Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

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OldBill
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Joined: 04 Mar 2012, 10:19

Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

#1

Post by OldBill » 10 Oct 2015, 20:20

Were there any shore batteries installed around the principal ports of the Italian colonies? What about minefields?

ROLAND1369
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Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

#2

Post by ROLAND1369 » 12 Oct 2015, 03:46

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.


OldBill
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Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

#3

Post by OldBill » 12 Oct 2015, 05:19

Thanks Roland. I'll put them on the list!

Dili
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Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

#4

Post by Dili » 16 Oct 2015, 20:50

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.

Dili
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Location: Lusitania

Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

#5

Post by Dili » 16 Oct 2015, 20:57

fotoelettriche= spot lights
aerofoni= sound detector

OldBill
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Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

#6

Post by OldBill » 18 Oct 2015, 10:00

Thanks Dili!

gttf
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Re: Eritrea and Italian Somaliland Coastal Defences

#7

Post by gttf » 18 Oct 2015, 11:42

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

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