Continuing the theme on the Battle of Cape Matapan it is time for a few photos of the forming Italian fleet.
In all the Regia Marina committed three cruiser divisions, five destroyer flotillas and one battleship to what would be known as the Battle of Cape Matapan. Initially I have focused on a small selection.
The 3rd Cruiser Division comprised the heavy cruisers Trento, Trieste and Bolzano. The Trento and Trieste were both Trento class cruisers, completed between 1928 and 1929. Bolzano had a more distinctive profile but is sometimes considered a member of the Trento class. These ships were engaged in the early part of the battle resulting in the retreat of the British cruisers, though their fire scored no hits. However, when the cruisers gave up the chase the British attempted to follow them until they were in turn engaged by the battleship Vittorio Veneto.
Above, the Bolzano on the left Trieste on the right with Trento in the background. Below, Trento comes under fire during a recent engagement.
The Vittorio Veneto was the second battleship of the Littorio class, commissioned in April 1940. She was a modern vessel with nine 15" guns and a good turn of speed. As mentioned previously she was engaged early in the battle also firing at the British cruisers. Later she was subjected to air attack and, for a time, disabled by a British torpedo. However, she was soon underway and would eventually retire.
Above, the Vittorio Veneto in 1/3000th scale, while below an historical image of the battleship engaged at Matapan during the daylight phase of the battle.
Now, back to the cruisers. The 1st Division comprised the Zara, Fiume and Pola. The Zara-class cruisers entered service between 1931 and 1932 and like the Trento class cruisers were active in the early part of the war. At Matapan Pola was also subjected to an aerial attack and hit by a torpedo she lost all electric power. Zara and Fiume, along with the destroyers of the 9th Flotilla, were dispatched to support her. However, all three cruisers were then overwhelmed in the resulting close range night action.
Above, the cruisers of the 1st Division with Pola in the foreground.
The final cruiser division was the 8th Cruiser Division which comprised two light cruisers of the Condottieri class. Specifically the Giuseppe Garibaldi and Luigi di Saoia Duca degli Abbruzzi. These cruisers carried a significant armament with ten 6” guns while retaining a reasonable turn of speed.
Above, Garibaldi and Abbruzzi, while below Garibaldi comes under fire.
As to destroyers the first batch I have completed are those from the 9th Flotilla. These ships were also detached to support the disabled Pola. The four ships were the Alfredo Oriano, Vincenzo Gioberti, Vittorio Alfieri and Giosue Carducci. All were commissioned in 1937 and armed with four 4.7" guns in twin turrets and two 4.7" star shell guns in single mounts. This was supplemented with six 21" torpedoes in two triple mounts. Vittorio Alfieri and Giosue Carducci were lost at Matapan.
Now, at 1/3000th scale the models are relatively small. Despite this the models have some good detail, including a life raft modelled on the the funnel.
Below, another photo this time with the destroyers of the 9th Flotilla supporting the cruisers Zara, Fiume and Pola.
That covers the first batch of models for the Regia Marina at Matapan, and all the heavy units. Next I need to tackle the remaining four destroyer flotillas.
The second part of the series on the Regia Marina at Matapan can be found here.
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