Italian submarines of World War II
Encyclopedia
The Italian submarine fleet of World War II was one of the largest in the world at that time, second only to that of the Soviet Union. It saw action during the Second World War, serving mainly in the Mediterranean. During the conflict 88 submarine
s, some two-thirds of its total strength, were lost.
Italy had a fleet 47 submarines in various classes; these were mostly obsolescent and she was interested in replacing them. To this end the Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marina
) made plans for a fleet of vessels in three Types:
Type I ocean going:
Type 2 coastal/sea-going;
Type 3 mine layers.
The Navy also invested time and resources in midget submarines and underwater special forces.
At the same time the major powers were negotiating an arms limitation treaty
at the 1922 Washington Naval Conference
. Whilst there was discussion of banning submarines altogether, and to outlaw their use (a course favoured by Britain
) both Italy
and France
opposed this.
However the conference did place restrictions on the number and size of warships of various types that nations could build.
The ocean-going submarine was restricted to a 1500 ton surface displacement, while the coastal submarine was limited to 600 tons, though there was no limit placed on the numbers of these vessels that could be built.
Between 1925 and 1929 Italy built a series of ocean-going submarines in a number of small classes, in order to find the most suitable designs for expansion. Work was done principally by the design bureaux of Cavallini, resulting in the Mameli and Settembrini classes, and of Bernardis, building the Pisani, Bandiera, and Squalo classes. They also commissioned a design by Ansaldo
, the Balilla class.
This was followed in 1930’s by the Archimede, Brin, and, just prior to war, Liuzzi classes from Cavallini, and the Glauco, Marcello, and later, Marconi classes from Bernardis. They also ordered the Calvi and Argo classes from Ansaldo.
Just prior to war, in 1939, the Italians also commissioned the Cagni class, designed specifically as a commerce raider with a long range and armed with 14 Torpedo Tubes of 17.7in calibre (these being more suitable against merchant ships). These were built to a CRDA/Bernardis design.
For coastal and medium range operations, the Italian Navy ordered a series of submarine classes, known as the 600 series. This commenced in 1929 with the Argonauta class, followed by the Sirena, Perla, Adua, and Accaiao classes, all to Bernardis designs.
For minelaying operations the Italians built the Bragadin class in 1927 (a Bernardis design), followed in 1930 by the Micca, and then the Foca class, from Cavallini.
Italy's interest in midget submarine
s resulted in the CA class, built in 1938, and followed during the war by CB, CC and CM classes. She also developed a manned torpedo, the SLC, an update of an Italian First World War design, for use by the Navy's special forces
.
During World war II Italy also had designs for a wartime building programme. This was the Flutto class of submarines, an enlarged 600 series design for medium range use, with mass production under war-time conditions in mind. 48 vessels, in three series (Types) were ordered, but only 12 were completed.
Also during the war Italy came to require a submersible transport; designs for this led to the R, or Romolo class of boats. Again, though 12 were ordered, only two were completed.
Bernardis favoured a single hull design, for better submerged characteristics, but adding side blisters for stability on the surface. This design was preferred by the Navy.
Cavallini used a double hull format, or a partial double hull with saddle tanks, to aid surface performance; this design was found to give better results.
Ansaldo also used the double hull, to emphasize surface handling.
However these vessels compared unfavourably with their British and German contemporaries, with comparatively slow diving times and poor handling underwater. One feature that caused problems was the large conning tower, making the boat more visible on the surface, and slowing the dive time. During the war many of these were reconstructed to remedy this fault.
The Italian submarine force was designed and intended to operate mainly in Mediterranean, in support of battle fleet or on scouting and patrolling missions, although its ocean-going vessels were also intended for the Atlantic.
It also had a number of boats stationed overseas in Italy's colonial empire.
At the joining of hostilities in June 1940 Italy had 115 submarines, of which 84 were operational; however 10 were lost in the first twenty days of action, due partly to flaws in quality, or poor training, and partly due to reckless bravado. Thereafter the Italians never had more than 25 to 30 boats operational at any one time.
Soon after June 1940 a submarine force was dispatched to the Atlantic, honouring a commitment to Germany to help in the Atlantic campaign. Code-named BETASOM
, this force was stationed at Bordeaux
in occupied France
.
32 boats in total served in the Atlantic, equalling the German numbers at the time, though their achievement fell short. The Italian submariners lacked not only the skills and training, but also the aptitude and ruthlessness necessary for commerce raiding.
Most later returned to the Mediterranean, or were converted to transports, for operations to Far East.
In the Mediterranean the submarine force lost heavily in the face of intense anti submarine warfare, and in attacks on heavily guarded convoys and naval formations.
In 1943 at Italy’s surrender the Regia Marina had 34 boats operational, having lost 92 vessels in action (over two-thirds of their number).
Type 2 coastal/sea-going submarines (Series 600
)
Type 3 minelayer submarines
Sea-going submarines (war-time construction)
Commerce raider submarines
Transport submarines
Midget submarines
Ex-World War I submarines
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s, some two-thirds of its total strength, were lost.
Construction history
After World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Italy had a fleet 47 submarines in various classes; these were mostly obsolescent and she was interested in replacing them. To this end the Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marina
Regia Marina
The Regia Marina dates from the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 after Italian unification...
) made plans for a fleet of vessels in three Types:
Type I ocean going:
Type 2 coastal/sea-going;
Type 3 mine layers.
The Navy also invested time and resources in midget submarines and underwater special forces.
At the same time the major powers were negotiating an arms limitation treaty
Arms control
Arms control is an umbrella term for restrictions upon the development, production, stockpiling, proliferation, and usage of weapons, especially weapons of mass destruction...
at the 1922 Washington Naval Conference
Washington Naval Conference
The Washington Naval Conference also called the Washington Arms Conference, was a military conference called by President Warren G. Harding and held in Washington from 12 November 1921 to 6 February 1922. Conducted outside the auspices of the League of Nations, it was attended by nine nations...
. Whilst there was discussion of banning submarines altogether, and to outlaw their use (a course favoured by Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) both Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
opposed this.
However the conference did place restrictions on the number and size of warships of various types that nations could build.
The ocean-going submarine was restricted to a 1500 ton surface displacement, while the coastal submarine was limited to 600 tons, though there was no limit placed on the numbers of these vessels that could be built.
Between 1925 and 1929 Italy built a series of ocean-going submarines in a number of small classes, in order to find the most suitable designs for expansion. Work was done principally by the design bureaux of Cavallini, resulting in the Mameli and Settembrini classes, and of Bernardis, building the Pisani, Bandiera, and Squalo classes. They also commissioned a design by Ansaldo
Gio. Ansaldo & C.
Ansaldo was one of Italy's oldest and most important engineering companies, existing for 140 years from 1853 to 1993.-From foundation to World War I:...
, the Balilla class.
This was followed in 1930’s by the Archimede, Brin, and, just prior to war, Liuzzi classes from Cavallini, and the Glauco, Marcello, and later, Marconi classes from Bernardis. They also ordered the Calvi and Argo classes from Ansaldo.
Just prior to war, in 1939, the Italians also commissioned the Cagni class, designed specifically as a commerce raider with a long range and armed with 14 Torpedo Tubes of 17.7in calibre (these being more suitable against merchant ships). These were built to a CRDA/Bernardis design.
For coastal and medium range operations, the Italian Navy ordered a series of submarine classes, known as the 600 series. This commenced in 1929 with the Argonauta class, followed by the Sirena, Perla, Adua, and Accaiao classes, all to Bernardis designs.
For minelaying operations the Italians built the Bragadin class in 1927 (a Bernardis design), followed in 1930 by the Micca, and then the Foca class, from Cavallini.
Italy's interest in midget submarine
Midget submarine
A midget submarine is any submarine under 150 tons, typically operated by a crew of one or two but sometimes up to 6 or 8, with little or no on-board living accommodation...
s resulted in the CA class, built in 1938, and followed during the war by CB, CC and CM classes. She also developed a manned torpedo, the SLC, an update of an Italian First World War design, for use by the Navy's special forces
Decima Flottiglia MAS
The Decima Flottiglia MAS was an Italian commando frogman unit of the Regia Marina created during the Fascist regime.The acronym MAS also refers to various light torpedo boats used by the Regia Marina during World...
.
During World war II Italy also had designs for a wartime building programme. This was the Flutto class of submarines, an enlarged 600 series design for medium range use, with mass production under war-time conditions in mind. 48 vessels, in three series (Types) were ordered, but only 12 were completed.
Also during the war Italy came to require a submersible transport; designs for this led to the R, or Romolo class of boats. Again, though 12 were ordered, only two were completed.
Design features
Italian submarines of this period were of various types, depending on the design bureau responsible.Bernardis favoured a single hull design, for better submerged characteristics, but adding side blisters for stability on the surface. This design was preferred by the Navy.
Cavallini used a double hull format, or a partial double hull with saddle tanks, to aid surface performance; this design was found to give better results.
Ansaldo also used the double hull, to emphasize surface handling.
However these vessels compared unfavourably with their British and German contemporaries, with comparatively slow diving times and poor handling underwater. One feature that caused problems was the large conning tower, making the boat more visible on the surface, and slowing the dive time. During the war many of these were reconstructed to remedy this fault.
Service history
In 1939 the Regia Marina had 107 submarines; this included 7 vessels of World War I vintage confined to training. Eight more were commissioned prior to joining hostilities, and a further 30 were commissioned during the war.The Italian submarine force was designed and intended to operate mainly in Mediterranean, in support of battle fleet or on scouting and patrolling missions, although its ocean-going vessels were also intended for the Atlantic.
It also had a number of boats stationed overseas in Italy's colonial empire.
At the joining of hostilities in June 1940 Italy had 115 submarines, of which 84 were operational; however 10 were lost in the first twenty days of action, due partly to flaws in quality, or poor training, and partly due to reckless bravado. Thereafter the Italians never had more than 25 to 30 boats operational at any one time.
Soon after June 1940 a submarine force was dispatched to the Atlantic, honouring a commitment to Germany to help in the Atlantic campaign. Code-named BETASOM
BETASOM
BETASOM BETASOM BETASOM (an Italian language acronym of Bordeaux Sommergibile. was a submarine base established at Bordeaux by the Italian Regia Marina Italiana during World War II....
, this force was stationed at Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
in occupied France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
32 boats in total served in the Atlantic, equalling the German numbers at the time, though their achievement fell short. The Italian submariners lacked not only the skills and training, but also the aptitude and ruthlessness necessary for commerce raiding.
Most later returned to the Mediterranean, or were converted to transports, for operations to Far East.
In the Mediterranean the submarine force lost heavily in the face of intense anti submarine warfare, and in attacks on heavily guarded convoys and naval formations.
In 1943 at Italy’s surrender the Regia Marina had 34 boats operational, having lost 92 vessels in action (over two-thirds of their number).
Classes
Type 1 ocean-going submarines- Mameli class : 4 units, built 1926-28
- Settembrini class : 2 units, built 1930-31
- Pisani class : 4 units, built 1927-28
- Bandiera class : 4 units, built 1929
- Squalo class : 4 units, built 1930
- BalillaBalilla class submarineThe Balilla-class were the first submarines to be built for the Italian navy following the end of World War I. They were large ocean-going cruiser submarines designed to operate in the Indian Ocean based in Italy's East African colonies. The design was double-hulled and based on the German Type UE...
class : 4 units, built 1927-28 - ArchimedeArchimede class submarineThe Archimede class were a group of submarines built for the Italian Navy in the early 1930s. The boats fought in the Spanish Civil War and in World War II...
class : 4 units, built 1933-34 - BrinBrin class submarineThe Brin-class submarines were five Italian submarines that served in the Regia Marina during World War II. All ships were built by Tosi. Two boats were replacements for Archimede-class submarines secretly transferred to the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. The class were...
class : 5 units, built 1938-39 - Liuzzi class : 4 units, built 1939-40
- GlaucoGlauco class submarineThe Glauco-class was a class of two submarines built by CRDA in Trieste for the Royal Italian Navy . The submarines had initially been ordered by the Portuguese government in 1931, but were finished for the Regia Marina when Portugal cancelled the order. Both boats were launched and commissioned in...
class : 2 units, built 1935 - MarcelloMarcello class submarineThe Marcello-class was a class of eleven submarines built by CRDA in Trieste for the Royal Italian Navy . The submarines were built from 1938 to 1939, and all eleven served in the Mediterranean at the start of the Second World War. After s 1940 sinking, the remaining boats were transferred to the...
class : 11 units, built 1937-39 - MarconiMarconi class submarineThe Marconi-class was a class of six submarines built for the Royal Italian Navy . The submarines were all launched between 1939 and 1940, and all but one, , were lost in the Atlantic during the Second World War....
class : 6 units, built 1939-40 - Calvi class : 3 units built 1935
- Argo class : 2 units, built 1936
Type 2 coastal/sea-going submarines (Series 600
Italian 600 Series submarines
The Italian 600 Series submarines were a series of submarine classes built for the Italian Royal Navy during the Inter war years.-Development:...
)
- Argonauta class : 7 units, built 1931-32
- Sirena class : 12 units, built 1933
- PerlaPerla class submarineThe Italian Perla-class submarines were a group of submarines built for the Italian Navy in the 1930s. They were the third sub-class of the 600 Series of submarines built by Italy and designed by Bernadis....
class : 10 units, built 1936 - Adua class : 17 units, built 1936-38
- Accaiao class : 13 units, built 1941-42
Type 3 minelayer submarines
- Bragadin class : 2 units, built 1929-30
- Micca class : 1 unit, built 1935
- FocaFoca class submarineThe Foca-class were a group of three submarines built for the Italian Navy between 1936 and 1938, intended primarily for mine-laying operations. The lead ship Foca was lost on October 1940 while laying mines in the Haifa harbor...
class : 3 units, built 1937-38
Sea-going submarines (war-time construction)
- Flutto class : 48 ordered in 3 series; 13 built 1942-44
- Type 1 : 12 ordered, 10 completed
- Type 2 : 24 ordered, 3 completed
- Type 3 : 12 ordered, none completed
Commerce raider submarines
- CagniCagni class submarineThe Cagni- or Ammiraglio Cagni-class was a class of submarines built for Italy's Regia Marina during World War II.-Design:...
class : 4 units, built 1940
Transport submarines
- R/RomoloItalian R class submarineThe R-class or Romolo-class were a group of submarines built for the Italian Royal Navy during World War II. These submarines were designed as blockade running transport submarines for transporting high-value cargo from Europe to Japan and from Japan to Europe...
class : 12 ordered, 2 built 1943
Midget submarines
- CACA class midget submarineThe CA class were a group of midget submarines built for the Italian Navy during World War II.-Design:These submarines were designed by the Caproni Company and built in great secrecy...
class : 4 units, built 1937-43 - CBCB class midget submarineThe CB class was a group of midget submarines built for the Italian Navy during World War II.-Design:The boats were designed as coast defence units with diesel electric propulsion. There was a mini conning tower to aid navigation...
class : 22 units, built 1942-43 - CC class : 4 ordered, none completed
- CM class : 3 ordered, none completed
Ex-World War I submarines
- H class : 8 units, 5 still in service in 1939
- X class : 2 units, both still in service in 1939