How Italian Navy Has Fared

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 91, 18 April 1941, Page 6

How Italian Navy Has Fared

Since the loss of their tii>t (Submarine three, weeks after Italy's entry into Iho war, its naval story ha? born a string of disasters for the Italians. While doing their best to follow the rule that a naval force opposed t<» a superior force should avoid action and keep itself 'in being" at all costs, their ships have liecn forced into action seven times, tlurv in major engagements. The table shows how they have fared: —

The Kalians in addition -have also losi other de-trovers, notably in the Red Sea, at least 21.1 submarine.- and sundry supply ships and transports.

Date Place ! British Forte Italian Los we British Losses ' I July 9 . Near Italian roast Mediterranean Destroyer and sub- None (exact position patrol marine funk, cruinor disclosed) scr hit by air torpedo (Main units of the Italian fleet fled for home under cover of a smoke screen) July 20 North-west of Crete H.M.A.S. Sydney Cruiser Barlolomeo None and small ' des- sunk I rover force October 12 South-east of H.M.S. AJax alone Three destroyers None Sicily sunk November 11 Terar.io. on heel of Fleet Air Arm Three battleships Two aircraft Italian "boot" working from ves- crippled, two cruiscls in central sers blown up, Mediterranean two fleet auxiliaries sunk November 21 Near Sardinia H.M.S. Renow n and Cruiser set oil fire. Cruiser Berwick escort patrol two destroyers hit. but able to sunk remain In service March 29-30 Cape Matapan Three battleships. Three 10 000-ton One aircraft one aircraft car- cruisers, one 6in Her. four cruisers gun cruiser and and destroyers tuo destroyers sunk: new Ijtitono class battleship A: April 15 .. Between Sicily and Incompletely speel- Three destroyers Destroyer Mohawk Tripoli fled and five supply sunk ships sunk