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Italian Submarines in World War Two Statistics

by Jim H

Italian Submarines in WWII

The importance of submarines was always known to the Regia Marina. Italy had one of the largest submarine force in the world. At the beginning of the war, Italy had 115 submarines of which only seven could be considered out of date. Italian submarines patrolled the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Red Sea, the Black Sea, and even the Indian Ocean. Their success rate was diminished by a number of factors. One significant reason is their main operational area of the Mediterranean. Enemy warships heavily guarded the convoys, making it difficult to find easy targets.

The smg. Ambra after its commissioning in 1936.

The smg. Ambra after its commissioning in 1936.

Submarine Limitations

One was the fact that most of the submarines were technologically inferior to the Germans. The Italian smg’s did not possess an adequate snorkel for diesel operations underwater and their profile was so big that they were easily detected in the clear Mediterranean waters.

Italian submarines in World War Two did not operate well in the “wolf pack” style so a large part of their operations was conducted independently, especially in the Atlantic and South Atlantic.

Related: Whitehead Torpedo: Its Origin and Italian Adaptation.

The Regia Marina was also at fault because of their strict patrol orders of its Navy. Patrols for all navy vessels were laid out prior to the ships leaving port. To deviate from the set patrol was an extremely difficult task to accomplish and hampered any advantage the submarines may have gained by choosing its own course.

An Italian submariner acts as lookout in this 1941 photograph from the Archivio Centrale dello Stato.

An Italian submariner acts as a lookout in this 1941 photograph from the Archivio Centrale dello Stato.

Magnetic Torpedo

One aspect of the Italian submarine that was commendable was their advanced Torpedo design. Professor Carlo Calosi was the inventor of the magnetically activated torpedo, which would explode as it passed under a ship’s keel. That may be one of the reasons why Italian submarines had such a good attack/kill ratio.

During the Italian Armistice, Calosi, by order of the Italian Navy Experimental Weapons Division, gave the Allies a countermeasure which disrupted the magnetic field of the torpedo, which the German began using by the thousands with their U-Boats by the end of ’43. This countermeasure was placed on Merchant Ships rendering the torpedoes virtually harmless.

High Casualties

Italian submarines suffered a heavy casualty rate as Allied ASW grew more advanced and by September 8, 1943, Italy had only 54 out of 184 submarines built.

At the end of the armistice, Italy was able to keep only 2 submarines, the Smg Giada and Smg Vortice.

An Italian submarine crew member enters through a watertight door in this 1941 photograph. Image: Archivio Centrale dello Stato

An Italian submarine crew member enters a watertight door in this 1941 photograph. Image: Archivio Centrale dello Stato

Submarine Statistics

Statistic Total
Total Active Boats (1940) 115
Merchant Ships Sunk 129
Merchant Tonnage Sunk 668,311
Total Missions 1,750
Warships Sunk 13
Warship Tonnage 24,554
Total Attacks 173
Total Torpedo Launches 427
Submarines Lost in Mediterranean 88
Submarines Lost Elsewhere 40
Completed Miles 2,500,000
Total Days at Sea 24,000
Submariners Killed in Action 3,021

Italian Submarine Successes by Boat

Submarine Sunk Warships Sunk Merchants Tonnage Sunk Warship Tonnage Damaged Merchant Tonnage Damaged Total Damage Total Tonnage
Da Vinci 116,680 116,680 116,680
Tazzoli 96,550 96,550 96,550
Scire’ 3,502 3,502 67,095 20,592 87,687 91,189
Barbarigo 39,300 39,300 8,307 8,307 47,607
Torelli 42,871 42,871 42,871
Morosini 40,927 40,927 40,927
Cappellini 31,648 31,648 31,648
Finzi 30,760 30,760 30,760
Archimede 29,541 29,541 29,541
Cagni 5,849 5,849 22,048 22,048 27,897
Calvi 27,055 27,055 27,055
Dandolo 13,361 13,361 5,450 3,768 9,218 22,579
Argo 20,924 20,924 1,337 1,337 22,261
Axum 4,200 4,200 8,000 9,514 17,514 21,714
Marconi 1,375 16,298 17,673 2,589 2,589 20,262
Bianchi 20,065 20,065 20,065
Dessie’ 7,516 7,516 12,291 12,291 19,807
Ambra 5,450 1,493 6,943 11,599 11,599 18,542
Alagi 10,470 10,470 8,000 8,000 18,470
Platino 925 925 16,632 16,632 17,557
Malaspina 16,384 16,384 16,384
Giuliani 16,103 16,103 16,103
Neghelli 4,290 7,264 11,554 11,554
Bagnolini 4,180 6,962 11,142 11,142
Emo 10,958 10,958 10,958
Baracca 8,987 8,987 8,987
Mocenigo 2,771 2,771 5,450 5,450 8,221
Galilei 8,215 8,215 8,215
Naiade 8,029 8,029 8,029
Nereide 8,029 8,029 8,029
Brin 7,241 7,241 7,241
Veniero 4,987 4,987 4,987
Otaria 4,662 4,662 4,662
Guglielmotti 4,008 4,008 4,008
Ondina 3,805 3,805 3,805
Tarantini 3,039 3,039 3,039
Torricelli 1,690 1,690 1,105 1,105 2,795
Delfino 2,116 2,116 2,116
Nani 356 1,583 1,939 1,939
Capponi 1,888 1,888 1,888
Diaspro 1,650 1,650 1,650
Toti 1,573 1,573 1,573
Marcello 1,550 1,550 1,550
Aradam 1,340 1,340 1,340
Ascianghi 850 389 1,239 1,239
Mameli 1,044 1,044 1,044
Topazio 691 691 691
Acciaio 409 409 409
Corallo 205 205 205
Nichelio 90 90 90
Total 24,554 668,311 692,865 102,377 122,633 225,010 917,875
Commander Enzo Grossi of the smg. Barbarigo looks through the periscope off the coast of South America in May 1942. Image: Centro Archivio dello Stato.

Commander Enzo Grossi of the smg. Barbarigo looks through the periscope off the coast of South America in May 1942. Image: Centro Archivio dello Stato.

Italian Submarine Commander Successes

Commander Sunk Warships Sunk Merchants Tonnage Sunk Warship Tonnage Damaged Merchant Tonnage Damaged Total Damage Total Tonnage
Gazzana-Priaroggia 90,595 90,595 90,595
Borghese 2,444 2,444 67,095 20,592 87,687 90,131
Fecia Di Cossato 86,435 86,435 86,435
Fraternale 35,600 35,600 35,600
Rigoli 15,584 15,584 16,632 16,632 32,216
Longanesi-Cattani 30,882 30,882 30,882
Roselli-Lorenzini 5,759 5,759 22,048 22,048 27,807
De Giacomo 25,382 25,382 25,382
Saccardo 23,955 23,955 23,955
Olivieri 21,893 21,893 21,893
Ferrini 4,200 4,200 8,000 9,514 17,514 21,714
Giudice 21,496 21,496 21,496
Giovannini 20,065 20,065 20,065
Scandola 7,516 7,516 12,291 12,291 19,807
Arillo 5,450 1,493 6,943 11,599 11,599 18,542
Puccini 10,470 10,470 8,000 8,000 18,470
Todaro 17,687 17,687 17,687
Longobardo 17,489 17,489 17,489
Bruno 16,103 16,103 16,103
Gigli 15,858 15,858 15,858
Pollina 13,234 13,234 2,589 2,589 15,823
Grossi 10,309 10,309 5,052 5,052 15,361
Revedin 13,961 13,961 13,961
Murzi 13,407 13,407 13,407
Ferracuti 4,290 7,264 11,554 11,554
Tosoni-Pittoni 4,180 6,962 11,142 11,142
Liannazza 11,048 11,048 11,048
Boris 6,761 6,761 3,768 3,768 10,529
Raccanelli 10,115 10,115 10,115
Rossetto 9,264 9,264 9,264
Bertarelli 8,553 8,553 8,553
Leoni 8,406 8,406 8,406
Nardi 8,215 8,215 8,215
Calda 8,030 8,030 8,030
Baroni 8,029 8,029 8,029
Spano 8,029 8,029 8,029
Prini 7,978 7,978 7,978
Auconi 6,600 6,600 6,600
Crepas 5,066 5,066 1,337 1,337 6,403
Longhi 5,450 5,450 5,450
Turcio 5,450 5,450 5,450
D’Alessandro 5,327 5,327 5,327
Caridi 5,162 5,162 5,162
Petroni 4,987 4,987 4,987
Vocaturo 4,662 4,662 4,662
Chialamberto 1,375 3,064 4,439 4,439
Tucci 4,008 4,008 4,008
Dal Pozzo 3,805 3,805 3,805
Ghileri 3,255 3,255 3,255
Iaschi 3,039 3,039 3,039
Pelosi 1,690 1,690 1,105 1,105 2,795
Aicardi 2,116 2,116 2,116
Polizzi 356 1,583 1,939 1,939
Romei 1,888 1,888 1,888
Dotta 1,650 1,650 1,650
Bandini 1,573 1,573 1,573
Teppati 1,550 1,550 1,550
Monechi 1,518 1,518 1,518
Gran 1,340 1,340 1,340
Agostini 1,253 1,253 1,253
Pini 1,058 1,058 1,058
Maiorana 1,044 1,044 1,044
Patrelli-Campagnano 925 925 925
Erler 850 850 850
Berengan 691 691 691
Viani 434 434 434
Beltrami 409 409 409
Serio 389 389 389
Andreani 205 205 205
Celli 90 90 90
Total 24,554 668,311 692,865 102,377 122,633 225,010 917,875
The submarine Scirè as it looked on 06 January 1938.

The submarine Scirè as it looked on 06 January 1938.

List of Vessels Attacked

Submarine Commander Date Area Target Type Tonnage Results Method
Bagnolini Tosoni-Pittoni 12/6/40 Med Calypso Cruiser 4,180 Sunk Torpedo
Naiade Baroni 12/6/40 Med Orkanger Tanker 8,029 Sunk Torpedo
Nereide Spano 12/6/40 Med Orkanger Tanker 8,029 Damaged Torpedo
Galilei Nardi 16/6/40 Indian J.Stove Tanker 8,215 Sunk Torpedo
Torricelli Pelosi 22/6/40 Indian Kartoum DD 1,690 Sunk Gunfire
Torricelli Pelosi 22/6/40 Indian Shoreham Escort 1,105 Damaged Gunfire
Capponi Romei 23/6/40 Med Elgo Merchant 1,888 Sunk Torpedo
Scire’ Pini 10/7/40 Med Cheik Merchant 1,058 Sunk Torpedo
Marconi Chialamberto 11/7/40 Med Escort DD 1,375 Sunk Torpedo
Tarantini Iaschi 11/7/40 Med Berne Tanker 3,039 Sunk Torpedo
Mameli Maiorana 1/8/40 Med Roula Merchant 1,044 Sunk Gunfire
Malaspina Leoni 12/8/40 Atlantic British Fame Merchant 8,406 Sunk Torpedo
Delfino Aicardi 15/8/40 Med Helli Cruiser 2,116 Sunk Torpedo
Barbarigo Ghileri 19/8/40 Atlantic Aguila Merchant 3,255 Damaged Gunfire
Dandolo Boris 21/8/40 Atlantic Hermes Tanker 3,768 Damaged Torpedo
Dandolo Boris 26/8/40 Atlantic Firecrest Merchant 5,394 Sunk Torpedo
Guglielmotti Tucci 6/9/40 Indian Atlas Tanker 4,008 Sunk Torpedo
Emo Liannazza 14/9/40 Atlantic Saint Agnes Merchant 5,199 Sunk Torpedo
Bagnolini Tosoni-Pittoni 18/9/40 Atlantic Cabo Tortosa Merchant 3,302 Sunk Torpedo
Marconi Chialamberto 19/9/40 Atlantic J. De Carranza Aux. 330 Sunk Torpedo
Baracca Bertarelli 1/10/40 Atlantic A.Nicolaos Merchant 3,687 Sunk Gunfire
Nani Polizzi 5/10/40 Atlantic Kingston Sapphire Escort 356 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Raccanelli 12/10/40 Atlantic Orao Merchant 5,135 Sunk Torpedo
Cappellini Todaro 15/10/40 Atlantic Kabalo Merchant 5,186 Sunk Gunfire
Toti Bandini 15/10/40 Med Triad Sub 1,573 Sunk Gunfire
Nani Polizzi 27/10/40 Atlantic Meggie Merchant 1,583 Sunk Gunfire
Marconi Chialamberto 9/11/40 Atlantic Vingaland Merchant 2,734 Sunk Torpedo
Baracca Bertarelli 18/11/40 Atlantic L.Noller Merchant 4,866 Sunk Torpedo
Argo Crepas 1/12/40 Atlantic Saguenay DD 1,337 Damaged Torpedo
Argo Crepas 5/12/40 Med Silverpine Merchant 5,066 Sunk Torpedo
Neghelli Ferracuti 13/12/40 Med Coventry Cruiser 4,290 Damaged Torpedo
Veniero Petroni 18/12/40 Atlantic Anastassia Merchant 2,883 Sunk Torpedo
Bagnolini Tosoni-Pittoni 19/12/40 Atlantic Amicus Merchant 3,660 Sunk Torpedo
Calvi Caridi 20/12/40 Atlantic Carlton Merchant 5,162 Sunk Torpedo
Mocenigo Agostini 21/12/40 Atlantic Mangen Merchant 1,253 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Raccanelli 27/12/40 Atlantic Ardanbhan Merchant 4,980 Sunk Torpedo
Cappellini Todaro 5/1/41 Atlantic Shakespeare Merchant 5,029 Sunk Gunfire
Neghelli Ferracuti 9/1/41 Med Clan Cumming Merchant 7,264 Damaged Torpedo
Cappellini Todaro 14/1/41 Atlantic Eumaeus Merchant 7,472 Sunk Torpedo
Torelli Longobardo 15/1/41 Atlantic Brask Merchant 4,079 Sunk Torpedo
Torelli Longobardo 15/1/41 Atlantic Nemea Merchant 5,101 Sunk Torpedo
Torelli Longobardo 16/1/41 Atlantic N.Filinos Merchant 3,111 Sunk Torpedo
Marcello Teppati 20/1/41 Atlantic Portugal Merchant 1,550 Sunk Gunfire
Torelli Longobardo 28/1/41 Atlantic Urla Merchant 5,198 Sunk Torpedo
Dandolo Boris 31/1/41 Atlantic Pizarro Merchant 1,367 Sunk Torpedo
Bianchi Giovannini 14/2/41 Atlantic Belcrest Merchant 4,517 Sunk Torpedo
Bianchi Giovannini 23/2/41 Atlantic Manistee Merchant 5,360 Sunk Torpedo
Bianchi Giovannini 24/2/41 Atlantic Linaria Merchant 3,385 Sunk Torpedo
Bianchi Giovannini 27/2/41 Atlantic Baltistan Merchant 6,803 Sunk Torpedo
Emo Roselli-Lorenzini 14/3/41 Atlantic Western Chief Merchant 5,759 Sunk Torpedo
Veniero Petroni 24/3/41 Atlantic A.Maersk Merchant 2,104 Sunk Torpedo
Ambra Arillo 31/3/41 Med Bonaventure Cruiser 5,450 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 15/4/41 Atlantic Aurillac Merchant 4,633 Sunk Torpedo
Marconi Pollina 3/5/41 Atlantic Cairndale Tanker 8,129 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 7/5/41 Atlantic Fernlane Merchant 4,310 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 9/5/41 Atlantic A.Olsen Tanker 8,817 Sunk Torpedo
Marconi Pollina 1/6/41 Atlantic Exportador Aux. 318 Sunk Torpedo
Marconi Pollina 6/6/41 Atlantic Baron Lovat Merchant 3,395 Sunk Torpedo
Marconi Pollina 6/6/41 Atlantic Taberg Merchant 1,392 Sunk Torpedo
Brin Longanesi-Cattani 13/6/41 Atlantic Djurdjura Merchant 3,460 Sunk Torpedo
Brin Longanesi-Cattani 13/6/41 Atlantic E.Kyriakides Merchant 3,781 Sunk Torpedo
Ondina Dal Pozzo 20/6/41 Med Refah Merchant 3,805 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Calda 28/6/41 Atlantic Auris Tanker 8,030 Sunk Torpedo
Malaspina Prini 14/7/41 Atlantic Nikoklis Merchant 3,576 Sunk Torpedo
Morosini Fraternale 14/7/41 Atlantic Lady Somers Merchant 8,194 Sunk Torpedo
Morosini Fraternale 14/7/41 Atlantic R.De Larrinaga Merchant 5,358 Sunk Torpedo
Malaspina Prini 15/7/41 Atlantic Guelma Merchant 4,402 Sunk Torpedo
Torelli De Giacomo 21/7/41 Atlantic I.Knudsen Tanker 8,913 Sunk Torpedo
Diaspro Dotta 22/7/41 Med Nestor DD   1,650 Damaged Torpedo
Barbarigo Murzi 25/7/41 Atlantic Macon Merchant 5,135 Sunk Torpedo
Barbarigo Murzi 26/7/41 Atlantic Hornstell Tanker 8,272 Sunk Torpedo
Marconi Pollina 14/8/41 Atlantic Sud Merchant 2,589 Damaged Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 18/8/41 Atlantic Sildra Tanker 7,313 Sunk Torpedo
Baracca Viani 5/9/41 Atlantic Trinidad Merchant 434 Sunk Gunfire
Topazio Berengan 10/9/41 Med Murefte Merchant 691 Sunk Torpedo
Scire’ Borghese 20/9/41 Med Denbydale Tanker 2,145 Damaged SLC
Scire’ Borghese 20/9/41 Med Durham Merchant 10,893 Damaged SLC
Scire’ Borghese 20/9/41 Med Fiona Shell Tanker 2,444 Sunk SLC
Ascianghi Serio 21/9/41 Med Antar Merchant 389 Sunk Torpedo
Dandolo Auconi 4/11/41 Med Castillo Oropesa Merchant 6,600 Sunk Torpedo
Scire’ Borghese 19/12/41 Med Jervis DD 1,695 Damaged SLC
Scire’ Borghese 19/12/41 Med Queen Elizabeth BB   32,700 Damaged SLC
Scire’ Borghese 19/12/41 Med Sagona Tanker 7,554 Damaged SLC
Scire’ Borghese 19/12/41 Med Valiant BB 32,700 Damaged SLC
Barbarigo Grossi 26/1/42 Atlantic Navermer Merchant 5,473 Sunk Torpedo
Torelli De Giacomo 20/2/42 Atlantic Scottish Star Merchant 7,224 Sunk Torpedo
Torelli De Giacomo 25/2/42 Atlantic Esso Copenhagen Tanker 9,245 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Longanesi-Cattani 28/2/42 Atlantic Everasma Merchant 3,644 Sunk Torpedo
Finzi Giudice 6/3/42 Atlantic Melpomene Tanker 7,011 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 6/3/42 Atlantic Astrea Merchant 1,406 Sunk Torpedo
Finzi Giudice 7/3/42 Atlantic Skane Merchant 4,528 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 7/3/42 Atlantic Tonsbergfijord Merchant 3,156 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 9/3/42 Atlantic Montevideo Merchant 5,785 Sunk Torpedo
Finzi Giudice 10/3/42 Atlantic C.Racine Tanker 9,957 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 11/3/42 Atlantic Cygnet Merchant 3,628 Sunk Torpedo
Morosini Fraternale 12/3/42 Atlantic Stangarth Merchant 5,966 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 13/3/42 Atlantic Daytonian Merchant 6,434 Sunk Torpedo
Mocenigo Monechi 14/3/42 Med S.te Marcelle Motor/sail 1,518 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 15/3/42 Atlantic Athelqueen Tanker 8,780 Sunk Torpedo
Morosini Fraternale 16/3/42 Atlantic Oscilla Tanker 6,341 Sunk Torpedo
Morosini Fraternale 23/3/42 Atlantic Pederbogen Tanker 9,741 Sunk Torpedo
Calvi Olivieri 29/3/42 Atlantic Stredinnik Merchant 4,589 Sunk Torpedo
Calvi Olivieri 31/3/42 Atlantic Mc Cobb Merchant 7,452 Sunk Torpedo
Aradam Gran 6/4/42 Med Havock DD 1,340 Sunk Torpedo
Calvi Olivieri 11/4/42 Atlantic Balkis Tanker 2,161 Sunk Torpedo
Calvi Olivieri 11/4/42 Atlantic Ben Brush Tanker 7,691 Sunk Torpedo
Corallo Andreani 28/4/42 Med Dar-es-Salam Motor/sail 138 Sunk Gunfire
Corallo Andreani 28/4/42 Med Tunis Motor/sail 41 Sunk Gunfire
Barbarigo Grossi 18/5/42 Atlantic Lyra Merchant 5,052 Damaged Torpedo
Cappellini Revedin 18/5/42 Atlantic Tinsaren Tanker 5,747 Sunk Torpedo
Otaria Vocaturo 20/5/42 Atlantic Starcross Merchant 4,662 Sunk Torpedo
Barbarigo Grossi 29/5/42 Atlantic Charlbury Merchant 4,836 Sunk Torpedo
Cappellini Revedin 31/5/42 Atlantic Dinsdale Tanker 8,214 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Longanesi-Cattani 2/6/42 Atlantic R.M.Stuart Motor/sail 1,087 Sunk Torpedo
Corallo Andreani 7/6/42 Med Hadym’Hamned Motor/sail  26 Sunk Gunfire
Da Vinci Longanesi-Cattani 7/6/42 Atlantic Chile Merchant 6,956 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Longanesi-Cattani 10/6/42 Atlantic Alioth Merchant 5,483 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Longanesi-Cattani 13/6/42 Atlantic Clan Mc Quarry Merchant 6,471 Sunk Torpedo
Archimede Gazzana-Priaroggia 15/6/42 Atlantic Cardina Merchant 5,586 Sunk Torpedo
Morosini D’Alessandro 30/6/42 Atlantic Tysa Merchant 5,327 Sunk Torpedo
Alagi Puccini 12/7/42 Med Antares Tanker 3,123 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 1/8/42 Atlantic Kastor Merchant 5,497 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 6/8/42 Atlantic Havsten Tanker 6,161 Sunk Torpedo
Giuliani Bruno 10/8/42 Atlantic Medon Merchant 5,444 Sunk Torpedo
Alagi Puccini 12/8/42 Med Clan Ferguson Merchant 7,347 Sunk Torpedo
Alagi Puccini 12/8/42 Med Kenia Cruiser 8,000 Damaged Torpedo
Axum Ferrini 12/8/42 Med Cairo Cruiser 4,200 Sunk Torpedo
Axum Ferrini 12/8/42 Med Nigeria Cruiser 8,000 Damaged Torpedo
Axum Ferrini 12/8/42 Med Ohio Tanker 9,514 Damaged Torpedo
Dessie’ Scandola 12/8/42 Med Brisbane Star Merchant 12,291 Damaged Torpedo
Dessie’ Scandola 12/8/42 Med Deucalion Merchant 7,516 Sunk Torpedo
Giuliani Bruno 13/8/42 Atlantic California Merchant 5,441 Sunk Torpedo
Giuliani Bruno 14/8/42 Atlantic S.De Larrinaga Merchant 5,218 Sunk Torpedo
Archimede Saccardo 9/10/42 Atlantic Oronsay Merchant 20,043 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 2/11/42 Atlantic Empire Zeal Merchant 7,009 Sunk Torpedo
Cagni Liannazza 3/11/42 Atlantic Dagoomba Merchant 3,854 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 4/11/42 Atlantic Andreas Merchant 6,566 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 11/11/42 Atlantic Veerhaven Merchant 5,291 Sunk Torpedo
Argo Gigli 12/11/42 Med Awatea Merchant 13,482 Sunk Torpedo
Argo Gigli 12/11/42 Med Tynwald Aux. 2,376 Sunk Torpedo
Platino Rigoli 13/11/42 Med Narkunda Merchant 16,632 Damaged Torpedo
Ascianghi Erler 15/11/42 Med Algerine Minesw. 850 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 16/11/42 Atlantic M.Whitman Merchant 7,176 Sunk Torpedo
Cagni Liannazza 29/11/42 Indian Argo Merchant 1,995 Sunk Torpedo
Ambra Arillo 11/12/42 Med Empire Centaur Merchant 7,041 Damaged Gamma Frogmen
Ambra Arillo 12/12/42 Med Berto Merchant 1,493 Sunk Gamma Frogmen
Ambra Arillo 12/12/42 Med Harmattan Merchant  4,558 Damaged Gamma Frogmen
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 12/12/42 Atlantic Empire Hawk Merchant 5,032 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 12/12/42 Atlantic Ombilin Merchant 5,658 Sunk Torpedo
Mocenigo Longhi 14/12/42 Med Argonaut Cruiser 5,450 Damaged Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 21/12/42 Atlantic Queen City Merchant 4,814 Sunk Torpedo
Tazzoli Fecia Di Cossato 25/12/42 Atlantic Dona Aurora Merchant 5,011 Sunk Torpedo
Platino Patrelli-Campagnano 30/1/43 Med Samphire Escort 925 Sunk Torpedo
Acciaio Beltrami 7/2/43 Med Tervani Escort 409 Sunk Torpedo
Barbarigo Rigoli 24/2/43 Atlantic Monteigueldo Merchant 3,453 Sunk Torpedo
Barbarigo Rigoli 2/3/43 Atlantic A.Pena Merchant 3,540 Sunk Torpedo
Barbarigo Rigoli 3/3/43 Atlantic Staghound Merchant 8,591 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 14/3/43 Atlantic Empr.Of Canada Merchant 21,517 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 19/3/43 Atlantic Lulworth Hill Merchant 7,628 Sunk Torpedo
Finzi Rossetto 28/3/43 Atlantic Granicos Merchant 3,689 Sunk Torpedo
Finzi Rossetto 30/3/43 Atlantic Celtic Star Merchant 5,575 Sunk Torpedo
Archimede Saccardo 8/4/43 Atlantic Castillo Merchant 3,912 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 17/4/43 Indian Sembilan Merchant 6,566 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 18/4/43 Indian Manaar Merchant 8,007 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 21/4/43 Indian Drayton Merchant 7,177 Sunk Torpedo
Da Vinci Gazzana-Priaroggia 25/4/43 Indian Doryssa Tanker 8,072 Sunk Torpedo
Nichelio Celli 14/7/43 Med MGB 641 Gunboat 90 Sunk Gunfire
Dandolo Turcio 16/7/43 Med Cleopatra Cruiser   5,450 Damaged Torpedo
Cagni Roselli-Lorenzini 25/7/43 Atlantic Asturias Aux. 22,048 Damaged Torpedo
A lookout on board an Italian submarine in 1940. Image: Archivio Centrale dello Stato.

A lookout on board an Italian submarine in 1940. Image: Archivio Centrale dello Stato.

Italian WWII Submarines

Sub Class Type Shipyard Service Loss Cause Area Tonnage Sunk
Balilla Balilla Ocean OTO-M 1928 28-Apr-41 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Sciesa Balilla Ocean OTO-M 1928 6-Nov-42 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Toti Balilla Ocean OTO-M 1928 1-Apr-43 Discarded   – 0 1,573
Millelire Balilla Ocean OTO-M 1929 15-Apr-41 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Capponi Mameli Coastal TT 1929 31-Mar-41 Sub West Med 1,888
Da Procida Mameli Coastal TT 1929 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Mameli Mameli Coastal TT 1929 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0 1,044
Speri Mameli Coastal TT 1929 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Bausan Pisani Coastal CRDA-M 1929 14-Apr-42 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Colonna Pisani Coastal CRDA-M 1929 16-Apr-42 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Des Geneys Pisani Coastal CRDA-M 1929 16-Apr-42 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Pisani Pisani Coastal CRDA-M 1929 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Bandiera Bandiera Coastal CRDA-M 1930 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Manara Bandiera Coastal CRDA-M 1930 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Menotti Bandiera Coastal OTO-M 1930 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Santarosa Bandiera Coastal OTO-M 1930 20-Jan-43 Accident West Med   – 0
Fieramosca Fieramosca Ocean TT 1930 10-Apr-41 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Narvalo Squalo Coastal CRDA-M 1930 14-Jan-43 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Squalo Squalo Coastal CRDA-M 1930 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Delfino Squalo Coastal CRDA-M 1931 23-Mar-43 Mistake East Med 2,116
Tricheco Squalo Coastal CRDA-M 1931 18-Mar-42 Sub East Med   – 0
Bragadin Bragadin Minelayer TT 1931 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Corridoni Bragadin Minelayer TT 1931 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Argonauta Argonauta Coastal CRDA-M 1932 29-Jun-40 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Fisalia Argonauta Coastal CRDA-M 1932 28-Sep-41 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Medusa Argonauta Coastal CRDA-M 1932 30-Jan-42 Sub East Med   – 0
Salpa Argonauta Coastal TT 1932 27-Jun-41 Sub East Med   – 0
Serpente Argonauta Coastal TT 1932 11-Sep-43 Scuttled   – 0   – 0
Jalea Argonauta Coastal OTO-M 1933 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Jantina Argonauta Coastal OTO-M 1933 5-Jul-41 Sub East Med   – 0
SettemBrini SettemBrini Medium TT 1932 15-Nov-44 Surface Ships Atlantic   – 0
Settimo SettemBrini Medium TT 1932 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Diamante Sirena Coastal TT 1933 20-Jun-40 Sub East Med   – 0
Naiade Sirena Coastal CRDA-M 1933 14-Dec-40 Surface Ships East Med 8,029
Sirena Sirena Coastal CRDA-M 1933 9-Sep-43 Scuttled   – 0   – 0
Smeraldo Sirena Coastal TT 1933 20-Sep-41 Mines West Med   – 0
Ametista Sirena Coastal OTO-M 1934 11-Sep-43 Scuttled   – 0   – 0
Anfitrite Sirena Coastal CRDA-M 1934 6-Mar-41 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Galatea Sirena Coastal CRDA-M 1934 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Nereide Sirena Coastal CRDA-M 1934 13-Jul-43 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Ondina Sirena Coastal CRDA-M 1934 11-Jul-42 Surface Ships East Med 3,805
Rubino Sirena Coastal CNQ 1934 29-Jun-40 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Topazio Sirena Coastal CNQ 1934 12-Sep-43 Aircraft West Med 691
Zaffiro Sirena Coastal OTO-M 1934 9-Jun-42 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Galilei Archimede Ocean TT 1934 19-Jun-40 Captured Indian 8,215
Ferraris Archimede Ocean TT 1935 25-Oct-41 Surface Ships Atlantic   – 0
Calvi Calvi Ocean OTO-M 1935 15-Jul-42 Surface Ships Atlantic 27,055
Finzi Calvi Ocean OTO-M 1936 25-Aug-44 Scuttled   – 0 30,760
Tazzoli Calvi Ocean OTO-M 1936 24-Aug-43 Aircraft Atlantic 96,550
Glauco Glauco Ocean CRDA-M 1935 27-Jun-41 Surface Ships Atlantic   – 0
Otaria Glauco Ocean CRDA-M 1935 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0 4,662
Micca Micca Minelayer TT 1935 29-Jul-43 Sub East Med   – 0
Ambra Perla Coastal OTO-M 1936 9-Sep-43 Aircraft West Med 6,943
Berillo Perla Coastal CRDA-M 1936 2-Oct-40 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Corallo Perla Coastal CRDA-M 1936 13-Dec-42 Surface Ships West Med 205
Diaspro Perla Coastal CRDA-M 1936 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Gemma Perla Coastal CRDA-M 1936 8-Oct-40 Mistake East Med   – 0
Iride Perla Coastal OTO-M 1936 22-Aug-40 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Malachite Perla Coastal OTO-M 1936 9-Feb-43 Sub West Med   – 0
Onice Perla Coastal OTO-M 1936 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Perla Perla Coastal CRDA-M 1936 9-Jul-42 Captured East Med   – 0
Turchese Perla Coastal CRDA-M 1936 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Adua Adua Coastal CRDA-M 1936 30-Sep-41 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Alagi Adua Coastal CRDA-M 1937 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   10,470
Aradam Adua Coastal CRDA-M 1937 4-Sep-44 Aircraft West Med 1,340
Dagabur Adua Coastal TT 1937 12-Aug-42 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Dessie’ Adua Coastal TT 1937 28-Nov-42 Surface Ships West Med 7,516
Macalle’ Adua Coastal OTO-M 1937 15-Jun-40 Accident Indian   – 0
Uarsciek Adua Coastal TT 1937 15-Dec-42 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Uebi Scebeli Adua Coastal TT 1937 29-Jun-40 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Ascianghi Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 23-Jul-43 Surface Ships East Med 1,239
Axum Adua Coastal CRDA-M 1938 28-Dec-43 Accident East Med 4,200
Beilul Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 1-May-44 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Durbo Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 18-Oct-40 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Gondar Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 30-Sep-40 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Lafole’ Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 20-Oct-40 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Neghelli Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 19-Jan-41 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Scire Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 10-Aug-42 Surface Ships East Med   3,502
Tembien Adua Coastal OTO-M 1938 2-Aug-41 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Argo Argo Medium CRDA-M 1937 11-Sep-43 Scuttled   – 0 20,924
Velella Argo Medium CRDA-M 1937 7-Sep-43 Sub West Med   – 0
Atropo Foca Minelayer TT 1937 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Foca Foca Minelayer TT 1937 15-Oct-40 Mines East Med   – 0
Zoea Foca Minelayer TT 1938 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Brin Brin Ocean TT 1938 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0 7,241
Galvani Brin Ocean TT 1938 24-Jun-40 Surface Ships Indian   – 0
Guglielmotti Brin Ocean TT 1938 17-Mar-42 Sub West Med 4,008
Archimede Brin Ocean TT 1939 15-Apr-43 Aircraft Atlantic 29,541
Torricelli Brin Ocean TT 1939 23-Jun-40 Surface Ships Indian 1,690
Barbarigo Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 17-Jun-43 Aircraft Atlantic 39,300
Dandolo Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0 13,361
Emo Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 10-Nov-42 Surface Ships West Med 10,958
Marcello Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 22-Jan-41 Surface Ships Atlantic 1,550
Mocenigo Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 13-May-43 Aircraft West Med 2,771
MOrosini Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 11-Aug-42 Aircraft Atlantic 40,927
Nani Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 7-Jan-41 Surface Ships Atlantic 1,939
Provana Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 17-Jun-40 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Veniero Marcello Ocean CRDA-M 1938 7-Jun-42 Aircraft West Med 4,987
Cappellini Cappellini Ocean OTO-M 1939 28-Apr-45 Scuttled   – 0 31,648
Faa’ di Bruno Cappellini Ocean OTO-M 1939 8-Nov-40 Surface Ships Atlantic   – 0
Bagnolini Liuzzi Ocean TT 1939 11-Mar-44 Aircraft Atlantic 11,142
Liuzzi Liuzzi Ocean TT 1939 27-Jun-40 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Giuliani Liuzzi Ocean TT 1940 14-Feb-44 Sub Atlantic 16,103
Tarantini Liuzzi Ocean TT 1940 15-Dec-40 Sub Atlantic 3,039
Baracca Marconi Ocean OTO-M 1940 8-Sep-41 Surface Ships Atlantic 8,987
Bianchi Marconi Ocean OTO-M 1940 5-Jul-41 Sub Atlantic 20,065
Da Vinci Marconi Ocean OTO-M 1940 25-May-43 Surface Ships Atlantic 116,680
Malaspina Marconi Ocean OTO-M 1940 21-Sep-41 Surface Ships Atlantic 16,384
Marconi Marconi Ocean OTO-M 1940 28-Oct-41 Mistake Atlantic 17,673
Torelli Marconi Ocean OTO-M 1940 28-Apr-45 Scuttled   – 0 42,871
Cagni Cagni Ocean CRDA-M 1941 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0 5,849
Caracciolo Cagni Ocean CRDA-M 1941 11-Dec-41 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Millo Cagni Ocean CRDA-M 1941 14-Mar-42 Sub West Med   – 0
Saint Bon Cagni Ocean CRDA-M 1941 5-Jan-42 Sub West Med   – 0
Asteria Acciaio Coastal CRDA-M 1941 17-Feb-43 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Giada Acciaio Coastal CRDA-M 1941 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Platino Acciaio Coastal OTO-M 1941 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0 925
Acciaio Acciaio Coastal OTO-M 1942 13-Jul-43 Sub West Med 409
Alabastro Acciaio Coastal CRDA-M 1942 14-Sep-42 Aircraft West Med   – 0
Argento Acciaio Coastal TT 1942 3-Aug-43 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Avorio Acciaio Coastal CRDA-M 1942 9-Feb-43 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Bronzo Acciaio Coastal TT 1942 12-Jul-43 Captured East Med   – 0
Cobalto Acciaio Coastal OTO-M 1942 12-Aug-42 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Granito Acciaio Coastal CRDA-M 1942 9-Nov-42 Sub West Med   – 0
NichElio Acciaio Coastal OTO-M 1942 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0 90
Porfido Acciaio Coastal CRDA-M 1942 6-Dec-42 Sub West Med   – 0
Volframio Acciaio Coastal TT 1942 9-Sep-43 Scuttled   – 0   – 0
Gorgo Flutto Medium CRDA-M 1942 21-May-43 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Tritone Flutto Medium CRDA-M 1942 19-Jan-43 Surface Ships West Med   – 0
Flutto Flutto Medium CRDA-M 1943 11-Jul-43 Surface Ships East Med   – 0
Marea Flutto Medium CRDA-M 1943 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Murena Flutto Medium OTO-M 1943 4-Sep-44 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Nautilo Flutto Medium CRDA-M 1943 9-Jan-44 Aircraft East Med   – 0
Sparide Flutto Medium OTO-M 1943 1-May-45 Scuttled   – 0   – 0
Vortice Flutto Medium CRDA-M 1943 1-Jan-48 Discarded   – 0   – 0
Alluminio Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Amianto Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Antimonio Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Attinio Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Azoto Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Bario Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Bromo Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Cadmio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Cernia Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Corbonio Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Cromo Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Dentice Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Elio Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Ferro Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
FosfOro Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Grongo Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Iridio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Litio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Magnesio Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Manganese Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Mercurio Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Molibdeno Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Oro Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Osmio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Ossigeno Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Ottone Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Piombo Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Plutonio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Potassio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Radio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Rame Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Rutenio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Selenio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Silicio Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
Sodio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Spigola Flutto Medium TT   – 0
Tungsteno Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Vanadio Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Zinco Flutto Medium CRDA-M   – 0
Zolfo Flutto Medium OTO-M   – 0
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