American naval attaché at Rome, Italy reported on 19 May 1937 No.283 that in the discussion of the Italian Naval Budget before the Senate on 15 May Undersecretary of State admiral Cavagnari (1) stated that within a few next months a new squadron of 4 Oriani type destroyers (2) were to be commissioned. This confirmed the earlier estimates of the naval attaché.
Notes
1. Domenico Cavagnari (20 July 1876 Genoa-2 November 1966 Rome) chief of staf of the navy 1934-1940, dismissed after the lost Battle of Taranto.
2. Oriani or Poeti-class preceded by Maestrale-class succeeded by Soldati-class.
Source
National Archives USA. Record Group 38: Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Series: Secret Naval Attaches Reports. Estimate of potential military strength (pt.). Summaries. Reports from London, Paris, Brussels, Rome and Berlin. Roll M975-001.
No comments:
Post a Comment