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 the construction of the battleships Littorio (2) and Vittorio Veneto (3) was progressing rapidly. The American Assistent Naval Attaché recently sighted the Littorio at the San Marco Yards and saw intensive work in progress for preparing her intended launching on 25 July. Reliable sources reported the same for her sister ship.
that the modernized battleships Cavour (4) and Cesare (5) would enter the service early in the summer. The Naval Attaché estimated this earlier.
that the modernisation of the old battleships Duilio (6) and Doria (7) was begun. The Naval Attaché confirmed this dealing with the Doria at Trieste and thought that also was started with the Duilio at Genoa.
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. Conte di Cavour. Laid down by Arsenale di La Spezia, La Spezia, Italy on 10 August 1910, launched on 10 August 1911, completed on 1 April 1915, refitted between October 1933-June 1937, captured by Gernany on 10 September 1943, damaged in an Allied Air attack early 1945, capsized a week later and broken up in 1946. Part of Conte di Cavour-class preceded by Dante Alighieri succeeded by Andrea Doria-class. Designed by rear admiral Edoardo Masdea as an answer on the French Courbet-class.
5. Giulio Cesare. Laid down at the shipyard of Gio. Ansaldo&C., Genoa, Italy on 24 June 1910, launched on 15 October a year later, completed on 14 May 1914, commissioned on 7 June was she decommissioned on 18 May 1928. Between 1933 and 1937 modernized/rebuilt was she again commissioned on 3 June 1937, since early 1942 training ship, decommissioned on 15 December 1948 and handed over to the Soviet navy on 4 February 1949. Renamed Novorossiysk and used as a training ship until she sunk on 29 October 1955 due to a (German) mine explosion. Stricken on 24 February 1956, salvaged on 4 May 1957 and broken up. Part of Conte di Cavour-class preceded by Dante Alighieri succeeded by Andrea Doria-class. Designed by rear admiral Edoardo Masdea as an answer on the French Courbet-class.
6. Caio Duillio. Andrea Doria-class battleships, preceded by Conte di Cavour-class, succeeded by Littorio-class (realized) and Francesco Caraccioli-class (planned), laid down by Regio Cantiere di Castellammare di Stabia on 24 February 1912, launched on 24 April 1913, completed on 10 May 1915, stricken on 15 September 1956 and broken up in 1957.
7. Andrea Doria. Andrea Doria-class battleships, preceded by Conte di Cavour-class, succeeded by Littorio-class (realized) and Francesco Caraccioli-class (planned), laid down by Arsenale di La Spezia on 24 March 1912, launched on 30 March 1913, completed on 13 March 1916, decommissioned on 16 September 1956, stricken on 1 November 1956 and sold to be broken up.
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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