The 3.Abt.Sk1 at Berlin, Germany asked on 23 November 1938 in her letter dated 23 November 1938 833/239 the German naval attaché in Italy (1) if he was familiar with the armament of Italian merchant ships. The newspaper Daily Telegraph dated 5 November reported that Italian cargo and passenger ships executed their trials with guns on board and even held target practices. When the ships were commissioned was the armament removed and stored. The attaché captain Werner Lange wrote the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine on 26 Jnauary 1939 that he received confidential information from the head cabinet of the Italian navy R. Oliva.(2) Oliva wrote on 23 January that the gun mountings on board of governement auxiliary ships after completion were tested consisting of going to sea and firing some test shots. Afterwards were the guns removed.
Notes
1. Werner Lange (18 July 1893 Altenburg-19 November 1965 Eutin), ending his career in the rank of vice admiral. Naval Attaché at Rome between 22 September 1936-2 April 1939.
2. Romeo Oliva (1 January 1889 Vallo della Luciana-17 May 1975) Rome, head of the Cabinet of the Minister of the Navy 1939-1939, since January 1939 rear admiral.
Source
Bundesarchive. RM 12-II/195. German naval attaché in Italy.
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