American naval attaché at Rome, Italy reported in October 1941 that according to eyewitness reports at Naples were lying the Italian battleships Veneto (1) and Littorio (2), 10-15 destroyers or torpedo boats and many merchant vessels with much activity in and out of the harbour.
Notes
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.
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.
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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