Italian Cruisers at La Maddalena

[Linton]

The Italian Navy in 1942 -3 had two cruisers stationed at la maddalena in Sardinia.Which ships were they and can anybody identify the anchorage they may have used?

[patroclus]

Madelena was used as a base for many Italian ships during this period but you may be thinking of TRIESTE and GORIZIA which moved from Messina in December, 1942 and were based there until April, 1943 when air attacks sank the TRIESTE and badly damaged the GORIZIA, which was then moved to La Spezia.

I do not know where in the strait they were based but Nelson's old anchorage (Agincourt Sound) was reputed to be the best anchorage in the area.

[Linton]

Does anybody have any photographs of these two cruisers or indeed the anchorage?

[designeraccd]

A pic of Gorzia-1942-ID'd as being at Messina...........DFO ;)

[astraltrader]

Also a 1942 picture of Trieste.

[bezukhov]

I found on the net some pictures, from USAF archive, that show exactly the position of both ships. You can easily reconstruct it comparing the pictures with a google maps' view.

Heavy-cruisers Trieste and Gorizia were transferred on 9 december 1942 from Messina to La Maddalena.
Trieste was sunk 10 april 1943 while she was in "Baia Mezzo Schifo", just noth-west of Palau. Gorizia was damaged the same day in "Porto Palma", Caprera island.
It was possible to transfer her to La Spezia to avoid further bombing, but the ship was never repaired due to lack of materials and changed strategical situation.

Greetings
Michele

[Linton]

Bezukhov,do you know whether the ships had been in these positions in January 1943? I am just considering where the ill fated chariot attack of HMS P311 wouldhave been launched from if the submarine had not been lost.
Excellent find of the ships being bombed

[bezukhov]

Hi!

at the moment I don't know the position of Trieste and Gorizia in January 1943 but I will try to get some information! I don't know the history of HMS P311, can you tell me something about her? This sounds interesting...

All the best
bezukhov

[designeraccd]

Gorzia after being used as a target, so to speak.........DFO :eek:

[Linton]

HMS P311 was a T-class submarine that had been modified to accommodate three hangars for chariots. The Royal Navy had seen how successful the Italians had been using chariots and decided to mount an operation themselves. P311 was en-route to Maddalena when she was lost.

[Linton]

Bezukhov did you manage to find a position?

[bezukhov]

Hello!

as far as I know, both Trieste and Gorizia were transferred on 9 december 1942 in the places where they were sunk four months later.

Regards
bezukhov

[Linton]

Thank you very much for the information ,what is your source?.
The Italians were chronically short of fuel during the later stages of the war so unnecessary shunting around the local area would not have been feasible.

[bezukhov]

Hello Linton!

I agree with the problem of the shortage of fuel, and I think the English organized the HMS P311 attack because they assumed the two cruisers as static for a long period: they were quite sure to find the ships in the harbours.

For the source, read for example "Italian Heavy Cruisers of WWII", Warship Pictorial #23, or "La Guerra Italiana sul Mare. La Marina tra vittoria e sconfitta, 1940-1943" by Giorgio Giorgerini.

Regards
bezukhov

[Linton]

Thank you for the information.I have not heard before about the book by Giorgerini.. Is it one of those published by the Italian Naval Historical Branch?

[bezukhov]

Hi Linton!

No, Giorgerini's book was published by Mondadori in 2001. I think this book is one of the best, if you want to get an objective overall view of the war at sea as seen and fought by the Italians.

Regards
bezukhov

[Linton]

Thank you again for the information, and I will add that book to my acquisition list. To go slightly off topic can you help me find a copy of the following please:

La lotta antisommergibile, by Vitaliano Rauber

[bezukhov]

Hi Linton

I sent you a pm about the book, hope that can help you.

Regards
bezukhov