Italian tankers and cargoes sunk by British planes, 1942-43

[LColombo]

Thank you.

[jwsleser]

LColombo

Per your request.

Palmaiola (3 December 1942 en route to Tripoli). both ships were carrying a total of 3.500 tons of fuel in drums (divided between the two ships) (total weight was about 1.900 tons gross each). Was attacked with two aerial torpedoes, avoided the first but was hit by the second at 21.50, burst into flames and sank within a few minutes. 42 men onboard, 17 rescued including the captain (blown overboard). (pg. 115-116)

Vercelli (sunk on 30.1.1943) 3.094 T.S.L. Hit by two bombs near the engine at about 11.15 on the 29th. 205 men onboard, of which 145 were military accompanied by 296 mules and various war material. 12 seamen lost when the ship was abandoned. Ship was boarded and towed by the Tp. Prestinari but sank 03.30 a mile off Plane island. (pg. 190-191)

Verona and Pistoia (both FR) (both sunk on 23.1.1943). No cargos given. In second attack, Verona hit by an aerial torpedo (23 Jan 23.02) and sank on the 24th (08.00). 112 men onboard, the Tp Fortunale rescued 97. Pistoia was torpedoed at 02.00 on the 24th and “disappeared into flames”. 81 men onboard, the Tp Groppo rescued 56. 3 more survivors of the Verona were rescued by the Ct. Malocello as it was transiting the area between 00.20 and 11.50 on the 24th. (pg. 188-189)

MV Col di Lana (sunk on 18.2.1943). Carrying prisoners of war. Hit by an aerial torpedo on the 18th at 00.50 and sank at 01.18. The Ct. Lampo tried to rescues survivors but was attack at 01.05 and forced to leave. The No Capri (hospital ship), sailing from Trapani later rescued numerous survivors (no numbers given). (pg. 199)

MV Ines Corrado (sunk on 7.3.1943). Carrying 5.000 tons of fuel in drums, tanks, trucks, artillery pieces, and various other military material. Hit by numerous bombs on 7 March at 09.15. Set on fire, sank on 8 March at 03.00. About 200 men onboard, no losses provided. Passage states a daring rescued by the escort ships, so all might have been saved. (pg. 213)

Mn Manzoni (sunk on 22.3.1943). No cargo provided. Suffered frequent engine breakdowns and got separated from Mn Roselli. Ship was hit by an aerial torpedo and sank at 03.05 on the 22nd. 125 men onboard, 119 were rescued by MAS and motorboats. (pg. 223-224)
Nuoro (FR) that was sunk on 31.3.1943. No total cargo/passengers provided. The convoy was attacked from the air, the first two attacks causing no hits. The Nuoro was torpedoed on the port side during the third attack (16.34) and set on fire. 44 survivors (some wounded) were rescued by the Cv Cicogna, 50 more were rescued by the smaller ships/boats. Rescue efforts were abandoned as the wind was blowing the operation towards a mined area. Two planes were shot down by the ships; German fighters shot down four more but lost two fighters. (pg 227).

Pista! Jeff

[Dili]

This must be a mistake: Cv Cicogana
This seems a Capitano di Vascello named Cicogana, not a ship.

[jwsleser]

Dili

Thanks. A typo on my part. Cv (Corvetta) Cicogna.

Corrected above.

Thanks!

[LColombo]

Thank you again.

[Dili]

Okay. But CV in Italian texts means Capitano di Vascello so be careful.

[jwsleser]

Dili

Thanks for the heads-up

I am using the abbreviations found in the USMM officials. Each volume has an abbreviations page immediately after the table of contents.

C.V. is Capitano di Vascello

C.v. (or Cv as it is actually written in the text of the books) is Corvetta.

Again thanks. If anyone has questions on the abbreviations, please ask.

Pista! Jeff

[Dili]

Seem you know more then me. So thanks for correction. I have never seen abbreviations for corvetta in Italian texts.

Since corvetta is a unique word it should not have the points . .

[jwsleser]

Dili

I don't know more than you, I just happen happen to a book

[Dili]

Well that is correct. It doesn't have points since it is an unique word. You just put points after a character to state thatis an initial.

[jwsleser]

Lorenzo

I have been busy with several projects. I hope to answer more of your questions at a later time.

RE: Rovereto. No good details. The book doesn't provide cargo or crew (vol VIII pgs 230-231). The ship took a direct hit and exploded. The other ship sunk at the same time, San Diego, was carrying fuel and munitions. The book states there was a total of 242 men between the two ships. Only 99 survivors, almost all from the San Diego (Su 242 uomini, complessivamente imbarcati sui due piroscafi, i furono 99 sopravvisuti quasi tutti del San Diego). Given the Rovereto took one hit and exploded, I assume ship was also carrying fuel and munitions.

Pista!

Jeff

[sabaf]

I just can't see a crew of 330 on a liner with no passengers. There were 400 German soldiers from I./and III./ March Battalions, Koblenz, broken down as 5/40/355 (off/nco/or)

Dear Urmel,
I am interested in the story of these two Marschbataillon. I am wondering if you have some more infos on them, or some references, also archivistic. I am especially interested in knowing about the Commander during their trip to Africa, and especially about the Kompaniefuehrer des Marschbataillons "Koblenz".

I am not able to understand 5/40/355, nor (off/nco/or). I guess it should be 5th (Pz) Div, 40th Rgt, 355 Btn.? Could you also explain the meaning of the abbreviations?

Thank you very much for any help you may provide.

Best, Andrea Saba

[Urmel]

Ciao Andrea

I am afraid the info I provided is all I have. 5/40/355 means 5 Officers, 3 Non-commissioned Officers, 355 other ranks. So a total of 400 Germans.

[sabaf]

Dear Urmel,
I was provided the Belegungsplan of the Seetransportstelle Tarent, it gives the numbers you posted. Do you know if that original document come from NARA T1022 roll 2528? Could you confirm me that? I should have the right references. In any case an Italian document say +5 Unteroffiziere, their total for german troops embarked on Victoria is 405.

Best. Andrea