War on Mediterranean communications: the Italian fleet at the beginning of World War II

During World War II, the Third Reich and its Italian allies were faced with the problem of ensuring the security of maritime communications in the Mediterranean Sea. The role of their protection was assigned to the Italian fleet.

Meanwhile, despite the experience of the First World War, the latter failed to cope with the task due to the fact that the Italian ships were not the most modern and did not have adequate hydroacoustic means.

Historian Sergei Patyanin spoke about what the fleet of fascist Italy was like at the turn of 1940-1941.

So, the most “ancient” in the Italian language fleet There were destroyers built in five series from 1914 to 1922. True, by the beginning of World War II, out of 34 units, the Italians had 25 left. At the same time, the speed of these ships did not exceed 24 knots, and their cruising range was limited.

Also, in 1922, six escort gunboats of the Buffille class entered service. True, they were not full-fledged escort ships due to limited seaworthiness.

Later, in 1931-1934, the destroyer Albatross was built, but it was too expensive and did not go into production.

Meanwhile, in 1934, construction began on a series of destroyers of the “Six Hundred Ton Type”, which had a displacement of about 800 tons, a speed of 34 knots and 300 mm guns. These ships turned out to be insufficiently effective to combat surface vessels, but performed well in the defense of communications.

Four Orsa-class escort patrol ships built in 1934 more or less effectively coped with their task. In 1941, a series of 18 improved ships was ordered, but only 15 were launched before the Italian capitulation.

In addition, Italy had about 200 improvised anti-submarine boats, which were converted civilian vessels, as well as 36 auxiliary cruisers ranging from 450 to 5500 tons.

The main means of fighting the Italian fleet against submarines were depth charges purchased from Germany, as well as anti-submarine bombs.

As mentioned above, the Italian ships failed to cope with the task. Meanwhile, during the Second World War they were able to destroy 22 submarines.

Comments

[Grossvater]

And what is the article about, I’m embarrassed to ask?

[Woroshilow]

This is not an article, but a preview of a YouTube video at the link below the preview.

[knn54]

But the Italian naval saboteurs of Prince Borghese distinguished themselves.

[Woroshilow]

Meanwhile, in 1934, construction began on a series of destroyers of the “Six Hundred Ton Type”, which had a displacement of about 800 tons, a speed of 34 knots and 300 mm guns

This is the imba the Italians built))

[Fitter65]

destroyers of the “Six Hundred Ton Type”, which had a displacement of about 800 tons, a speed of 34 knots and 300 mm guns.

I read about 300 mm guns and realized there was no point in watching the video, literally at all. Especially considering that not every battleship had such guns, but here is a destroyer...

[Sergey Valov]

You are in vain. Patyanin is a very qualified specialist, his lectures and books are worthy of the highest praise. He obviously didn't write the article.

[Monster_Fat]

This is a whole website called Tactics Media. As part of the “Archival Revolution” project, they publish simply the most interesting lectures on the topic of wars. Mostly on the theme of World War II. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of publications on the topic of the Second World War do not simply complement the official history, which is silent about many things or simply tells lies for the sake of the “correct ideological line.” but they are actually writing this story anew. That is, they work on the edge and beyond the boundaries of modern legislation banning the revision of “officially accepted and recognized interpretations of history.”

[Monster_Fat]

I read about 300 mm guns and realized there was no point in watching the video, from the word at all....

300 mm bomb launchers... not guns. For firing depth charges. It talks about various anti-submarine weapons on Italian ships. Listen more carefully.

[Vitaly Koisin]

3 guns of 100 mm = one 300 mm ;-)