The Italian Navy Rebuilt In a Decadet

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 226, 25 September 1935, Page 9

The Italian Navy Rebuilt In a Decadet

GUARDS DESTINY OF COUNTRY The inflow of Italian troops into East Africa, coinciding with the great military manoeuvres now proceeding in Northern Italy, has naturally created an impression abroad that the principles and ambitions of the Fascist State are based fundamentally on land power. That, I venture to suggest, is a delusion, writes Mr. Hector C. Bywater in the Daily Telegraph. No less an authority than Signor Mussolini assured me, over a year ago, that the destinies of his country would, in the long run, be decided by the stretch of her naval forces. "The Italian people,” ho said, “must be composed of agriculturists and sailors. The sea and the Alps are Italy’s natural defences. ’ ’

One of the outstanding achievements of Signor Mussolini is the rebuilding of the Italian Navy in little more than a decade. When he became head of the Government he found tho Navy in a thoroughly unsatisfactory state. It had few modern vessels other than destroyers, and subversive propaganda was playing havoc with the morale and discipline of the lower-deck personnel.

Indeed, as a fighting force, the Italian Navy of- 1922 carried very little weight. The formidable task of converting it . into a powerful and highly efficient weapon was begun without delay. Wisely, a start was made with the personnel. The political purge eliminated large numbers of officers—• many on the score of ago or incompetence—and all the malcontent seamen.

The gaps thus left were soon filled by enthusiastic youths from tho naval academies and training schools. In 1922 over 30 per cent of Italian naval recruits were illiterate—a huge body of men peculiarly receptive to “Left Wing” propaganda. This year the percentage of illiterates is down to 10, and a few years hence this element will probably have disappeared altogether.

Complete Preparation

The Ministry of Marine, the Naval. Staff, tho dockyards and all other naval establishments were completely reorganised. Millions of pounds and an immense amount of labour were expended in this preliminary work beforo the keel of any new ship was laid. The process of rejuvenation took three years, and then, in 1925, the first big scheme of naval construction was launched.

It found, Italian shipbuilders and engineers ready to meet every demand. They produced designs which compare with, and in some cases surpass, the best types built for other navies. Great importance was attached to speed, in. view of the strategical and tactical conditions which must govern Italian operations in any campaign within the foreseeable future.

Fast Ships As a result Italy will soon possess 19 cruisers swifter than any in tho world —several of them have exceeded 49 knots —and 55 destroyers with a uniform speed of 3S knots. Including the ten -which have just been authorised, the number of Italian submarines will eventually bo 77, tho groat majority of which arc of up-to-date construction.

But tho now Italian navy is not to consist solely of cruisers and “rnosquit o’' craft. There will shortly be launched, at Genoa and Trieste respectively, the two largest battleships in tho world —Littorio and Vittorio Veneto, each of 35,000 tons, to have a speed of 30 knots, and an armament o? 16in. or loin. guns. Further, four older Dreadnought-type battleships ara being thoroughly- modernised and their speed raised from 22 to 2G knots. AVlien all building and reconstruction plans now in train are completed, the Italian navy will be able to muster the following force:—Six capital ships, seven Sin. gun cruisers, 12 Gin. gun cruisers, 100 destroyers aud nearly' SO submarines. With few exceptions, this armada will consist of ships built to tho latest designs and endowned with a collective mobility superior to that of any other fleet.

Evidence of Efficiency Early this year tho personnel numbered 51,800, including 3336 officers. To this figure should be added 12,500 officers and men who without regular naval rank, have been, trained in naval duties, and behind these, again, is a large reserve. At a conservative estimate Italy is in a position to mobilise 85,000 men for service with her fleet at short notice.

It is claimed, and I believe with truth, that Italian warships spend at least as much time exercising at sea as the vessels of any other navy. At Gacta last year I saw the first squadron at work, and I was much impressed by the evidence of all-round efficiency, especially in the eugineroom and torpedo department. I saw for myself that in armament and fire-con-trol methods the Italians have little to learn.