Platon Alexiades Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 At 2143 hours on 23 February, the Greek submarine Nereus fired four torpedoes at a convoy of two merchant ships and two destroyers in 40°07' N, 18°57' E (Otranto Straits). Lt Cdr Rotas claimed he heard two hits. He claimed to have been hunted by the destroyers which dropped about ten depth charges. I have found no evidence of such convoy or any antisubmarine attack at that time. I have not checked MAS boats operations in this area and perhaps I have missed something? I note that the executive officer had expressed doubts of the veracity of that attack. Also the same submarine claimed to have been hunted by two MAS boats at about 1000/26 February off Valona and they dropped ten depth-charges. Again, I have not seen any such attack in Italian records. Help to solve these two items will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Platon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesco Mattesini Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 Caro Platon, ho guardato tra la mia documentazione ma degli episodi descritti nella tua richiesta non ho trovato nulla. Vorrei disturbarti chiedendoti se per caso hai la documentazione britannica sull'episodi di Capo Bon della notte del 13 dicembre 1941: affondamento degli incrociatori Di Barbiano e Da Giussano. Saluti cordiali Franco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesco De Domenico Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 I only know that part of Maritrafalba (Comando Superiore Traffico Albania) were the 13a Squadriglia MAS based in Brindisi, made up of MAS 534, 535, 538 and 539 and the 9a Squadriglia MAS at Durazzo with MAS 512, 515 and 2 others.No convoy was at sea on 23 February 1941 at 21.43 hrs according to "La difesa del traffico con l'Albania, la Grecia e l'Egeo".From the same source on 26 February we have the motorships CITTA' DI AGRIGENTO (carrying pows) and CITTA' DI TRAPANI (empty) sailing from Valona for Brindisi at 14.00 hrs under the escort of torpedo-boat ARETUSA and arriving at 19.00 hrs, and SS CRISPI sailing from Valona at 12.45 hrs also for Brindisi carrying 352 wounded soldiers under the escort of torpedo-boat ALTAIR and motonave armata BRIONI, also arriving at 19.00 hrs. Danilo Pellegrini and Platon Alexiades 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platon Alexiades Posted November 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 Dear Francesco, Many thanks for your comments. This seems to confirm that the "attack" was bogus. All the best, Platon I only know that part of Maritrafalba (Comando Superiore Traffico Albania) were the 13a Squadriglia MAS based in Brindisi, made up of MAS 534, 535, 538 and 539 and the 9a Squadriglia MAS at Durazzo with MAS 512, 515 and 2 others. No convoy was at sea on 23 February 1941 at 21.43 hrs according to "La difesa del traffico con l'Albania, la Grecia e l'Egeo". From the same source on 26 February we have the motorships CITTA' DI AGRIGENTO (carrying pows) and CITTA' DI TRAPANI (empty) sailing from Valona for Brindisi at 14.00 hrs under the escort of torpedo-boat ARETUSA and arriving at 19.00 hrs, and SS CRISPI sailing from Valona at 12.45 hrs also for Brindisi carrying 352 wounded soldiers under the escort of torpedo-boat ALTAIR and motonave armata BRIONI, also arriving at 19.00 hrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platon Alexiades Posted November 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 Caro Franco, I have some items on the action off Cape Bon of 13 December 1941. I have to look at the database as not all the data is identified and it will take a bit of time. I have found some pages of Admiral Cunningham's diary but they are not very detailed. I will gather whatever that I have and will send them to you in a day or two. I also have the report "Affondamento Da Barbiano e Di Giussano - Scontro Navale Notturno Zona di Capo Bon 13.12.1941" from USMM but I assume you already have a copy? Cordialmente, Platon Caro Platon, ho guardato tra la mia documentazione ma degli episodi descritti nella tua richiesta non ho trovato nulla. Vorrei disturbarti chiedendoti se per caso hai la documentazione britannica sull'episodi di Capo Bon della notte del 13 dicembre 1941: affondamento degli incrociatori Di Barbiano e Da Giussano. Saluti cordiali Franco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francesco Mattesini Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 Grazie caro Platon Per quanto riguarda la Relazione e tutti documenti italiani sono a posto. Ho lo scambio di corrispondenza tra l'Ammiragliato e l'Ufficio Storico. Quindi per i documenti inglesi tutto quello che mi puoi inviare mi servirà. Oggi ho postato in Academia Edu la seconda parte del Saggio "Guerra senza esclusine di colpi nel Mediterraneo". Ad esso faccio seguire, come episodio che segue cronologicamente "Lo scontro di Capo Bon". .Sarà un lavorone e per finirlo ci vorrà del tempo. Cari saluti Franco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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