced an evolution of their strategic employment. The initial models were strictly used for coastal patrol, the defense of ports, and possibly some other minor employments not requiring speed and endurance. The newer boats were faster, and capable of remaining at sea for extended periods of time, thus it was immediately conceived to have them operate as part of the battle fleet – a concept very dear to the British Admiralty and the U.S. Navy – or against enemy merchant ships – a concept later evolved to a level of science by the German Navy.

It is important to consider that in the first part of the 19th century, naval affairs were mostly revolving around Great Britain and the Royal Navy. As the most powerful fleet at sea, the Royal Navy set the standards for all other navies to follow. The British navy was very traditionalistic, sectarian, and intrinsically connected to the mighty British war industry, thus it favored large, powerful, and highly armored ships: the battleships. In 1904, in naval maneuvers conducted off Portsmouth, the British “Hollands”, essentially very rudimental vessels, were successful in simulating the torpedoing of four British battleships. The event was possibly noticed, but the Royal Navy had to wait for the ascendancy of Jacky Fisher to First Lord of the Sea to finally see change take place.

Just before the Great War, most of the larger navies had already developed an adequate submarine force. Great Britain had 92, France 52, Russia 48, Germany 38 , but the United States had only 30, and Italy only 20. Japan, with 13 boats, figured last. Italy, beginning an irreversible trend which would cause many repercussions during the second world conflict, had already fractioned its fleet into multiple classes. In addition to the already mentioned “Delfino”, there were the “Foca” and the “Atropo”, 8 units of the “Medusa” class, 5 of the Glauco class, 2 of the “Pullino” class, 2 of the “Nautilus” class, plus the shipyards were ready to introduce the “Argonauta”, the “Balilla” and two units of the “Pacinotti” class.

German boats were showing their superiority mostly thanks to the quality of their diesel engine, and the Italian shipyard of Muggiano (La Spezia) began utilizing diesel engines produced by FIAT and C.R.D.A. This tendency to develop domestic technology would be omnipresent in the development of the Italian submarine force, but it would also reflect the constant tension present within the high ranks of the Regia Marina, and the service’s inability to define a clear design standard. Furthermore, since some of the design work was conducted by the navy itself, and some by private industry, political mingling and financial interest were omnipresent.

Another aspect of the evolution of the Italian submarine force which we should not ignore is its role in the context of the naval doctrine developed by the Regia Marina at the time. Following the conclusion of the First World War, Italy and many other nations faced very severe financial hardship. In the case of Italy, economic, social, and political turmoil created the necessary fertile ground for the ascendancy of Benito Mussolini’s Fascist Party. The Italian Navy (Regia Marina), perhaps catalyzed by events surrounding it, did not fail to enter the highly controversial debate between the followers of the “Jeune école” and the “old guard”. The new school openly declared that the experience of the war just concluded demonstrated that large capital ships were vulnerable to smaller vessels, an argument this clearly in favor of the submarine forces. Eventually, as in other European countries, the think tanks within the Italian navy were divided between those who believed that the submarine was a new decisive weapon, and those who proposed that the war’s submarines exploits (mostly by the Germans) were simply the result of lack of readiness by the surface forces. This gap, it was asserted, had been filled and the submarine was now highly vulnerable.

Admiral Romeo Bernotti (1877-1974)

Italian naval doctrine was evolving under the impetuosity of the academic diatribe between Admiral Bernotti (new school) and Admiral di Giamberardino (old school). The latter was a prolific writer whose successful career was probably the result of his acclaimed intellectual work. Also prominent during this period was Commander Giuseppe Fioravanzo , who in rebutting di Giamberardino’s concept of “the final battle”, proposed a more defensive standing and a greater reliance on lighter vessels, especially submarines. This same author was also the first proponent of what, later on, would become the LCC-Class or command ship. In 1922 Admiral Bernotti reopened the “Istituto di Guerra Marittima” (Italian War College), but in the eighteen years that follow, Italy failed to establish a clear naval strategy inclusive of all naval elements, limiting itself to what could be considered an excessively simplistic approach: equal the French or else.

Admiral Oscar di Giamberardino (1881-1960)

The clearest demonstration of the divide between the navy’s good intentions and the actual results could be found in Adm. Guido Po’s writing (1940), in which he states that the Italian naval strategy was based on:

(1) the offensive use of warships and extensive use of submarine packs;

(2) the exploitation of Italy’s geographical position in the Mediterranean to disrupt the enemy’s communication lines; and

(3) seeking to maximize cooperation with the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) to overcome the lack of aircraft carriers.

An analysis of the Italian Navy in World War Two would exceed the boundaries of this discussion, but it should be said that most of these points were clearly missed and that the navy actually operated to the contrary of its established principles. The point which does pertain to this discussion is the utilization of submarines in packs; this strategy, based on the German experience of the previous war, would actually be one of the few areas in which disobedience to the originally established doctrine produced the greatest results.

In World War I, the Germans soon realized that the blockade imposed upon the Central powers would soon deplete these nations of vital imports. Germany had bountiful natural resources, but lacked rare minerals and materials necessary to the war effort. To balance the field, Germany had to impose similar restrictions upon its enemies, and mostly upon Great Britain. Submarine warfare was only partially regulated by the pre-war convention of the Hague. In general, the terms of the Hague agreement did not, and could not consider the technical evolution of the submarine, thus the weapon was bound to rules of engagement designed for surface compact. In essence, in raiding enemy ships, submarines were asked to surface, identify themselves, inspect the enemy vessel, allow for the crew to leave the ship, and eventually sink it.

This almost medieval set of rules, reminding us of the “singolar tensone” (single combat) of a long gone era, would surprisingly be revisited by the Italian boats in the early stage of the Atlantic battle. Two important technical evolutions made this kind of submarine warfare outdated: first, ships began receiving Marconi’s apparatuses, thus they could warn base of the presence of an enemy submarine. Second, even merchant ship began receiving the installation of deck guns capable of causing considerable damage to a flimsy submarine. The German decision to migrate from restricted to unrestricted warfare was inevitable. Despite America’s outcry regarding the barbarism of unrestricted warfare, in reality this conflict had already reached unprecedented barbarism with the massive butchery of troops at the front, the bombardment of civilian targets, deportations , the use of gasses and other means of destruction. Thus, submarines emerged as the villains, but at the same time as one of the most effective weapons of the war. Considering that during the highest point of the crisis up to one forth of all shipping to Great Britain was being sunk, the level of success reached by the German Imperial submarine fleet was unprecedented, unexpected, and almost succeeded in changing the outcome of the war.

This latter aspect should be clearly remembered since it contributed in shaping some of the Italian naval doctrine of the Second World War. German submarine warfare was not limited to the North Sea and the Atlantic, but it also expanded into the Mediterranean where the German boats easily overcame the passage of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Strait of Otranto to reach Austrian ports. This is another factor that should be kept under consideration; geographical barrier did not necessarily limit the effectiveness of the submarine, but German losses in the Mediterranean evidenced that certain conditions dramatically increase the percentage of losses. The end of the atrocious conflict, and the social, economical, and political turmoil that swept Europe and the rest of the world in the 1920 caused a partial loss by amnesia of all lessons learned during the first submarine conflict.

Taken as a whole, Italy’s position was precarious: the nation had participated in the Great War, suffered great losses, and received very little benefit from it (many historians root the advent of Fascism to these factors). Although the nation had now expanded into former Austrian territories with large Italian populations, Italy was still the weakest of the larger powers. The industrialization of the country was mostly reserved to the north western part of the nation (Turin, Milan and Genoa) and the other regions languished in economic disparity, poor communication, and a mostly agricultural economy utilizing antiquated methodologies. The Conference of Washington bolstered the Italian Navy’s confidence especially because it had achieved its primary goal, naval equivalency with what was perceived as its primary foe: France.

Friction between the two nations dated back to the reign of Napoleon III, and French opposition to the establishment of an Italian national identity. Still, a monarch whose family origins were distinctively French governed this recently established unified Italian kingdom. Italy, the equivalent of a European social climber, was forcibly trying to establish itself as one of the major players. As a matter of fact, Italy’s abandonment of the three-way alliance with Germany and Austria in favor of France and Great Britain had been a conniving and well-calculated gamble more than moral support of democracy versus central government.

The Regia Marina did not have a relevant role during World War I, bar the sinking of an Austrian battleship by insidious weapons toward the very end of the conflict. With the advent of a new and stronger government after the 1922 march on Rome, the new prime minister, Benito Mussolini, pursued a noticeably more defined and aggressive naval policy. Mussolini, in addition to consolidating his quasi-democratically obtained power utilizing demagogical, and later authoritarian means, immediately recognized the value of a strong navy, thus dedicating Italy’s scant resources to the building of a world class, qualitatively superior, modern, powerful, and well equipped navy. This “prima donna” role would have to be shared with the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force), while the army remained far behind.

While accumulating massive debts, the Italian government maintained a difficult balance between resources available and the escalating requirements imposed by this newly acquired military leadership. Naval constructions could easily benefit from Italy’s established naval technology, but suffer from shortage of essential material which had to be imported. Although most of the original engine and gunnery technology was clearly of British origin, the national industry had been able to develop a distinct Italian identity producing excellent ships capable of conquering the blue ribbon. As part of this fervent program of naval construction, the Regia Marina deployed the second largest submarine fleet in the World, second only to Russia. The Italian boats, as seen in the period preceding World War One, would be built by different shipyards following radically different designs.

A submarine fleet is not just an assembly of boats, nicely docked, and dressed in colorful flags. Submarines, by nature of their technical complexity, required specialized training and a new class of sailors. Italy established three distinct submarine schools. In addition to the already existing and reputable Royal Naval Academy of Leghorn for officers, the submarine schools were specifically designed for training submarine personnel, mostly specialized non-commissioned officers in the complex operations surrounding the operation of the boat, and their utilization as an offensive weapon (the schools were in Pula). Still, upon Italy’s entry into the war, a shortage of qualified personnel would be one of the most important factors in restricting submarine operations. This shortage of personnel was typical of all submarine services since the harsh and unhealthy conditions aboard diesel submarines did not allow for an extensive service, not to mention that casualties were extremely high.

The submarine force was organized under a single command structure, but its strategy had to fulfill multiple tactical requirements. Italian submarines were asked to defend the coastline, intercept enemy shipping, provide scouting for the fleet, transport essential war material, and lay minefields. Essentially, the submarine fleet had a variety of boats designed for a variety of tasks for a war scenario which failed to materialize. Italy’s “mortal” enemy, France, dissolved under the crushing German offensive of spring 1940 and Italy found itself face-to-face with the mighty Mediterranean Fleet. Although a scenario of a British-Italian conflict had been studied during the Ethiopian crisis, the efforts involved were very limited and consequently the naval command found itself dealing with the unimaginable: an offensive war.

While the surface fleet was tasked with the defense of the traffic with North Africa, Albania, and the Aegean, the submarine fleet had the arduous task of intercepting and sinking the non-existing British commercial traffic. It is interesting to note that, upon the declaration of war, while the air force and the army were given very conservative, if not defensive operational orders, the navy was tasked with providing Italy with all of her offensive initiatives.

Eventually, the war record of the Italian Mediterranean submarine fleet would be a pitiable one with slightly less than 100,000 t. of shipping sunk, and a large number of losses. Additional submarines were deployed in Eastern Africa and later the Atlantic. The first group, with operational guidelines developed before the war failed to produce noticeable results , while the second, faced with unforeseen conditions, would be able to write some of the most lustrous pages in the history of the Italian submarine force. In essence, wherever the Italians planned, they failed, and where they improvised, they succeeded.

With the Italian expansion in East Africa, despite the limited docking facilities, one would have expected a forceful Italian presence in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea to impede British maritime traffic. Unfortunately, due to poor planning, defective equipment, and waning supplies, the fear of an Italian menace in the area failed to materialize. On the Atlantic side, and especially in 1939, no one expected the availability of docking facilities. Spanish support, although much sought after, never materialized and therefore there weren’t any other friendly harbors available. Thus, the Regia Marina envisioned a series of Atlantic sorties which would have originated from Italian bases and had to endure the crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar. On the other hand, German submarines had to sail from their home bases, thus allowing only for very limited patrol time. The Italians, as already mentioned, had to deal with the Strait of Gibraltar and the local British presence, which despite Spanish pro-axis tendencies still gave the Royal Navy dominant control over the narrow passage.

The fall of France and the subsequent occupation of the French Atlantic ports radically changed the scenario. The German navy immediately sought to capitalize on the new opportunity, but the availability of ocean going vessels was very limited. Due to the post war limitations, Germany had to develop its submarines in other nations, mostly Holland, and preferred small, inhabitable boats with the maximum war load, while Italian engineers gave plenty of focus to habitability. Leveraging some of the discussion which had taken place in Friedrichshaffen (Germany) on the 20th and 21st of June, 1939 following the signing of the Italian-German “Pact of Steel”, the Germans requested the transfer of Italian boats to the Atlantic. During these meetings, Admiral Cavagnari, the Italian equivalent of the First Sea Lord, committed to an Italian presence in the Atlantic. It should be remembered that Italy and Germany were conducting parallel wars, and that the submarine agreement amounted to the first practical collaboration.

For a navy specifically built for a strictly Mediterranean war against France, this commitment was a stretch; still the Italian shipyards had developed and built several classes of submarine specifically designed for operations in the oceans. Since the late twenties and early thirties, Italy had begun building high displacement submarines capable of crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, reaching the Atlantic for long patrols along the French and African coast. During the 1939 discussions, the glamorous successes of the German U-Boot during World War I were still vivid in the minds of all Italian naval strategists: the glitter of glory was irresistible.

The communalities of interests between the two navies, especially in the area of submarine warfare, were limited. Although Italy had a larger fleet, it lacked the industrial power, which would later allow Germany to begin a program of mass construction. During the conflict, while Italy was barely able to produce 40 newer boats, Germany’s war machine produced over 1000. Surprisingly, with the evolution of the war, Germany, which had originally sought the collaboration of Italian boats, later would seek Italian crews to man new U-boats.

Foreign-built

The ‘Foreign Legion’

Durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale la Regia Marina ha impiegato un certo numero di navi da guerra di provenienza straniera, in genere frutto di catture effettuate in porto a seguito di vittoriose campagne belliche (si pensi alla campagna jugoslava del 1941 o agli eventi del novembre 1942 riguardanti la flotta francese). In genere si trattava di unità relativamente piccole e, magari, di una certa età, ma non sono mancate unità di rilevanti dimensioni e che, per le loro caratteristiche o età, sono state ritenute idonee al servizio di squadra.

Ai fini della nostra analisi possiamo dividere le “straniere” della Regia Marina nelle seguenti categorie:

unità già in servizio all’entrata in guerra dell’Italia;
unità acquisite in seguito ad operazioni belliche (cattura, recupero da affondamento in porto o in acque basse, eccetera);
unità in costruzione per conto di marine straniere ed incorporate nella Regia Marina.

Unità già in servizio all’entrata in guerra dell’Italia
Questa categoria si riduce essenzialmente a due unità, che erano gli incrociatori leggeri Taranto (ex tedesco Strassburg) e Bari (ex tedesco Pillau); si trattava di due incrociatori leggeri ceduti dalla Germania alla Regia Marina al termine della Prima Guerra Mondiale in conto riparazione danni di guerra. Qui non ci dilunghiamo ulteriormente in quanto queste unità (ricordiamo che una terza, l’incrociatore leggero Ancona, ex tedesco Graudenz, era stato radiato nel 1937) sono ampiamente trattate in un’altra pagina di questo sito (NOTA: inserire qui il link alla pagina “Incrociatori ex tedeschi”).

Unità acquisite in seguito ad operazioni belliche
Questa categoria, piuttosto numerosa, comprende essenzialmente unità ex jugoslave, catturate nell’aprile 1941 all’atto dell’occupazione della Jugoslavia da parte delle forze dell’Asse, ed ex francesi, catturate dopo l’occupazione della Francia di Vichy in seguito agli avvenimenti del novembre 1942.

Le unità ex jugoslave erano le seguenti:

Cacciatorpediniere Dubrovnik, Beograd e Ljubljana, divenuti rispettivamente Premuda, Sebenico e Lubiana;
Le sei torpediniere T 1, T 3, T 5, T 6, T 7 e T 8, che mantennero invariati i loro nomi anche nella Regia Marina;
I sommergibili Smeli, Ostvenik e Hrabri, di cui solo i primi due vennero messi in servizio con i nomi di Antonio Baiamonti e Francesco Rismondo, mentre il terzo venne immediatamente radiato a causa delle sue condizioni di manutenzione;
Le motosiluranti Uskok e Cetnik, divenute MAS 1D e MAS 2D (poi MS 47) e le sei Orjen, Velebit, Dinara, Triglav, Suvobor e Rudnik, messe in servizio come MS 41 – MS 46.
I posamine Galeb, Kobac, Orao, Iastreb, Labud e Sokol, divenuti gli italiani Selve, Unie, Vergada, Zirona, Zuri, Eso.
I dragamine D 2, Maljnska, Mljet, Mosor, Melijne, Marjan, divenuti gli italiani D 10, Arbe, Meleda, Pasman, Solta, Ugliano.
Di tutte queste unità quelle maggiormente interessanti per la Regia Marina erano indubbiamente i tre cacciatorpediniere, che venivano ad arricchire una categoria di naviglio già afflitta da numerose perdite (a fine aprile 1941, cioè dopo meno di un anno di guerra, già 16 caccia, sui 59 disponibili all’entrata in guerra, erano andati persi in azione), e le motosiluranti della classe Orjen, che fornivano su un piatto d’argento la soluzione al problema della realizzazione di una unità sottile di caratteristiche marine e belliche decisamente superiori a quelle dei MAS, che si erano rivelati troppo leggeri e sensibili alle condizioni del mare per un proficuo impiego bellico. Queste sei unità, infatti, avrebbero rappresentato la base da cui partire per la realizzazione del progetto delle motosiluranti del tipo “CRDA 60. Tonn.” (e delle VAS che dalle motosiluranti derivarono); a questo fine, una delle sei venne dislocata per qualche tempo a Monfalcone presso i cantieri CRDA, che ne rilevarono i disegni completi ed i piani di costruzione (per inciso, si trattava di un progetto tedesco precedente quello delle famose S-Boot, da cui differiva per le minori dimensioni ed i motori a benzina anziché diesel).

Quanto alle restanti unità, i sommergibili erano abbastanza moderni ed in buone condizioni (escluso l’ Hrabri, che infatti venne immediatamente demolito), ma la loro limitata profondità di collaudo (solo 80 metri, con un coefficiente di sicurezza di 1,6) non permise il loro inserimento nelle squadriglie operative. Vennero però destinati alla Scuola Sommergibili di Pola, ove svolsero un buon lavoro addestrativo.

Le torpediniere della classe T 1 erano vecchie unità ex austro-ungariche di poco più di 300 tonnellate, e risalenti alla Prima Guerra Mondiale, che vennero impiegate esclusivamente in compiti di scorta costiera. Le rimanenti unità (le altre due motosiluranti, i posamine e i dragamine) erano tutte unità vecchie e di poca utilità, che infatti vennero impiegate prevalentemente in compiti secondari, non possedendo caratteristiche tali da poter affidare loro compiti impegnativi. Da notare che, dopo l’armistizio le unità ex jugoslave sopravvissute alle vicende belliche vennero restituite alla marina jugoslava. Da ricordare infine che venne catturato anche un quarto cacciatorpediniere, lo Split, in costruzione nei cantieri di Cattaro. Nonostante gli sforzi italiani, l’unità non fece a tempo ad entrare in servizio con la Regia Marina (avrebbe dovuto assumere, probabilmente, il nome di Spalato) e venne terminato nel dopoguerra dalla Jugoslavia, con il suo nome originale.

Passando alle unità francesi acquisite in seguito agli avvenimenti di fine 1942, queste erano piuttosto numerose; in particolare si trattava di:

Incrociatori leggeri Jean de Vienne e La Galissoniere che dovevano diventare gli italiani FR 11 ed FR 12;
Cacciatorpediniere Lion, Panthere, Tigre, Valmy, Trombe, Siroco, L’Adroit, Lansquenet, Bison, Le Foudroyant, Le Hardi, che sarebbero dovuti diventare gli italiani FR 21-FR 24 e FR 31-FR 37 nell’ordine;
Torpediniere Bombarde, La Pomone, L’Iphigenie, La Bayonnaise, Baliste, che sarebbero dovute diventare FR 41-FR 45, ma che, per una diversa allocazione fra italiani e tedeschi delle unità catturate, vennero cedute alla marina germanica che le ridenominò TA 9-TA 13;
Corvette La Batailleuse, Cdt. Riviere, Chamois, L’Impetueuse, La Curieuse, Dedaigneuse, che dovevano diventare le italiane FR 51-FR 56;
Sommergibili Phoque, Saphir, Requin, Espadon, Dauphin, Turquoise, Circé, Henry Poincare, che dovevano diventare rispettivamente gli italiani FR 111-FR 118. Una ulteriore unità, il Calypso, non ricevette mai alcuna denominazione ufficiale (peraltro non entrò mai in servizio nella Regia Marina, come la gran parte di tutte le unità ex francesi); anche la sigla FR 118 (denominazione del Poincare) non è mai stata confermata ufficialmente, anche se appare molto probabile;
Posamine Castor e La Coubre (italiani FR 60 e FR 70);
Dragamine Petrel III, Georgette, Chasseur 81, Madonna di Pompei, Meduse, Ravignan, Heron, Pen Men, poi italiani FR 71 e FR 73 – FR 79.

A queste unità andrebbero poi aggiunte alcune altre unità ausiliarie e di seconda linea, petroliere, trasporti, unità per servizi vari, eccetera. Come si vede dalla Francia vennero acquisite un bel po’ di unità (per la precisione due incrociatori leggeri, undici cacciatorpediniere, undici navi scorta, nove sommergibili e dieci fra posamine e dragamine). Di questo nutrito gruppetto, tuttavia, ben poche prestarono servizio nella Regia Marina e, comunque, per un periodo limitato a pochi mesi; esattamente furono quattro cacciatorpediniere, due corvette, un solo sommergibile, un posamine e un dragamine.

Anche qui le unità più utili si rivelarono i cacciatorpediniere che andarono ad alleviare, seppure di poco, la ormai grave carenza di navi scorta per la squadra navale di cui soffriva nel 1943 la Regia Marina. Teniamo comunque conto che nessun caccia ex francese divenne pienamente operativo prima di marzo-aprile 1943, per cui il loro apporto alle operazioni navali italiane fu veramente minimo. Le navi scorta non furono praticamente utilizzate, in quanto le torpediniere vennero cedute alla marina tedesca (che utilizzò comunque quelle rimesse in efficienza nel Mediterraneo per la difesa delle correnti di traffico dell’Asse), e delle corvette ne vennero ripristinate ufficialmente due, ma le loro condizioni erano comunque talmente precarie che era più il tempo che passavano ai lavori di manutenzione di quello trascorso in mare, in missione di guerra.

I sommergibili, tranne l’FR 111, non riuscirono a vedere un solo giorno di servizio sotto bandiera italiana e vennero in genere autoaffondati negli stessi porti dell’Africa Settentrionale in cui erano stati catturati, oppure all’atto dell’armistizio nei cantieri italiani dove erano in corso i lavori di ripristino.

Purtroppo le unità ex francesi costarono notevolissime risorse in termini di impegno di uomini e mezzi ma, per mancanza di tempo, i risultati ottenuti come numero di unità rimesse in servizio furono molto al di sotto di quello che lo spiegamento di uomini e mezzi avrebbe potuto far sperare. Si pensi che gli italiani costituirono un ente apposito che si sarebbe dovuto occupare del recupero e ripristino delle unità francesi catturate a Tolone e suscettibili di reimpiego, e quest’ente (Ente Recuperi Italiani a Tolone) entro giugno 1943 aveva recuperato a Tolone tre incrociatori, una nave trasporto aerei e undici cacciatorpediniere (solo per citare le unità maggiori); purtroppo molto di questo naviglio, a causa delle condizioni in cui versava, venne direttamente avviato alla demolizione per il recupero di quel poco di materiali strategici (comunque utilissimi allo sforzo bellico italiano) che si potevano riutilizzare; quanto al resto non vi fu, come visto, il tempo materiale di rimetterlo in servizio. In definitiva la maggior parte del naviglio catturato e suscettibile di riutilizzo, all’atto dell’armistizio del settembre 1943 venne catturato dai tedeschi nei cantieri in cui venivano effettuati i lavori. Uno sforzo immenso per un risultato davvero minimo!

Unità in costruzione per conto di marine straniere ed incorporate nella Regia Marina
Le uniche unità appartenenti a questa categoria furono i due incrociatori antiaerei Etna e Vesuvio. Questi erano stati ordinati dalla marina del Siam (con i nomi di Taksin e Naresuan) come una versione ridotta degli incrociatori leggeri italiani del tipo Montecuccoli. Impostati nel 1938, la loro costruzione continuò sotto controllo straniero fino alla fine del 1941, dopo di che le due unità vennero requisite dalla Regia Marina che ne ordinò il completamento come incrociatori antiaerei, da utilizzarsi per l’accompagnamento e la scorta antiaerea dei convogli. Sarebbero stati dotati inoltre di ampi locali che avrebbero consentito loro il carico diretto di 400 m3 di materiali o di un contingente di truppa equipaggiata. Problemi di scarsità di maestranze e di materie prime, tuttavia, impedirono il loro completamento in tempi rapidi (nonostante fossero un tipo di nave che avrebbe potuto dare un significativo contributo alla quotidiana battaglia dei convogli per la Libia); all’atto dell’armistizio, infatti, il loro grado di allestimenti era circa del 65%. Così anche queste belle unità rientrarono nel numero delle navi italiane incompiute di quel tragico periodo.

Conclusioni

Come abbiamo visto la Regia Marina, nella seconda guerra mondiale, ebbe l’occasione di mettere le mani su un discreto bottino di guerra, in termini di unità navali catturate; purtroppo di questo bottino (secondo solo a quello che fecero i tedeschi, ma superiore a quello delle nazioni alleate) potè utilizzare ben poco, perché venne a mancare il tempo per poter ripristinare queste navi. Ricordiamo, a ogni buon conto, che la stragrande maggioranza venne catturata dopo autoaffondamenti, o atti di sabotaggio, tesi ad impedire un utilizzo (perlomeno un immediato riutilizzo) delle unità navali stesse. Vennero spese tante risorse preziose (soprattutto tenendo presenti le difficoltà in cui già si dibatteva l’Italia alla fine del 1942) senza purtroppo conseguire risultati apprezzabili. Una ulteriore conferma, se mai ce n’era bisogno, della drammatica insufficienza e impreparazione in cui versava l’Italia in generale, ed il suo apparato industriale in particolare, alla vigilia della Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Una insufficienza ed impreparazione che avrebbero dovuto consigliare molta prudenza al momento di decidere se entrare in guerra o meno.

Minesweepers

During World War II, the Regia Marina utilized, for minesweeping activities, mainly ships dating back to World War II or immediately after. We are referring to 38 “RD” class minesweepers (where RD stands for “Regio Dragamine” or “Rimorchiatore Dragamine, Italian for Royal Minesweeper or Tug-Minesweeper) built from 1916 through 1926, and 13 minelayers, two of which were originally German and 3 Austro-Hungarian.
The RD class minesweepers weighed about 200 to 220 tons, and were built from a variety of shipyards for a total of slightly less than fifty units. Obsolescence reduced the total number to 38; still they were the most homogeneous group of minesweepers employed by the Regia Marina

The minelayers included two ex-German “M” class minesweepers built during World War I and handed over to Italy as part of war reparations. In addition, the navy utilized 3 former Austro-Hungarian ships displacing little more than 100 tons, and originally laid down in 1917 in the Fiume’s shipyard and completed after the war on behalf of the Regia Marina. In the 1920’s, Italy built 10 more ships, but two Ostia-class minelayers, the Dardanelli and the Milazzo, were sold to Venezuela in 1938.

In 1931 the Regia Marina acquired four German-built high-sea fishing boats, which were named Berta, Biglieri, Matteucci and Sonzini. They were used as minelayers until 1938 then the Matteucci was re-rated as a transport and the other three as gunboats.
In 1938, three new ships were built: the prototype D 1 (or RD 1) and the Vigilante and Vedetta, but none of them was selected for large scale production in preparation for the quickly approaching world war. During the war, some units of foreign origin were incorporated into the Regia Marina, mainly of Yugoslavian (six minesweepers and six minelayers) and French (nine sweepers and one minelayer) origin. They were small, over-aged, and of minimal use, so they were scarcely used, and, after Italy’s armistice, the surviving vessels were returned to their original navies.

Six VAS class motor anti-submarine launches (from VAS 231 to VAS 236) were adapted as fast coastal minesweepers by removing all the anti-submarine armament and by fitting sweeping gear. Moreover, a new class of coastal minesweepers was included in the new construction programs; they had no names, but were numbered DV 101 through DV 149 and were known as “Dragamine di Vigilanza” (surveillance minesweepers).

None of these units entered service with Regia Marina. The Germans, who were able to complete and utilize some of them, captured the ones already laid down. The Regia Marina did not build any minelayers during the war, probably due to the fact that all Italian warships (cruisers and smaller vessels) were equipped with mine rails. It made no sense to build dedicated minelayers when most Italian warships could effectively lay down a minefield, and in fact the majority of Italian minefields were laid down by regular warships and not minelayers.