Ciclone class Torpedo Boat (1940)

Regia Marina 1942-43: Aliseo, Animoso, Ardente, Ardimentoso, Ardito, Ciclone, Fortunale, Ghibli, Impavido, Impetuoso, Indomito, Intrepido, Monsone, Tifone, Uragano.

The Ciclone class were the third class of Italian torpedo boats built, these one in World War II, last being the Ariete class. No consideration was given to the Washington or London treaty limits in 1942 so they happily reached 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) full loaded like WWI destroyers. The Regia Marina staff wanted a buffier, better armed version of the Orsa/Pegaso for anti-submarine work and escort with greater endurance, both a generous depth charge armament, gunnery and torpedo tubes for A/S work but this time an emphasis on anti-aircraft defence, all traded for speed. At 26 knots light, on the best conditions, they were not precisely fast, certainly not for fleet work, but they were supposed to free destroyers from escort work. Sixteen of these specialized ASW “torpedo boats” were ordered in 1941, once the Orsa class had been validated, for compensation of heavy destroyer losses. Stability was improved but the side oil fuel tanks were removed.

The launch of Impavido at CNT in Feb.1943, already camouflaged.

In service, losses were heavy still, Ardente was sunk on 12 January 1943 in a collision with Grecale off Sicily. Uragano and Cicline were lost on a mine from HMS Abdiel off Bizerte, Monsone in an air raid in Naples, Tifone after an air attack off Tunisia and Groppo same, but at Messina. Ghibli and Impetuoso were scuttled to avoid capture at La Spezia and Majorca. Ardito and Impavido were captured by the Germans and became TA26 and TA23, the first sunk in 1944 by British MTBs the second by a mine laid by Sirio off Corsica, scuttled. Intrepido was captured also and became TA25, sunk also by British MTBs.

Development

Italy, took great advantage prewar of the Article 8 of the Washington Naval Treaty signed in 1922 and confirmed in 1930 which statted that warships under 600 tons are exempt from limitation. This enabled to discharge precious fleet destroyers from escort work among others. Compementary to the warime Gabbiano class corvettes, and long derived from the experimental “Albatros”, two classes of torpediniere used the 600 tonnes loophole prewar, the numerous Spica class, fast jacks of all trade with artillery, light torpedoes, AA, paravanes, mines and depth charges. But these moderately large, fast and versatile escorts designed by general engineer Gustavo Bozzoni from the Naval Engineering Committee (Comitato Progetto Navi) to officially replace the old “tre pipe” destroyer series were less promising than expected.

A line of Spica class prewar. These were the fulcrum of the Regia Marina’s TB force in 1940, but high speed and low tonnage led to many compromises. They might be goopd replacement for WW1 destroyers, but were not ideal as ASW escorts.

Sticking to the 600t standard limit for the technical ambitions of the Regia Marina led to the same shortcuts and compromises made in seaworthiness and strenght, to a lesser extent than the Japanese though, and the new ships, that married aspects of Albatros, like of the Maestrale class when approved by late 1932, appeared largely flawed as a design. Spica and Astore, ordered in naples by May, 24 1933 were followed by three groups which improved on the formula. However, it was realized that they were perhaps too fast for their own good and not stable enough for upgrades, so for the next Orsa class (Pegaso) it was decided to secured the lines of communications with fully dedicated ASW escorts, for which speed was a secondary factor. The Spica were 30+ knots vessels with a laughable range and stability issues, but the Orsa would be slower, but with thrice the range and betetr stability for upgrades. They lost a main gun for extra depht charges and their AA complement was beefed up.

The Orsa class were the first “true ASW torpedo boats” – classed as escorts until May 1943 proving the concept for the next Ciclone class
Created by the same team led by Bozzoni, this new class of torpedo boat, doubling the anti-submarine armament, with four depth charge launchers and more reserve charges for them and the two ASW racks at the poop and extra fuel tanks for a much greater range to stay longer at sea, got rid of the new limit of 800 tonnes, since Italy by 1935 already, had been severely criticized internationally for its colonial war in Eritrea. Mussolini decided like Japan to rip off treaties anyway, not taking part in the 1936 limitation treaty altogether. Only four ships were ordered, to “test the waters”: Pegaso, Procione, Orione, Orsa launched 1936-37 and completed in 1938. These “escort torpedo boats” proved the right solution, to be further developed into a mass-built improved construction. Hence the next Ciclone class decided in 1941.

Ciclone in May 1942

The Ciclone class laid down in 1941 were slightly enlarged versions of the previous Orsa/Pegaso class but with better stability and better ASW capabilities, as part of the war mobilization programme. Completed in 1942–43 most saw action under the Regia Marina flag. All were fitted with a sonar and two twin broadside torpedo launchers. They however differed in armament, with Ghibli, Impavido, Impetuoso, Indomito, Monsone given three single 100/47mm guns, and four twin 20mm/65mm AA guns, while Aliseo, Ardente, Ciclone, Fortunale, Groppo, Tifone, Uragano had a two 100/47mm guns plus the third ordiginal gun replaced by an additional twin 20/65mm for ten total. Animoso, Ardito, Ardimentoso, Intrepido had two main guns, and central mounting with a quadruple 20/65mm mounting, for 12 total. They were the most heavily armed of all Italian TBs in WW2.

Design of the Ciclone class

Ardito of the Ciclone class, cutaway

The Pegaso class repeated some aspects judged satisfying from the previous Spica class: Clean, well-proportioned lines to ensure good manoeuvrability, an easy and safe handling in moderate to high seas, satisfactory compartmentalization and logistical facilities, rational and functional. The larger size would improve crew comfort, previous very limited. The large hull would also improve sea keeping, which was not stellar originally, notably speed fell against the wind, and there were serious hull vibrations. With a greater displacement, a beefier hull was possible, stiffened enough to avoid these issues, moderated by the lower speed anyway. At the expense of some loss in speed the fuel stowage was less for stability reasons, and still 2.5 times larger than for the Spica class. Endurance matched one of fleet destroyers. The artillery was shrunk initally to two 100mm guns, but anti-submarine armament was increased to six DCTs, and DC stowage was considerably increased.

Hull and general design

This new class was larger than the Pegaso, displacing 910 long tons (925 t) standard (versus 840 long tons) and 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) (versus 1,575 long tons) full load, quite an increase over the 650-680t Spicas. In length, same story, the Ciclone class were of the same lenght of 82.5 m (270 ft 8 in) but larger at 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in) (versus 9.69 m). Draugth was also greater at 3.77 m (12 ft 4 in) versus 3.74 m (12 ft 3 in).

The overall outlook was about the same, however, with a clipper style bow, inverted crescent stem, progressive waterline. There was a short constant beam section amidship, and a lot of flare forward, so that seen from above, with the prow and stern having the same ellipse, they look almost symmetrical. NThe “central island” was composed of the bridge, narrow and streamlined, topped by an open bridge, and sitting on a structure that flared into the aft funnel. Four boats under davits were stationed either side. The two twin torpedo tubes with 45cm tubes as main antiship armament were located on both sides amidships, with a recessed structure to fire at near-broadside angles.

The forecastle was proportioned the same as the Orsa, with a continuous aft deck structure running all the way to the stern and supporting the AA armament. There was only one main single mount aft, located on the upper structure, instead of a second on deck. Living quarters were in the forecastle. The whole stern section, starting aft amidship, was reserved form ASW armament: Instead of stern chutes for ASW racks, they were placed on both sides, dropping along the hull rather than in the ship’s wake. The six depth charge launchers were located in two rows, either side, along the quarterdeck structure. The single funnel was raked, contained two exhausts, as the two masts, a bridge foremast used to back a small lattice supporting the searchlight platform, then a spotting top. The shorter aft mast, apart for sporting national colours, also supported wireless radio cables. The fire control was destroyer-grade, not an afterthought, so main artillery fire was precise.

Powerplant

The ships were powered about the same as the previous Pegaso, with two 2 shaft steam turbines (Tosi for the latter or Parsons for the first batches apparently from previous made stockpiles before June 1940). They were fed by two 3-drum type admiralty boilers for a total of 16,000 hp (11,900 kW) like the previous class. They were also in two separate rooms enclosed by longitudinal and transverse bulkheads. An entirely different road taken compared to the 1930s Spica class, more powerful at 19,000 hp for 32 knots in service. The Pegaso class had been much larger and only capable of 28 knots (32 mph; 52 km/h), as their best speed, and thus the Ciclone class being larger, 26 knots max (48 km/h; 30 mph) they fell to 22-24 knots in service, fully loaded. That good enough for escort work, zipping in and out of convoy hunting slow submerged submarines. This loss in speed was well compensated by their range, based on a greater capacity of 442t fuel oil, for 4,000 nautical miles versus 5,100 at 14 knots. The Ciclone had more “legs” than the Spica, but less than the Pegaso.

Armament

As said above, they sacrificed “Y” gun mount on deck aft for extra ASW armament, four racks with 4 DCs each, six projectors (see later), one “A” gun on the foredeck, two twin torpedo tubes, and better AA overall: Ten 20 mm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft guns in dual Breda mounts and eight 13.2 mm (0.52 in) AA machine guns in four twin mounts as well. If modernized for the 1942 ships in mid-1943, they obtained from four to five extra 20mm/70 Scotti-Isotta Fraschini 1939 either in addition to what they had, or in replacement for “Q” gun for earlier ships.

OTO 100mm/47 Mod. 1937

The gun armament consisted of either two or three 100 mm (4 in)/47 caliber dual-purpose guns in single mountings in ‘A’ and ‘X’ positions. These OTO 100/47 Mod. 1937 in single mounts and shielded (light 6 mm one) More. It is stated by most sources that only the earlier boats, Animoso, Ghibli, Impavido, Indomito, Intrepido, Monsone had three guns, with the remainder having “Q” mount replaced by dual Scotti Isotta-Fraschini mounts for extra AA.
Ghibli, Impavido, Impetuoso, Indomito, and Monsone had three 100/47 mm guns, for eight 20mm/65 Mod.35 in 4×2 mounts.
Aliseo, Ardente, Ciclone, Fortunale, Groppo, Tifone, and Uragano had two 100/47 mm guns, (Q: 2x 20mm/65 Mod. 35) for 10x 20mm.
Animoso, Ardito, Ardimentoso, Intrepido: Two 100mm/47 mm and Q replaced by a German 20 mm Flakvierling for 12x 20mm.
Apart Rheinmetall for the Flakverling all had Scotti 20mm mounts, not Breda.

⚙ Specs

Gun Length 196.3 in (4.985 m), bore 185.0 in (4.700 m), mass 6.2 tons (6.3 mt)
elevation of 45° (No AA fire possible).
Shell: HE: 31.3 lbs. (14.2 kg).
Muzzle velocity 2,953 fps (900 mps)*
Range: 31.3 lbs. (14.2 kg) HE shell/45° 16,840 yards (15,400 m).
Rate of fire: 8 rounds per minute.
Storage: c250 rounds and 60 starshell (by analogy to the Gabbiano)
*reduced later to 2,805 fps (855 mps) for dispersion.

Scotti Isotta Fraschini 20mm/70

Being built in 1942-1943, instead of Breda 20mm or twin 13.2 mm mounts all ships received the superior Scotti-Isotta-Fraschini 20/70 mounts. These were either twon or single mounts. The 20mm/70 Scotti-Isotta Fraschini 1939 models were called the Cannone-Mitragliera da 20/77 (Scotti) and only required a crew of two with “flying loaders” bringing out new clips. This was a good AA defense but did not prevented a few losses due to air raids. The Scotti is closer in design to the Oerlikon:
+85° elevation, 250 rpm cyclic rate of fire
Muzzle velocity 830 m/s (2,700 ft/s)
2.1 km (6,900 ft) range max.

450 mm Torpedoes

These Naples (Silurificio Italiano) torpedoes, were a MAS compatible 450 mm or 17.7 inches model. It might be either the Si 200 or W 200. Configuration 2×2. The small warhead was 110 kg, so sinking a ship remained the exception, especially against cruisers.

⚙ Specs Si 200/450 x 5.36

Weight 2,050 lbs. (930 kg) for 17 ft. 7 in. (5.750 m)
Explosive Charge 441 lbs. (200 kg).
Range/Speed 2,200 yards (2,000 m)/44 knots vy Wet-heater

⚙ Specs W 200/450 x 5.25

Weight 1,896 lbs. (860 kg) for 17 ft. 2.5 in. (5.250 m)
Explosive Charge 441 lbs. (200 kg).
Range/Speed 4,400 yards (4,000 m)/46 knots with Wet-heater.

Depth Charge Racks and Throwers

There were modello Modelo 1934/37 pneumatic launchers (from 1941 Mod. G throwers) and depth charge racks aft, with two side DCTs, but initially no poop racks.
B TG Monc. 50/1936: 141 lbs. (64 kg), 110 lbs. (50 kg) charge. Unknown sink Rate or Terminal Velocity or Settings. Designed and fired by the 30 cm (11.8 in) DC Throwers.
The B TG Scot. 100: larger model weighting 282 lbs. (128 kg) with a 220 lbs. (100 kg) intended for 43 cm (16.9 in) DC Throwers.
B TG Monc. 50/1917: 110 lbs. (50 kg), single setting
B TG Monc. 50/1927 4 Reg.: 110 lbs. (50 kg), 20, 40, 70 and 100 m (65, 130, 230 and 330 feet) settings
B TG Monc. 100/1927 4 Reg.: 220 lbs. (100 kg), 25, 50, 75 and 100 m (80, 165, 250 and 330 feet) settings

Sensors

Hydrophones

All ships had a baseline Italian hydrophone but before 1943, it’s well possible these ships received German sonars, S-Gerät sonar when available. By the end of 1941, Orsa, Castore, Sagittario and Lince had it and until Sept. 1943, 18 TBs had this model, however it’s unknown how many of the Spica class.

Radars

In 1943, survivors received extra AA (Scotti 20mm AA guns) as well as a German Fu.Mo. 21/40 radar.

⚙ specifications
Displacement	910 long tons (925 t) standard, later 1113 long tons, 1,625-1,683 long tons full load (1,651 t)
Dimensions	82.5 x 9.90 x 3.77 m ()
Propulsion	2 shaft steam turbines, 2 boilers: 16,000 hp (11,900 kW)
Speed	26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Range	Fuel oil 442t, range 4,000 nm at 14 kts
Armament	2 × 100 mm/47, 4×2 20 mm AA, 2×2 450 mm TTs, 4 DCT*
Sensors	Hydrophonesn S-Gerät sonar
Crew	154-177

*Animoso, Ghibli, Impavido, Indomito, Intrepido, Monsone: 3x 100mm/47 OTO 1937, 3×2+2×1 20mm/70 Scotti-Isotta Fraschini 1939, 2×2 450mm TT, 4-6 DCT, 20 mines.

Appearance

Ardito as completed in early 1943 with the typical 1942 camo scheme, note the usual Savoia colors painted on the foc’sle deck. The base was the same ash grey (Grigio Cenerino) with some dirty white (Bianco Sporco Opaco) on the bow and stern to confuse observers, and Claudus Sheme variants of dark grey Gregio Scuro or Grigio Molto Scuro (Very Dark Gray) with jagged edges. If available, superstructures could be painted in light blue (Azzurro), or in alternance to the Grigio Azzuro Chiaro, (Light Blue-Gray).

Animoso postwar
Otherwise, constant elements since 1942 were the Waterline in Nero, (Black), Underwater hull in Rossa Mattone (Brick Red), or more commonly Verde Scuro (Dark Green) for Med Operations. The Decks in steel were painted in Grigio Ferro, (Iron Gray) or Grigio Ponte, (Bridge Gray). Even wood decks if present were painted over in Grigio Ferro. The Boats were left in Grigio Azzuro Chiaro with the lower hull Nero.
The Interior walls were in Verde Chiaro, (Light Green) and the Command bridges in Blu Scuro (Dark Blue), then the interior walls of gun turrets were also in Blu Scuro and the Anchors & chains in Nero (black).

Modernization and Cold War Service

None was still in service with the Marina Militare. Survivors were attributed as war reparation to Yugoslavia in 1949 Biokovo and Triglav and to USSR in 1949, Ladnyy, Liutyy, and Liotnyy. The level of modifications is unclear, they likely were used as dual training ships and escorts.

Career of the Ciclone class

Aliseo (AS)

Aliseo (AS) was laid down at Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia in 9/1941, launched on 20/9/1942, and completed on 2/1943. This first ship was also the most successful in class: With Carlo Fecia di Cossato in command, in unorganized co-belligerence, he destroyed eight German auxiliary vessels near the port of Bastia, Corsica, and for this awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor. She was trained in February-March 1943, for the final phase of the convoy war for Tunisia, fitted wit a Fu.Mo. 31/42 radar under Lieutenant Commander Umberto Manacorda until April 1943. Carlo Fecia di Cossato which took command, was a renowned Atlantic submarine ace. On July 22, 1943, Aliseo departed Pozzuoli to escort the steamers Adernò and Colleville to Civitavecchia with TA 11 and two VAS. On the morning of July 23 they were under air attack, one was shot down, another damaged and forced to ditch. Aliseo was strafed and a fire broke near the depth charges. Her rudder was also damaged. Fecia di Cossato decided to let proceed after towing the ditched aircraft for examination for the axis, and repair the rudder and back to the convoy at 17:30. At 19:30, Adernò was torpedoed by the HMS Torbay and sank in minutes, the others rescuing survivors and Aliseo made a hunt for hours.

On armistice day, Aliseo was at La Spezia and left with Ardito, soon ordered by Admiral Amedeo Nomis di Pollone (TBF Cdr) as well as Admiral Aimone di Savoia-Aosta on Aliseo to head for Bastia, learning there the proclamation. On September 9, German troops arrived so she managed to escape, but Ardito remained trapped. The Germans seized the coastal batteries, pummelled her, and she was finished German vessels. Fecia di Cossato (CO of Aliseo) hearing the gunfire, reversed course and returned to angage the eleven German vessels (Battle of Bastia). She mauled the UJ 2203, UJ 2219, the barges F 366, F 387, F 459, F 612, and F 623, Luftwaffe FL B. 412, armed steamers Humanitas and Sassari. She was joined by recaptured field batteries manned by Italian gunners and the corvette Cormorano in the final phase. She was ordered the partial recapture of the port. The battle started at 07:06 from 8,300 meters.

07:30 Aliseo had her engine room hit by a 88mm shell, but this was repair and she sank UJ 2203 at 08:20 then UJ 2219, three motor barges, othered were forced to run aground, while the Luftwaffe vessel was sunk by her and Cormorano. The commander was awarded for this the Gold Medal of Military Valor. She later rescued 25 German survivors and assisted by her sister Ardito and other Italian vessels from Tyrrhenian ports. On the 9th, she disembarked Admirals Nomis di Pollone and Savoia-Aosta and on the 11th left Portoferraio with Indomito, Animoso, Ardimentoso, and Fortunale for Palermo, arriving and remaining there until the 18th. Supplied by the US, she left on the 20th, proceeded to Malta, transferring some provisions and on October 5 she returned to Italy. From Taranto, she was used as escort in the co-belligerence period until 194 and di Cossato left in June 1944, when relieved of command and placed under arrest after his refusal to swear allegiance to the new Bonomi government, but released after unrest on his ship. Postwar, Aliseo and Indomito were attributed to Yugoslavia as war reparations. She became Y9 from 3 May 1949 and Renamed Biokovo, active until 6 April 1965, scrapped from 1971.

Animoso (AM)

Animoso (AM) was laid down at Ansaldo, Genoa on 4/1941 launched on 15/4/1942, and completed on 8/1942. She entered service in August 1942 and saw intensive wartime use, particularly in escort duties between Italy, Libya, and Tunisia. Between her commissioning and September 1943, the *Animoso* carried out a total of 108 war missions, covering more than 20,000 miles. To be completed 2027.

Ardente (AD)

Ardente (AD) was laid down at Ansaldo, Genoa on 4/1941 launched on 27/5/1942, and completed on 9/1942. She saw intense but very brief service in the waters between Sicily, Libya, and Tunisia. She was lost due to a collision: At 17:00 on January 10, 1943, Ardente sailed from Naples with Ardito, Camicia Nera, Clio ezcorting Mario Roselli, Manzoni, and Alfredo Oriani to Bizerte when at 11:10 on January 11, 70 nm north of Bizerte, HMS Umbra attacked the convoy but missed. Ardente arrived in Bizerte and departed back to Palermo after refuelling. At 04:03 on January 12, while 4.2 nm of Capo San Vito she collided with Grecale sailing in the opposite direction on a troop transport mission, in extremely poor weather conditions, pitch black dark night with low clouds, rough seas. The destoryer lost her bow, but her bulkhead held on. However Ardented was slit in two between the bridge and funnel, causing the explosion of boiler No. 2, with a gash 2/3 of the ship’s width. The was fierce fuel-oil fire. She sank at 05:45 off Punta Barone, 118 men went down, 44 survived but just 14 were rescued. Her wreck was rediscovered by July 2007 off Monte Cofano. To be completed 2027.

Ardimentoso (AZ, AT)

Ardimentoso in Venice Ardimentoso (AZ, AT) was laid down at Ansaldo, Genoa on 4/1941, launched on 28/6/1942, and completed on 12/1942. After relocating to Augusta on July 15, the torpedo boat carried out a long series of escort missions, by July convoy “VN 53” Augusta-Naples, Naples-Piombino, then NV 53 Naples-Augusta, RV Augusta-Naples, VN 55 Augusta-Naples, NV 55 Naples-Augusta and by August, 12 convoys (VN/NV 57, 58, 60, 61, 63) from Augusta to Malta, Naples and Piompbino and back. In September this was “NKS 60” and “RV” Augusta to Malta and back, VN 63 Augusta-Naples and Naples-Piombino.

On September 7, on Piombino-Naples, and by September 11, she escorted three steamers on Naple-Taranto, on the 14th/16th she transported materials from Taranto to Bari and Ancona and was in Taranto on September, training until the 23rd, then inactive for several months, back in service by March 1945. By May 1945 she had carried out 87 missions (42 escort and others), over 31,224 nautical miles. Postwar she was attributed to the Soviet Union, with Duca d’Aosta, Animoso and Fortunale, to Odessa. She served as Z 19 and then Bezzhalostnyi from 1949, to 1959.

Ardito (AR)

Ardito (AR) was laid down at Ansaldo, Genoa on 4/1941, launched on 14/3/1942, and completed on 6/1942. She was assigned to the 3rd Torpedo Boat Squadron (TBS) with an intensive initial training and on October 12, sailed from Brindisi to escort D’Annunzio, linking up with another convoy from Corfu and arriving in port at 14th with air attacks repelled. Next convoy was with Sestriere and Ruhr when returning. On Nov. 4, she escorted the tanker Portofino, transports Col di Lana and Anna Maria Gualdi to Tripoli. On the 30th she left Naples with Convoy “C” to Tripoli. They were attacked by four Fairey Albacore from Malta (821st/828th Sqn) and Veloce was hit and set ablaze. Later she was destroyed by Force K. By December 16, she hunted down a sub, noted damaged.
On December 25 Ardito and Ardente were in the Gulf of Tunis, northwest of Zembra when attacked by HMS P 48. They depth charged and sank her. On January 12, 1943, Ardito rescued men from Ardente sunk off Punta Barone after a collision with Grecale. On June 9, she made another successful ASW hunt, albeit unconfirmed kill. On June 21–22, she was in escort to Syracuse and spotted torpedo wakes, opened fire on a sub, unconfirmed. The merchant ship evaded the torpedoes. After 54 escort missions and claiming shooting down four aircraft the armistice found her at La Spezia. On September 8 with Aliseo she sailed to Bastia and took part in the battle, badly damaged by UJ 2203, UJ 2219, Humanitas, loosing 70 men and remaining trapped inside the harbor, stormed by German troops. However her sister ship led a counterattack. After makeshift repairs Ardito left for Portoferraio. However, unable to depart for the south on September 16, she was captured by the Germans in Elba and later became TA 26, 10th TBF in Genoa in service from December 18, but not at sea until February 2, 1944. Long story short she was attacked and sunk by US PT 552, PT 558, and PT 559 at night of June 14-15.

Ciclone (CI)

Ciclone (CI) was laid down at CRDA, Trieste on 5/1941 launched on 1/3/1942, and completed on 5/1942. On 8 October with Castore she departed Tobruk in escort of the tanker Proserpina to Piraeus and Taranto. While off Crete, she was attacked by HMS Traveller. On 25-26 Proserpina with 4553 tonnes of fuel on board, Tergestea and Dora were escorted from Taranto to Tobruk, attacked by British bombers and again on 26 October (18 Vickers Wellington, 98th Bombardment Group). Proserpina had however a breakdown, was assisted by Calatafim. They were ecorted Ju 88 bombers and Macchi M.C.202/Me 109 fighters. Later they were attacked by 8 Bristol Beaufort (47th Sqn) and 5 Bristol Blenheim (15th Qn SAAF) escorted by 9 Beaufighters (Sqn 252 and 272). In another later attack Proserpina was hit 30 nm from Tobruk, the remainder arrived unscathed. However Tergestea was hit by a torpedo from a Wellington the next night and sank. Dora reached port.
On 26 November Ciclone (Lieutenant Commander Luigi Di Paola) escorted Sant’Antioco and Honestas to Tunis. Attacks on 27-28th but no issue.
On 3 January 1943 in Palermo there was an attack of 5 British “chariots” which damaged Viminale and sank Ulpio Traiano just fitted out. Cyclone also had a mine attache,d but it was discovered and removed by the Commander, bringing it 100 meters away before it exploded 15 min. after removal.
On 7 March 1943 Ciclone left Bizerta to Trieste shipyard for overhaul when en route, she was ordered to take the lead of a convoy heading towards Bizerte. On March 7, some sank due to mines, and the remainder were bombed by US 4-engine planes. Cyclone hit in succession, two mines from HMS Abdiel and sank several hours later on 8 March in the Strait of Sicily, off Cape Bon (14 dead). Di Paola refused to abandon ship and remained with 6 men. The others were rescued.

Fortunale (FT)

Fortunale (FT) was laid down at CRDA, Trieste on 5/1941 launched on 18/4/1942, and completed on 8/1942. On December 12, 1942, she sank the British submarine P 222 with depth charges southeast of Capri, after she attacked her convoy in the Gulf of Naples. On February 17, 1943, she escorting the cargo steamer XXI Aprile from Palermo to Tunis when, at 18:53 north of Capo San Vito Siculo she was torpedoed by HMS Splendid and blew up. Fortunale counterattacked but she escaped. On February 24, Fortunale left Bizerte in escort of Alcamo, Chieti, and Stella back to Italy with Animoso and Monsone. In February 24–25, they came under air attack, Alcamo had a torpedo hit and bombs hits and sank but a Bristol Beaufort from No. 39 was shot down. Men were rescued by Monsone to Naples. After the armistice, Fortunale took refuge at Portoferraio on September 9, a gathering point for Italias ships from Tyrrhenian ports. On September 11, she departed for Palermo, Allied-controlled and on the 20th, she was resupplied and left for Malta, the returned to Italy. She saw many escort missions in co-belligerence and designated Z 17 she was sent as war reparation to USSR at Odessa on March 1, 1949, renamed Letnyj, TS in the 78th Training Brigade until disarmed 30 December 1954, target ship CL 59, struck 29 December 1959, sunk after a missile exercise; Black Sea.

Ghibli (GH)

Ghibli (GH) was laid down at Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia on 8/1941 launched on 28/2/1943. To be completed in 2027.

Groppo (GP)

Groppo (GP) was laid down at Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia on 6/1941 launched on 19/4/1942, and completed on 8/1942. Note: To be completed in 2027.

Impavido (IM)

Impavido (IM) was laid down at CT, Riva Trigoso on 8/1941 launched on 24/2/1943, and completed on 4/1943. To be completed in 2027.

Impetuoso (IP)

Impetuoso (IP) was laid down at CT, Riva Trigoso on 8/1941 launched on 20/4/1943, and completed on 7/1943. To be completed in 2027.

Indomito (ID)

Indomito (ID) was laid down at CT, Riva Trigoso on 1/1942 launched on 6/7/1943, and completed on 8/1943. To be completed in 2027.

Intrepido (IT)

Intrepido (IT) was laid down at CT, Riva Trigoso on 1/1942 launched on 8/9/1943, and completed on 1/1944 for Germany as TA25. To be completed in 2027.

Monsone (MS)

Monsone (MS) was laid down at Navalmeccanica, Castellammare di Stabia on 6/1941 launched on 7/6/1942, and completed on 11/1942. To be completed in 2027.

Tifone (TF)

Tifone (TF) was laid down at CRDA, Trieste on 6/1941 launched on 31/3/1942, and completed on 7/1942. To be completed in 2027.

Uragano (UR)

Uragano (UR) was laid down at CRDA, Trieste on 6/1941 launched on 3/5/1942, and completed on 9/1942. To be completed in 2027.