Italian navy wanted to convert merchant ships into aircraft carriers in 1941

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American naval attaché at Rome, Italy reported in September 1941 that the Italian liner ss Roma and another ships were to be converted into aircraft carriers in docks at the west side of the harbour of Genoa.

Note

1. Launched by Ansaldo Shipyards, Genoa, Italy on 26 February 1926, completed in September 1926, acquired by Royal Italian navy in 1941, conversion into aircraft carier Aquila for 90& completed, Republican Italian Navy/German hands in 1943, partiall sunk in a manned torpedo attack in the night of 18-19 April 1945, refloated, towed to La Spezia in 1948, renamed Pontonne P227 and by 1952 breaking up completed.

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.