Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
Were there any shore batteries installed around the principal ports of the Italian colonies? What about minefields?
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Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
There were batteries on Dohul Island, some 20 sea miles from Massaua but covering its entrance channels. there was Taranto battery which was installed in 1936 and consisted of 3-152 mm 45 M 1911 guns on barbette carriages. in addition there was an emergency battery emplaced during 1941 consisting of at least one Twin 120/45mm OTO gun (Model 1936) removed from the wrecked and immobilized destroyer Leone.
Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
Thanks Roland. I'll put them on the list!
Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
http://www.regiamarina.net/detail_text. ... id=1&cid=1
Read the above link and below another source from ramius website http://xoomer.virgilio.it/ramius/Milita ... _1940.html
COMANDO SUPERIORE MARINA "AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA" (Massaua)
Anti aircraft guns and equipment:
Comando Marina "Massaua"
1 batteria controaerea da 102/35
6 batterie controaeree da 76/40
4 mitragliere da 37/54
40 mitragliatrici da 13,2
4 mitragliatrici da 13,2 (Asmara)
9 fotoelettriche di tipo antiquato
15 aerofoni di vario tipo
Comando Marina "Assab"
5 batterie controaeree da 76/40
18 mitragliatrici da 13,2
3 fotoelettriche di tipo antiquato
Comando Marina "Chisimaio"
4 batterie controaeree da 76/40
8 mitragliatrici da 13,2
6 mitragliatrici da 13,2 (Porto Dante)
3 mitragliatrici da 13,2 (Mogadiscio)
1 fotoelettrica di tipo antiquato
Anti-ship guns
2 batterie da 152/45 con 6 pezzi
2 batterie da 120/50 con 6 pezzi
7 batterie da 120/45 con 27 pezzi
1 batteria da 76/50 con 2 pezzi
Sedi: Massaua, Assab, Chisimaio, Mogadiscio.
Read the above link and below another source from ramius website http://xoomer.virgilio.it/ramius/Milita ... _1940.html
COMANDO SUPERIORE MARINA "AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA" (Massaua)
Anti aircraft guns and equipment:
Comando Marina "Massaua"
1 batteria controaerea da 102/35
6 batterie controaeree da 76/40
4 mitragliere da 37/54
40 mitragliatrici da 13,2
4 mitragliatrici da 13,2 (Asmara)
9 fotoelettriche di tipo antiquato
15 aerofoni di vario tipo
Comando Marina "Assab"
5 batterie controaeree da 76/40
18 mitragliatrici da 13,2
3 fotoelettriche di tipo antiquato
Comando Marina "Chisimaio"
4 batterie controaeree da 76/40
8 mitragliatrici da 13,2
6 mitragliatrici da 13,2 (Porto Dante)
3 mitragliatrici da 13,2 (Mogadiscio)
1 fotoelettrica di tipo antiquato
Anti-ship guns
2 batterie da 152/45 con 6 pezzi
2 batterie da 120/50 con 6 pezzi
7 batterie da 120/45 con 27 pezzi
1 batteria da 76/50 con 2 pezzi
Sedi: Massaua, Assab, Chisimaio, Mogadiscio.
Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
fotoelettriche= spot lights
aerofoni= sound detector
aerofoni= sound detector
Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
Thanks Dili!
Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences
Hello, some few words on minefields.
Between June, 6th and July, 10th, 1940, four antishipping and four antisubmarine minefields were laid by minelayer "Ostia" in both Northern and Southern Channels of Massawa, with a grand total of 270 antishipping and 200 antisubmarine mines.
In the same timeframe, the destroyer "Pantera" laid two antishipping minefields at the Northern entrance of Assab, with 110 mines.
The IN AMC "Parvati" sank on a mine of Assab minefield on April, 30th, 1941. The steam Tug "Taikoo" struck a mine (probably a drifting mine of the old italian minefields) on sept., 12th, 1941 and sank between Aden and Massawa.
Just to add some other info: during the clash in Reda Sea on oct., 21st, 1940, the HMS "Kimberley" eìwas hit twice, one by the destroyer "Nullo" (later sunk) and one by the coastal guns of the Armil Island,
Hope this will be useful
Regards
Fabrizio
Source: "La Guerra di mine", USMMI (Historical Branch of the Italian Navy High Staff), Rome, 1988
Between June, 6th and July, 10th, 1940, four antishipping and four antisubmarine minefields were laid by minelayer "Ostia" in both Northern and Southern Channels of Massawa, with a grand total of 270 antishipping and 200 antisubmarine mines.
In the same timeframe, the destroyer "Pantera" laid two antishipping minefields at the Northern entrance of Assab, with 110 mines.
The IN AMC "Parvati" sank on a mine of Assab minefield on April, 30th, 1941. The steam Tug "Taikoo" struck a mine (probably a drifting mine of the old italian minefields) on sept., 12th, 1941 and sank between Aden and Massawa.
Just to add some other info: during the clash in Reda Sea on oct., 21st, 1940, the HMS "Kimberley" eìwas hit twice, one by the destroyer "Nullo" (later sunk) and one by the coastal guns of the Armil Island,
Hope this will be useful
Regards
Fabrizio
Source: "La Guerra di mine", USMMI (Historical Branch of the Italian Navy High Staff), Rome, 1988