Italian World War II destroyers

At the start of World War II, Italian destroyers (Italian: cacciatorpediniere) were a mix of warships dating from old, World War I designs up to some of the most modern of their type in the world. They also varied in size from enlarged torpedo-boats to esploratori (an Italian designation for large destroyers approaching light cruiser size).

During the war, Italian destroyers were responsible for the safe flow of convoys to supply the Axis armies in North Africa, a dangerous task, and for the suppression of British submarines.

Design evolution

The operational areas for the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) were expected to be enclosed seas such as the Mediterranean, Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This was reflected in the design and construction of its warships, which did not need to withstand open ocean conditions. In 1941, the appropriately named Scirocco foundered in a storm off Cape Spartivento.

Italian destroyer designs followed differing design paths. At one end, a torpedo boat design was developed into a series of destroyer classes (Sella, Sauro and Turbine) that were comparable with their British contemporaries. There were also large destroyers of the older Mirabello and Leone classes, which, due to their older design, were kept to less dangerous tasks. The large destroyer concept was revived in the mid-1920s, in response to new French designs.

At the end of the 1920s, a design emerged (Freccia class) that was the basis for improvement and standardisation. Subsequent classes showed incremental changes that improved reliability and the Maestrales were the template for the following twenty-three ships.

The original anti-aircraft weaponry, consisting of mixtures of obsolete 40 millimetre Vickers cannon (designed in 1917) and 13.2 mm machine guns was clearly inadequate by the start of Italy's war. The chosen answer was 20-millimetre cannon and, in some individual ships, 37-millimetre guns replaced torpedo tubes.

Caution is needed when considering the maximum speeds of Italian warships of this period, since Italian practice was to run the trials with ships as light as possible, often without armament. This enabled impressive speeds which were unobtainable under operational conditions.[1]

Esploratori

The designation "esploratori", meaning "scouts", was originally given to a class of Italian warship that was between the then-current destroyers and cruisers, in terms of size and firepower. Of the Italian destroyers that saw action in World War II, the ships belonging to the Navigatori, Mirabello and Leone classes were originally rated as esploratori. They were reclassified as destroyers by 1940. The Regia Marina initially classified yet another group of ships (Capitani Romani class) as "esploratori oceanici"—ocean scouts, but they were eventually classified as light cruisers.

Active service during World War II

Italian destroyers were usually organised into Squadriglie (Destroyer Squadrons or Divisions) of four ships of one class. When Italy entered World War II, on 10 June 1940, the Regia Marina had sixteen Squadriglie Cacciatorpediniere. Destroyer Divisions 1 and 2 were each composed of four Turbine-class destroyers, Destroyer Division 3 (stationed in the Red Sea) consisted of the four Sauro-class destroyers, Destroyer Division 4 consisted of the two remaining Sella-class destroyers, Destroyer Division 5 (stationed in the Red Sea) was made of the three Leone-class destroyers, Destroyer Division 6 consisted of the two Mirabello-class destroyers, Destroyer Divisions 7, 8, 9 and 10 consisted of four ships each from the Freccia (Division 7), Folgore (Division 8), Oriani (Division 9) and Maestrale (Division 10) classes, respectively; Destroyer Divisions 11, 12 and 13 were composed of four Soldati-class destroyers each, and Destroyer Divisions 14, 15 and 16 were made of four Navigatori-class destroyers each.

During the war, the older destroyers (such as the WWI-era Mirabello-class and the Sella-class, built in the early 1920s) were mainly used as escort ships on the less dangerous routes (mainly between Italy, Albania, Greece, the Italian Dodecanese and the Axis-occupied islands in the Aegean Sea), whereas the more modern destroyers of the Oriani and Soldati classes were primarily employed as fleet escorts, but not exclusively so, taking part in most battles and operations that involved the Italian battlefleet between 1940 and 1942.[2] Other tasks included mine-laying, convoy escort, anti-submarine, supply transport and anti-shipping. Destroyers that fell between the two categories, being neither too obsolete, nor modern enough for use with the battlefleet, were tasked with escorting supply convoys between Italy and North Africa; ships of the Navigatori, Freccia, Folgore and Maestrale classes were among those that saw most intense service on these routes.[3] As losses among the less recent destroyers mounted, the more modern ones were increasingly used for convoy escort as well, and by late 1942 the majority of the Oriani and Soldati-class ships were also being primarily used for escort, transport and minelaying duties in the Sicilian Channel, leaving few destroyers with the battlefleet.

During the Tunisian Campaign, after the Battle of Skerki Bank caused the loss of 1,500 soldiers in one night and showed that troop transports were too vulnerable to the Allied offensive, Italian destroyers were extensively used in fast troop transport mission to Tunisia. Sailing from ports in Sicily, a destroyer division could deliver some 1,200 troops with their personal equipment in one night; of 77,741 troops sent to Tunisia by sea between November 1942 and May 1943, some 52,000 were carried by the destroyers, with the loss of less than 700 men (compared to nearly 5,000 troops lost at sea while being carried by merchant ships).[4] At the same time, Italian destroyers were deeply involved in escort mission of supply convoys and minelaying missions aimed at defending the main shipping lanes between Italy and Tunisia; during the Tunisian campaign, Italian destroyers carried out 535 escort missions, 301 transport missions and 132 minelaying missions (laying 4,093 mines overall).[5]

At the outbreak of World War II, the Italian Navy had 59 destroyers (not including 67 "torpedo boats" that were either downrated WWI-era small destroyers, such as the Pilo, Sirtori, La Masa, Palestro and Curtatone classes, or ships of the Spica and Pegaso classes, comparable in size, armament and use to the Allied destroyer escorts). Twelve additional destroyers were commissioned during the war: five were newly built ships of the Soldati class and seven were captured foreign ships, of which three were Yugoslav ships captured in April 1941 with the Invasion of Yugoslavia, and four were French ships raised and repaired after the scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon in November 1942. The intense service of these ships, especially on the dangerous supply routes between Italy and North Africa, resulted in severe losses: of seventy-one Italian destroyers that served during World War II, forty-tree were sunk during the war against the Allies, between 10 June 1940 and 8 September 1943, and another fifteen were lost following the Armistice of Cassibile and Operation Achse (most of the latter were undergoing maintenance or repairs when the armistice was declared, and were scuttled in harbour to prevent them from falling in German hands). Most of the thirteen destroyers that survived the war were ceded to France and the Soviet Union by order of the Paris Peace Treaty; only five destroyers (the WWI-era Augusto Riboty, the Navigatori-class Nicoloso Da Recco and the more modern Grecale, Granatiere and Carabiniere) were left to the postwar Marina Militare.

Of the 58 Italian destroyers lost during World War II, fourteen were sunk by aircraft, ten by surface warships, eight by submarines, six by mines, five by accidental causes, one by motor torpedo boats. Eight were scuttled and six captured, most of them in harbour while undergoing repairs, following the Italian armistice and the German occupation of Italy.

Classes

At the Italian declaration of war in June 1940, the Regia Marina's destroyer force was a mix of outdated ships of World War I design and larger numbers of modern designs.

Mirabello class

Three ships of this class were commissioned in 1916–17 as "esploratori", but one (Carlo Alberto Racchia) was lost in the Black Sea in 1920. In destroyer terms in the early 1920s, the ships of this class were powerful vessels, displacing 2,300 tons[6] and armed with eight four inch guns in single mounts, 450 millimetres (17.7) inch torpedoes, depth charges and mines. Four of the eight guns were mounted along the ships' sides, reducing a broadside to six. In 1942–43, the remaining ship in the class had its four beam four inch guns removed and its anti-aircraft weaponry was strengthened to eight 20 millimetre machine guns and depth charge capacity was also increased.[7]

The Mirabello's design reflected their age and when Italy entered the war, they were used to lay minefields off Taranto and to escort convoys to Albania and Greece, relatively "safe" duties. Despite this, Carlo Mirabello was mined and sank off the Greek coast near Cape Dukato in 1941. Once re-armed, the remaining ship, Augusto Ributy was employed escorting convoys. She survived the war and, though assigned to the Soviet Union by the peace treaty, she was refused due to her old age and was scrapped in 1951.[7]

Leone class

Three Leone-class "esploratori" were commissioned in 1924. They were reclassified as destroyers in 1938. Their armament was upgraded from that of the preceding Mirabellos and the resultant additional topweight required increases in dimensions and displacement (2,690 tonnes[6]) and the machinery was also significantly uprated to maintain speed. Main guns and torpedoes were all located along the centre-line, an improvement that allowed all guns to fire to both sides, although two turrets were placed amidships and could only fire to either side. Eight 4.7 inch guns (120 millimeters – the new standard for Italian destroyers, introduced during World War I by the Romanian-ordered Aquila class)[8] were mounted in four twin turrets and torpedo tubes were now 21 inch.[7]

All three were part of the Italian Red Sea Flotilla at the start of Italy's war in June 1940, where they were employed to lay mine fields and to disrupt British convoys, without any success. All were lost by early April 1941. Leone ran aground and was sunk by her sisters. After an abortive mission against Port Sudan, Pantera and Tigre, both damaged by Swordfish aircraft, were scuttled off Saudi Arabia.[9][10]

Sella class

The four Sella-class ships were enlarged Palestro class torpedo boats, commissioned in 1926/27 and displacing 1,500 tonnes.[6] As completed, these ships had a single 120 millimetre (4.7 inch) gun, four 533 millimetre (21 inch) torpedo tubes, two 40 millimetre and two 13.2 mm machine guns. The single 120mm gun mounting was changed to a twin in 1929 and an additional twin mount was installed sometime before 1942. The 40mm weapons were an old pattern and they were replaced by two 20mm. Two more 20mm and two depth charge throwers were added. In use, the class proved to be unreliable.[11]

Two, Bettino Ricasoli and Giovanni Nicotera, were sold to Sweden and transferred just as Italy declared war. The remaining two were stationed in the Aegean for much of the war. They laid minefields and escorted convoys and were involved in actions against British operations off Rhodes and Crete. In the latter case they carried the esplosive motorboats that seriously damaged HMS York at Suda Bay. At the Italian surrender in 1943, German E-Boats sank the Quintino Sella, while Francesco Crispi was captured in Piraeus and renamed TA15 for the Kriegsmarine, being finally sunk by Allied planes on 12 October 1944.[11]

Sauro class

Four Sauro-class destroyers were commissioned in 1926/27. They were developments of the preceding Sella class, with a broader beam to allow for the greater weight of weaponry from that in the Sellas' original specification and some layout changes. The machinery remained substantially unchanged and, consequentially, the Sauros were no more reliable. They displaced 1,625 tonnes,[6] with four 120mm guns and six 533 mm torpedo tubes. Secondary armament, 40mm and 13.2 mm machine guns were unchanged at the time of their early loss.[12]

The four destroyers were based in the Red Sea to attack British convoys. All were lost by early April 1941, when Massawa fell: one (Francesco Nullo) was sunk by HMS Kimberley in October 1940 after a failed attack on a British convoy, while two (Nazario Sauro and Daniele Manin) were sunk by British planes during a last failed attack on Port Sudan, shortly before the fall of Massawa, and the last one (Cesare Battisti) had to be scuttled after engine defects forced her to abort the same mission.[12]

Turbine class

Eight 1,700 tonne[6] Turbine-class destroyers were commissioned in 1927 and 1928. These ships were a further development of the Sella design, with a larger hull, significantly increased engine power and fuel storage. The result was slightly faster ships with greater range. Armament was unchanged but a greater mine capacity was available. After 1940, the two surviving ships had their old model 40mm guns replaced by modern 10mm ones. In addition, Turbine had one triple torpedo tube mounting replaced by a 37mm gun.[13]

All of the class were based at Tobruk, north Africa, and used to lay minefields and run supplies from Italy. This was an exposed location and six were sunk before the end of September, 1940, most in harbour by naval aircraft. Two survived until the Italian surrender, one (Turbine) was captured by the Germans and renamed TA14. Euro joined the Allies and was subsequently sunk off Leros.[13]

The twelve Navigatoris were commissioned between December 1929 and May 1931. They were a modern form of the earlier esploratori – large destroyer – type of ship, displacing 2,650 tonnes[6] and were a response to the French Jaguar and Guépard classes. Weaponry, compared to the earlier esploratori was reduced to six 120mm in three twin turrets, one of which was amidships. The guns were a new model (Ansaldo 1926 pattern, 50 calibre) and the mountings allowed 45° elevation. The class used two sizes of torpedoes, in two triple banks, each unusually composed of two 533mm (21 in) separated by one 450mm (17.7 in). As originally built, the class retained the older anti-aircraft fit of two 40mm and four 13.2 mm machine guns. Fifty-six mines were carried, except for the flagship, Nicolosso Da Rocco, which required the space for staff facilities. The class' machinery introduced a unit design, whereby the boilers and engine for one shaft was housed separately from those for the other shaft. Power output was substantially increased, in order to deliver the desired speed. A new style of bridge layout and structure was also introduced.[14]


As originally built, the Navigatori ships were insufficiently stable and too wet. Cures were applied in two stages, firstly in the mid-1930s when some superficial changes were made to reduce superstructures and move fuel bunkers, and subsequently in 1938–1940, when the beam was increased and bows raised. Displacement was increased thereby and speed significantly reduced. During World War II, several programmes were started to upgrade weaponry, in particular anti-aircraft weapons, but none were applied uniformly to all ships in the class. These included full triple 533mm torpedo mountings, 40mm guns replaced by greater numbers of 20mm ones, The after torpedo tubes were replaced by 37mm guns. Several ships were adapted for radar but ony two received the equipment; Leone Pancaldo had the Italian EC3/ter Gufo set and Lanzaretto Malocello had the German FuMo 26/40G.[14]

The three squadrons of this class served in the Mediterranean, escorting north African convoys, laying offensive minefields, bombarding shore targets and screening the fleet. Five ships survived until the Italian surrender, but two of these were sunk in September 1943 after action against a German convoy and another was scuttled in port to avoid capture by the Germans. One was captured by the Germans and served with them as TA44. One ship survived the war in Italian service.[14]

Freccia or Dardo class

The four Freccia class destroyers, commissioned between October 1931 and May 1932, were a reversion to the smaller type of fleet destroyer and they were intended to keep pace with the new Zara-class cruisers and required greater speed and engine power to do so. Despite their design origins with the Turbine class, various changes resulted in the displacement, as originally built, increasing to 2,150 tonnes[6] These changes included a larger hull, remodelled bridge and had their engine exhausts trunked to a single funnel. Poor stability and engine reliability were serious problems when the ships entered service and remedies were attempted which, in turn, led to fuel contamination. Weaponry was as for the Turbines, except that an improved version of the 120mm gun was installed (Ansaldo 1926 pattern). Later, the obsolete 40mm and 13.2 mm machine guns were replaced by 20mm/65 calibre ones. In one ship, a torpedo mounting was replaced by two 37mm guns.[15]

At the start of Italy's war, the four ships formed the 7th Squadron based at Taranto and they were at the Battle of Calabria. Otherwise, their main role was convoy protection. Three were lost before the Italian surrender and one, Dardo, was captured by the Germans (renamed TA31).[15]

Four ships, the Kountouriotis-class destroyer, were built for the Greek Navy, based on the Freccia design.[16]

Folgore class

The four Folgores, commissioned between June and September 1932, were modified Freccias and they are sometimes included in that class as the "second group". Displacement was marginally reduced at 2,130 tonnes.[6] The one major alteration was to reduce beam in order to improve their speed, this resulted in reduced fuel capacity and, consequently, their range. They were no more reliable or seaworthy than their earlier sisters. Their anti-aircraft gunnery was similarly improved.[17]

These ships' service was closely similar to the Freccias. They were based at Taranto and also took part in the Battle of Calabria. They also spent much of their time escorting north African convoys, on which duties they were all lost before the Italian surrender.[17]

Maestrale class

After the disappointments of the Dardo and Folgore classes, the Maestrale development was a largely successful attempt to eliminate faults. The four ships, commissioned from September to November 1934, were larger than the earlier classes, 2,255 tonnes[6] and longer and broader. Engines and armament, as completed, were unchanged from the Dardos, but a later version of the 120mm gun was used, the O.T.O. Pattern 1931. During service, efforts were made to improve the potency of the anti-aircraft weaponry; 40mm and 13.2 mm machine guns were replaced by newer 20mm ones and subsequently increased in number, two 37mm anti aircraft were installed in place of a torpedo tube mounting. A 120mm starshell gun was installed on some ships to mitigate the Italian Navy's disadvantages in night actions.[18]

Although mainly used as fleet escorts, these ships also laid minefields and escorted convoys, during one such duty, they missed the Battle of Calabria and were never involved in a major fleet action. They came to a mixed bag of fates. Two were lost before the Italian surrender, one torpedoed and one lost in a storm; one, under repair at the surrender was scuttled to avoid German capture. The fourth, Grecale, joined the Allies, was involved in actions against the Germans and survived into long post-war Italian service.[18]

Oriani class or Poeti class

These four ships were commissioned between July and December 1937. They were effectively a repeat of the preceding Maestrales with an increased engine power. The increase in power, however, disappointed in that there was only a marginal speed improvement. The obsolete 40mm anti-aircraft guns were finally discontinued, being replaced by extra 13.2 mm machine guns; otherwise armament was unchanged. The ships displaced 2,510 tonnes[6] as built. Significant upgrades were made to the weapons systems of the two ships that survived Matapan, similar to those made to the Maestrales. One torpedo tube mounting was replaced by two 37mm guns; 20mm cannon, a 120mm star-shell gun and depth charge throwers were also installed. Before the end of the war, one ship, Oriani had German Seetakt radar and additional 20mm cannon.[19]

The four Orianis operated as fleet escorts for much of the war, being present at the battles of Calabria and Matapan, two being sunk at the latter action. Another was sunk shortly before the Italian surrender. One ship, Oriani, survived to serve with the Allies and was subsequently transferred to France and renamed D'Estaing.[19]

Soldati class

Nineteen Soldati-class destroyers were built in two batches; twelve commissioned between August 1938 and May 1939, and the second batch of five between February and August 1942. The remaining two ships were not completed before the surrender; one was scrapped while under construction and the final one was completed under German colours.[20]

First group

The first batch took the Oriani design, with some modifications giving an increased displacement of 1,645 tonnes.[6] Weapons systems were modified but these were not consistent between all ships of the class. The 120mm guns remained the main battery, in two twin mountings, fore and aft, but a later pattern was used, the 1936 or 1937 Ansaldo. As completed, the anti-aircraft battery consisted of twelve machine guns. Five ships are known to have had a second fire control director installed aft; two ships are known not have been so fitted. All except Carabiniere had a 120mm star shell gun amidships, to help reduce the Italian ships' disadvantage in night actions. All ships had two triple 21 inch torpedo tube mountings.[21]

In 1940–41, the second, aft, directories were removed from those ships that had them. Five ships had an additional single 120mm gun (Ansaldo 1940 pattern) to replace their star-shell gun. The anti-aircraft machine-guns were replaced by 20mm cannon and further strengthened in 1943. Three ships received two single 37mm anti-aircraft guns, which replaced the single 120mm (where installed) and the aft torpedo tube mountings. One ship, Fuciliere, had an Italian Gufo radar set installed in 1943.[21]

Second group

Seven modified Soldati-class ships were ordered in 1940 and laid down in late 1940–41. These ships were equipped with five 120mm guns (2 twin and one single replacing the start shell gun of the earlier ships) and extra light AA guns.

Comandanti Medaglie d'Oro class

None of this class were ever launched, only nine were laid down.

Captured ships

The Regia Marina also operated some destroyers built for foreign navies, captured from either France or Yugoslavia.

  • Premuda – former Yugoslav destroyer Dubrovnik captured in April 1941
  • Beograd class – 2 former Yugoslav destroyers captured in April 1941
  • FR 22 – former French destroyer of the Chacal class captured in November 1942
  • Guépard class – 2 former French destroyers captured in November 1942, FR 21 and FR 24
  • FR 31 – former French destroyer of the Bourrasque class captured in November 1942

Weapons systems

Guns
  • 4 inch (Mirabello)
  • 120 millimetre (4.7 inch) M1918/19 Pattern (Leone)
  • 120 millimetre (4.7 inch) O.T.O. 1926 Pattern (Sella, Sauro, Turbine)
  • 120 millimetre (4.7 inch), 50 calibre Ansaldo 1926 Pattern (Navigatore, Freccia, Folgore)
  • 120 millimetre (4.7 inch), 50 calibre O.T.O. 1931 Pattern (Maestrale)
  • 120 millimetre (4.7 inch), 1936 & 1937 Patterns (Soldati, 1st group)
  • 120 millimetre (4.7 inch), 50 calibre Ansaldo 1940 Pattern (some Soldati, 1st group)
  • 120 millimetre (4.7 inch), 15 calibre star-shell gun
  • Vickers 40 millimetre, 39 calibre (original fit for most classes, steadily replaced by 20mm/65 calibre)
  • Breda 37 millimetre, 54 calibre (Turbine, individual ships of Freccia, Folgore, Maestrale, Oriani, some Soldati)
  • Breda Model 35 20 millimetre, 65 calibre (Navigatori, Soldati)
  • Scotte-Isotta 20 millimetre, 70 calibre (Oriani, Soldati(?))
  • Breda Model 1931 13.2 mm machine guns

Torpedoes
  • 450 millimetres (17.7 inch (Navigatori)
  • 533 millimetres (21 inch) (Navigatori, Soldati)

Depth charges

Mines

Radar
  • Mirabello class
  • Leone class
  • Sella class
  • Sauro class
  • Turbine class
  • Navigatori class
  • Freccia class or Dardo class
  • Folgore class
  • Maestrale class
  • Oriani class or Poeti class
  • Batch 1 Soldati class
  • Batch 2 Soldati class
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See also

Bibliography
  • Jackson, Ashley (2006). The British Empire and the Second World War. London: Hambledon Continuum. ISBN 1-85285-417-0.
  • Whitley, M J (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-521-8.

References
  1. Whitley, p.157
  2. Giorgio Giorgerini, La guerra italiana sul mare. La Marina tra vittoria e sconfitta 1940–1943, p. 426.
  3. Giorgio Giorgerini, La guerra italiana sul mare. La Marina tra vittoria e sconfitta 1940–1943, p. 426.
  4. Giuseppe Fioravanzo, La Marina italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale. Vol. VIII: La difesa del traffico con l'Africa Settentrionale dal 1° ottobre 1942 alla caduta della Tunisia, page 45.
  5. Giuseppe Fioravanzo, La Marina italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale. Vol. VIII: La difesa del traffico con l'Africa Settentrionale dal 1° ottobre 1942 alla caduta della Tunisia, page 59.
  6. Unless otherwise stated, all displacements are given in metric tonnes as full displacement.
  7. Whitley, p.158
  8. Robert Gardiner, Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906–1921, Naval Institute Press, 1985, p. 266
  9. Whitley, pp.158–159
  10. Jackson, p.283
  11. Whitley, p.160
  12. Whitley, pp.160–161
  13. Whitley, p.161
  14. Whitley, pp.162–164
  15. Whitley, p.165
  16. Whitley, p.154
  17. Whitley, p.166
  18. Whitley, p.167
  19. Whitley, p.168
  20. Whitley, pp.169–171
  21. Whitley, pp.169–170
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