Loss of Submarine Luigi Settembrini

[Mark C. Jones]

I am seeking information about the accidental loss of the Italian submarine Luigi Settembrini on 15 November 1944. The sub was on its way west across the Atlantic to be used as an anti-submarine training target for Allied escorts when it was accidentally rammed by the U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Frament (DE-671) at 0223 hrs 15 November 1944. The loss occurred at 36.11n/19.45W, about 700 nautical miles west of Gibraltar. 14 of the 42 men on the sub were rescued. However, this did not include the three US Navy liaison personnel.

Can anyone direct me to a source that gives additional detail about the sinking, and mentions the presence of a USN liaison party on the sub? If so, you can reply to the forum or send me a private message.

Thanks,

Mark C. Jones

[craigch]

Mark...

One of my cousins noticed your posting regarding the Lugini Settembrini. My father, Lt. Jg. Samuel Bifarella USNR was the senior liaison aboard the sub and lost his life in the incident you mentioned.

I have information that should be of interest to you but before I get it all together, please let me know if you are still interested in learning more and your regular email address. It's easier to communicate that way.

Thanks.

Craig (Bifarella) Chambers
craigch@msn.com

[ekd]

It's great to read a post like this, which ends up with people being joined together again with a personal objective, albeit very sad.

It just shows what a really good site this is.

Good luck to you both, in your endevours to find some meaningful answers.

Best regards

[Platon Alexiades]

Hello Mark and Craig,

The American liaison team on board SETTEMBRINI at the moment of her loss consisted of:
Lt. (jg) Samuel Peter Bifarella, D-V(S), USNR
Radioman third class Caspar George DiMaggio 719 18 91, USN
Signalman second class Daniel D. Esposito 607 91 88, USN

If you wish, I have further information, mostly from American sources but collected at the Ufficio Storico Della Marina Militare.

Best regards,

Platon

[Platon Alexiades]

Erratum:
Signalman second class Daniel D. Esposito 607 71 88, USN

[Mark C. Jones]

Hello Craig and Platon,

Craig, I sent a message to your e-mail address this morning. Platon, I welcome additional information about the 3 man liaison team on the Luigi Settembrini as well as any other Italian subs with either RN or USN liaison teams. Platon, you have my e-mail address which is the easiest way to reach me. EKD, yes, the internet is a powerful tool for researchers and others with an interest in naval history to find information that would otherwise be difficult if not impossible to find. I enjoy visiting the WNSF and have benefitted on multiple occasions from the contributions of other forum members.

Mark

[crolick]

Thank you guys for interesting piece of history :)
Were there any other cases of USN liaison teams?


Cheers,
Andrzej