Italian battleship Littorio
| Company type | Battleship |
|---|---|
| Industry | Naval warfare |
| Founded | 28 October 1934 |
| Defunct | 1 June 1948 |
| Fate | Scrapped at La Spezia (1952–1954) |
| Headquarters | Genoa (Sestri Ponente) , Italy |
| Products | Battleships |
Overview
Littorio was the lead vessel of the Littorio-class battleships constructed for the Italian Regia Marina (Royal Navy) during the period of World War II. The ship derived its name from the Lictor ("Littorio" in Italian), an ancient Roman figure who carried the fasces, a symbol later adopted by Italian Fascism. Alongside her sister ship, Vittorio Veneto, Littorio was developed as a strategic response to the French battleships Dunkerque and Strasbourg. These vessels represented Italy’s first modern battleships and were notably the initial 35,000-ton capital ships laid down under the constraints of the Washington Naval Treaty. Construction commenced in October 1934, with the launch occurring in August 1937, and completion finalized by May 1940.
Service History
Soon after entering service, Littorio sustained severe damage during the British air assault on Taranto on 11 November 1940, rendering her inoperative until March of the following year. Following repairs, she participated in multiple sorties aimed at engaging the British Mediterranean Fleet; however, most operations failed to produce significant combat encounters. The exception was her involvement in the Second Battle of Sirte in March 1942, where she inflicted damage on several British vessels. After the overthrow of the Fascist regime, Littorio was renamed Italia in July 1943.
On 9 September 1943, as Italy capitulated to Allied forces and its fleet moved toward internment, German aircraft launched an attack against the fleet. During this assault—which resulted in the sinking of her sister ship Roma—Italia was struck by a Fritz X radio-guided bomb that caused extensive damage to her bow. Following Italy’s armistice terms, Italia was interned sequentially at Malta, Alexandria, and ultimately in the Great Bitter Lake within the Suez Canal, where she remained until 1947. Subsequently awarded to the United States as a war prize, she was dismantled at La Spezia between 1952 and 1954.
Technical Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Country of service | Italy |
| Operator | Regia Marina |
| Shipyard | Ansaldo, Genoa (Sestri Ponente) |
| Ordered | 10 June 1934 |
| Keel laid | 28 October 1934 |
| Launched | 22 August 1937 |
| Commissioned | 6 May 1940 |
| Decommissioned | 1 June 1948 |
| Renamed | Italia (July 1943) |
| Fate | Scrapped at La Spezia (1952–1954) |
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| Complement | Between 1,830 and 1,950 personnel |
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| Radar System | EC 3 ter 'Gufo' radar |
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Description
Designed as a countermeasure to the French Dunkerque-class battleships, Littorio and her sister ship Vittorio Veneto represented Italy's response to evolving naval threats.[1] The Littorio measured an overall length of 237.76 meters (780 ft 1 in), had a beam spanning 32.82 m (107 ft 8 in), and a draft reaching 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in). She was engineered with a standard displacement of 40,724 long tons (41,377 t), exceeding the Washington Naval Treaty limit of 35,000-long-ton (36,000 t); at full combat load, her displacement rose to 45,236 long tons (45,962 t). Propulsion was provided by four Belluzo geared steam turbines generating 128,000 shaft horsepower (95,000 kW), powered by eight oil-fired Yarrow boilers. This setup enabled a maximum speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and an operational range of 3,920 mi (6,310 km; 3,410 nmi) when cruising at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph). Throughout her service, Littorio carried between 1,830 and 1,950 crew members.[2][3]
The principal artillery of Littorio consisted of nine 381 mm (15 in) 50-caliber Model 1934 guns arranged in three triple turrets; two were positioned forward in a superfiring configuration, while the third turret was located aft. Her secondary surface combat armament comprised twelve 152 mm (6 in) /55 Model 1934/35 guns housed in four triple turrets situated at the superstructure's corners. Supplementing these were four single-mounted 120 mm (4.7 in) /40 Model 1891/92 guns, which were older pieces primarily used for firing star shells. For air defense, Littorio featured twelve single-mounted 90 mm (3.5 in) /50 Model 1938 guns, twenty 37 mm (1.5 in)/54 /54 guns arranged in eight twin and four single mounts, and sixteen twin-mounted 20 mm (0.79 in) /65 guns.[4] In 1942, an additional twelve 20 mm guns in twin mounts were installed. The ship was fitted with an EC 3 bis radar system in August 1941, followed by an updated but ultimately ineffective version in April 1942, and finally the EC 3 ter model was added in September 1942.[5]
Protection included a main armor belt with a thickness of 280 mm (11 in), reinforced by a secondary steel layer measuring 70 mm (2.8 in). The central section of the main deck was armored with 162 mm (6.4 in), tapering to 45 mm (1.8 in) in less vital areas. The main gun turrets featured armor plating up to 350 mm (14 in), with their barbettes also armored to the same thickness. Secondary turrets had frontal armor of 280 millimetres (11 in), while the conning tower sides were protected by armor measuring 260 millimetres (10 in).[3] Additionally, Littorio was equipped with a catapult on her stern for launching reconnaissance aircraft and carried three IMAM Ro.43 floatplanes or Reggiane Re.2000 fighter aircraft.[6]
Service history
Littorio was constructed at the Ansaldo shipyards in Genoa, with her keel being laid on 28 October 1934 to honor the Fascist Party's March on Rome in 1922. Her sister ship, Vittorio Veneto, was also laid down on the same date. Modifications to the initial design and shortages of armor plating caused delays, pushing the planned launch from May 1937 back by approximately three months. The vessel was eventually launched on 22 August 1937 during a ceremony attended by numerous Italian officials. The sponsor for the launch was Signora Teresa Ballerino Cabella, spouse of an Ansaldo employee. Following her launch, outfitting continued until early 1940. During this phase, adjustments were made to Littorio’s bow to minimize vibrations and reduce water spray over the forward sections. She underwent a series of sea trials spanning from 23 October to 21 December 1939. Officially commissioned on 6 May 1940, she conducted further trials that month before relocating to Taranto. There, alongside Vittorio Veneto, she became part of the 9th Division commanded by Rear Admiral Carlo Bergamini.
Between 31 August and 2 September 1940, Littorio participated in an Italian naval sortie comprising five battleships, ten cruisers, and thirty-four destroyers aiming to engage British naval units involved in Operation Hats and Convoy MB.3. However, due to inadequate reconnaissance, no contact was made and no engagement occurred. A similar mission took place from 29 September to 1 October against British Operation MB.5; during this operation, Littorio, supported by four other battleships, eleven cruisers, and twenty-three destroyers, attempted to intercept a troop convoy headed for Malta but again failed to make contact.
Attack on Taranto
On the night spanning 10–11 November, the British Mediterranean Fleet executed an aerial assault on Taranto harbor. Twenty-one Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers launched from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious attacked the Italian fleet in two separate waves. The harbor's defenses included twenty-one 90 mm anti-aircraft guns supplemented by numerous smaller-caliber weapons (37 mm and 20 mm) and twenty-seven barrage balloons. Despite these measures, the defenders lacked radar capabilities and were caught off guard by the Swordfish attack. Additionally, Littorio and other battleships were inadequately protected by anti-torpedo nets. The initial wave struck at 20:35, with a second wave arriving roughly an hour later.
During the assault, Littorio sustained three torpedo hits; other battleships hit included Duilio, which took one hit, and Conte di Cavour, also struck once. Two torpedoes impacted Littorio’s bow while another struck her stern. The stern hit destroyed her rudder and caused shock damage to steering mechanisms. Flooding from the two forward hits caused her to settle heavily by the bow, submerging decks up to the main gun turrets under water. Docking repairs were delayed until 11 December due to an unexploded fourth torpedo lodged beneath her keel; removing it was a delicate operation since any disturbance of its magnetic detonator could trigger detonation. Restoration work continued until completion on 11 March 1941.
Convoy operations
Following the completion of repairs, Littorio took part in an unsuccessful mission to intercept British naval forces between 22 and 25 August. Approximately one month later, on 27 September 1941, she spearheaded the assault on an Allied convoy during Operation Halberd. The British escort for this convoy consisted of battleships Rodney, Nelson, and Prince of Wales; Italian reconnaissance detected a formidable escort presence. As the Italian commander had orders to avoid engagement unless possessing clear numerical superiority, he decided to abort the mission and return to base. On 13 December, Littorio joined another attempt to intercept a convoy bound for Malta, but the operation was halted after Vittorio Veneto was torpedoed by a British submarine. Three days later, she departed to provide escort for Operation M42, a supply convoy destined for Italian and German forces in North Africa. By late 1941, British breakthroughs in decoding the Enigma code increasingly compromised Axis convoy operations to North Africa, prompting the Italians to assign their battleships to convoy protection duties. The following day, Littorio engaged in the First Battle of Sirte, participating with the distant covering force against the escort of a British convoy heading toward Malta that encountered the M42 convoy late in the day. Opening fire from approximately 35,000 yards (32,000 m), Littorio failed to score any hits; nonetheless, the intense Italian gunfire compelled the British escorts to withdraw under a smokescreen, allowing the M42 convoy to reach North Africa unscathed.
On 3 January 1942, Littorio resumed convoy escort duties supporting Operation M43 and returned to port by 6 January. On 22 March, she served as flagship during the Second Battle of Sirte, leading an Italian force aiming to intercept a British convoy en route to Malta. After nightfall, several British destroyers launched a close-range attack against Littorio, but heavy fire from her main and secondary batteries forced them to retreat. During their withdrawal, one destroyer struck Littorio with a single 4.7-inch (120 mm) shell, causing minor damage to her fantail. Throughout the battle, Littorio inflicted serious damage on destroyers HMS Havock and Kingston, and also hit cruiser Euryalus, though without significant effect. The damaged Kingston managed to limp back to Malta for repairs but was later destroyed during an air raid while docked. Additionally, muzzle blast from Littorio's rear turret ignited one of her floatplanes; however, this incident did not cause notable harm to the ship itself. Over the course of the engagement, she fired 181 shells from her main guns. Although unable to directly engage the convoy, the Italian fleet's presence forced the transports to scatter; many were subsequently sunk by air attacks the following day.
Three months later, on 14 June, Littorio participated in efforts to intercept the Operation Vigorous convoy sailing from Alexandria toward Malta. The Italian task force included Littorio, Vittorio Veneto, four cruisers, and twelve destroyers assigned to attack the convoy. The British detected the approaching Italian fleet early and launched multiple night air strikes aimed at preventing their arrival; none of these attacks achieved any hits. While searching for the convoy on the following day, Littorio sustained a bomb hit from a B-24 Liberator that struck turret no. 1’s roof. Damage was limited to minor impairment of the rangefinder hood and barbette along with some splintering on deck; despite this, the turret remained operational and Littorio continued with fleet operations. The threat posed by Littorio and Vittorio Veneto ultimately compelled the British convoy to abort its mission. At 14:00 hours, Italian forces ceased pursuit and returned to port; shortly before midnight that evening, a torpedo dropped by a British Wellington bomber struck Littorio, flooding approximately 1,500 long tons (1,500 t) in her bow section. To correct her list, crew members counter-flooded about 350 long tons (360 t) of water. Despite this damage, she managed to return safely for repairs that lasted until 27 August. She remained stationed at Taranto until 12 December when the fleet was relocated to La Spezia.
Fate
During the initial half of 1943, Littorio remained largely inactive due to critical fuel shortages within the Italian Navy. Only sufficient fuel was allocated to Littorio, Vittorio Veneto, and their newly commissioned sister ship, Roma, and even then, it was reserved strictly for urgent situations. On 19 June 1943, an American bombing raid struck the harbor at La Spezia, where Littorio sustained three bomb hits.
Following the collapse of Benito Mussolini's government, the battleship was renamed Italia on 30 July. Italy signed an armistice with the Allied forces on 3 September, effectively ending its active engagement in World War II. Six days afterward, Italia along with the remainder of the Italian fleet set sail for Malta to be interned for the war’s duration. During this transit, the German Luftwaffe launched an attack employing Dornier Do 217 bombers equipped with Fritz X radio-controlled bombs. One of these bombs struck Italia near turret number one; it penetrated the hull and detonated underwater, inflicting significant damage. In contrast, Roma was sunk during this assault.
Subsequently, both Italia and Vittorio Veneto were relocated first to Alexandria, Egypt, and then transferred to the Great Bitter Lake within the Suez Canal on 14 September. They remained stationed there until hostilities concluded. On 5 February 1947, permission was granted for Italia to return to Italy. Shortly thereafter, under the terms of the Treaty of Peace with Italy signed on 10 February 1947, she was assigned as a war prize to the United States. The ship was officially removed from the naval register on 1 June 1948 and subsequently dismantled for scrap at La Spezia.
External links
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