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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