Italia / Littorio casulaties

[mjbollinger]

Hi everyone,

On 9 September 1943 battleship Italia (ex-Littorio) was damaged by the near miss of a PC 1400FX "Fritz X" glide bomb. This was in the same attach that sunk Roma.

Can anyone provide details on the damage and casualties (killed and/or wounded) inflicted upon Italia during this attack?

Many thanks.

MB

[Vince O'Hara]

Italia was hit by one guided bomb which, according to Le navi di linea Italiana passed through the foredeck, and exploded alongside. It created a 21x9m "leak" and let in 800 tons of water. Bagnasco's book Regia Marina: Italian Battleships of WWII describes the damage as minor and the ship was able to proceed under her own power. Neither mentions casualties. He also puts the losses aboard Roma as 1,167 men and 86 officers.
Vince

[mjbollinger]

Vince,

Thanks. I appreciate the information. My conclusion is that there were probably no casualties aboard Italia from this attack. I've never able to find any evidence of such.

In contrast the losses aboard Roma are well documented.

Best regards

Marty

[Vince O'Hara]

Marty,

After more checking, apparently one man was wounded and the flooding was 1,066 tons. This is according to Erminio Bagnasco and August De Toro, Le navi da battaglia classe Littorio, Albertelli, 2008, page 293)
--Vince

[mjbollinger]

Vince -- many thanks.

Marty