Help ID'ing Italian Submarine

[rstern]

Sirs,
The attached photo was taken from the light cruiser USS Philadelphia (CL-41) off Salerno in Sept 1943. The caption says the boat is in the process of surrendering to Allied forces. From its size and general shape, I would guess this was a member off one of the 600 classes, but I'm not certain of that. Help determining which boat is seen here would be greatly appreciated.

Robert

[astraltrader]

It looks very much to me like one of the Bandiera class of submarine - but at the moment I do not know which one.

I enclose a picture of one here so you can see the comparison....

[astraltrader]

I dont know if this had anything to do with it but on the 9th Sept 1943 during the Salerno landings an Italian submarine suddenly surfaced slap bang in the middle of the landing fleet LCI`s. Its Captain emerged and waved a white flag furiously.

This obviously caused great consternation to the invasion fleet.
An American warship - dont know which one - sent over a boarding party and the sub was eventually towed away!

[designeraccd]

Based on the pic in my 1940 JFS the hull shape and conning tower of the S. Santarosa (listed as a sister of F. Bandiera) looks completely different than the 2 pics posted!

OTOH, they do look to match the shapes shown in a drawing in CONWAY'S of the war built ACCIAIO class... The Bronzo was captured by RN minesweepers on 12-7-43, later turned over to French and used for training until scrapped in 1948. The pic of French NARVAL (x-Bronzo) in the 46-47 JFS does look to be the right shapes. (??) DFO :confused:;)

Attached is-I assume-a wartime pic of the GIADA of the Acciaio class. She was modernized post war and served in the Italian Navy until 1966.

[rstern]

I found a reference to the Italian sub that surfaced among the Allied landing craft on 9 Sept 43 in Vincent O'Hara's Dark Navy. He identifies it as R.Smg. Nichelio of the Acciaio class.

If you go to http://books.google.com/books & search on "Nichelio O'Hara" it'll take you to page 37 where there's a photo of Nichelio's other side. It certainly could be the same boat & it's at the right place & time.

[designeraccd]

The NICHELIO was ultimately given to the Soviets as a war prize in 1949. Supposedly she survived to late 50s or early 60s....rather vague! DFO ;)

[designeraccd]

Here she is surrendering to USS Ancon in Sept 1943! Mystery SOLVED by collaborative effort! DFO :D