American naval attaché at Rome, Italy reported in April 1941 that during the battle of Cape Matapan on 28 March admiral Jachino on board was of the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto.(1) The Ministry of Marine received a day after the battle a report. A good picture of what happened during the battle was obtained by intercepting messages between the British ships. The loss of three cruisers and two destroyers was admitted but the loss of a battleship denied.
Note
1. Vittorio Veneto. Building ordered on 10 June 1934, laid down by Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (C.R.D.A.), Trieste, Italy on 28 October 1934, paid off on 3 January 1948, launched on 25 July 1937, commissioned on 28 April 1940, allocated to the United Kingdom as war prize, decommissioned and stricken on 1 February 1948 and broken up early 1950s. Of the Littorio-class preceded by the Andrea Doria-class and planned Francesco Caracciolo-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.
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