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The failure of MAS?

Dili

Member
I am checking the MAS successes and seldom they have been efficient where it appear they should in Sicilian channel.

- MAS 532 hits Sydney Star in Operation Substance July 41

- some eventual success in operation Pedestal.

I know that Italians considered MAS a bad sea boat hence the reason they adopted the German build hull of Yugoslav torpedo boats that originated the MS boat.
 

1089maul

Member
Afternoon Dili,
If you get a chance the read the book The Regia Marina’s MAS Boats 1915-1945 by T Garth Connelly. It gives a concise history and development of the boats including their operational deployment. Unfortunately I cannot attach a photo of the book!
Their success can be considered sporadic not due to the bravery of their crews but more to their standard and deployment. You may know that they had successes as far away as the Black Sea against the Russian Navy!
Regards to all,
Bob
 

Dili

Member
Hi Bob,

What do you mean by standard and deployment?

For example i think as to be expected some success at time of Crete with boats from Dodecanese.
 

1089maul

Member
Dili,
Sorry for the confusion. By standard I mean their quality. Similar to the submarines, there are many classes of MAS, some good and some not so. When deployed aggressively on the offensive they achieved success but appear to have been utilised for local patrols and on occasions as escorts.
Bob
 

Wargames

Member
MAS boats were effective only a few months out of the year (generally from June to the end of October). They were also limited to doing their hunting off of lighthouses by which to see by. Although equipped with electric motors and hydrophones to listen for British transports, if they heard one and started the pursuit engines, it drowned out the hydrophones which then became useless. Finally, MAS boats operated in squadrons of four able to launch 8 torpedoes. My studies show they needed 10 torpedoes for a hit. Close, but no cigar.
 
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