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Monday, 25 December 2023

Italian battleship Littorio damaged in British air attack on Taranto in November 1940

Original postcard Chocolate La Estrella

An Italian officer commanding an anti aircraft battery (at Bari?) now with leave stated that a naval officer said that the Littorio(1) was hit by 3 torpedoes (2 forward, 1 aft) at Taranto. The hit after caused the most damage. Three other torpedoes passed under the ship striking a dock.

Note

1. Part of Littorio of Vittorio Veneto-class fast battleships, preceded by planned Francesco Caracciolo-class and realized Andrea Doria-class, building ordered on 10 June 1934, laid down by Ansaldo, Genoa Sestri Ponente, Italy on 28 October 1934, launched on 22 August 1937, commissioned on 6 May 1940, rewarded as war prize to the USA in 1947, decommissioned and stricken on 1 June 1948 and broken up at La Spezia, Italy between 1952-1954. She was damaged in the night of 10-11 November 1940 by British Swordfish torpedo bombers on Taranto.

Source

National Archives USA. Record Group 38: Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Series: Secret Naval Attaches Reports. Report dated Naval Attache at Rome dated dated 31 January 1941 No. 59-41. M975-002.

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