American naval attaché at Rome, Italy reported in April 1941 that the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto (1) was present at the Battle of Cape Matapan on 28 March and was damaged by one torpedo hit and 4 or 5 38.1cm/15” shells. It was believed that she would return to Taranto. Needing 2-3 months to be repair the considerable damage would she on short notice go to the Trieste shipyards.
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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