Pola was the forth and last of the Zara-class cruisers built for the Italian Regia Marina. Unlike her three sisters (Zara, Gorizia and Fiume), she was completed as a flag ship, with a larger conning tower for the admiral and his staff. Launched on 5 December 1931, she was commissioned into the Italian Navy on 31 December 1932.
During The Second World War, she participated in the battles of Calabria (July 1940) and Cape Spartivento (November 1940). During the Battle of Cape Matapan (27-29 March 1941), Pola was disabled by an aerial torpedo. Zara and Fiume were sent to help and escort her to port. During the night, the cruisers were surprised by the British Royal Navy fleet, centred on the battleships HMS Warspite, Valiant and Barham. The battleships overwhelmed Zara, Fiume and two destroyers. The British considered towing Pola to Alexandria, but the proximity to Italian airfields and the approaching dawn prevented this. Instead, she was sunk by torpedoes from the destroyers HMS Jervis and Nubian.
Pola on the building ways at Odero-Terni-Orlando, LeghornLaunch of the Italian heavy cruiser Pola, Odero-Terni-Orlando shipyard, Leghorn, 5 December 1931Launch of Pola in Livorno 1931Pola on sea trialsPola and Zara in Venice 1933Pola 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser PolaPolaHeavy cruisers Fiume, Gorizia, Zara and Pola in the battle near Punta Stilo, July 9, 1940Italian heavy cruiser PolaItalian heavy cruiser PolaItalian heavy cruisers, likely on 30 July or 1 August 1940 during an escort mission, as seen from the flagship Pola 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser Pola 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser PolaTwo Italian admirals under the aft 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser Pola the engraving of her motto I dare any deed 203 mm turrets of the heavy cruiser PolaGrand Admiral Paolo Thaon di Revel on the deck of the Italian heavy cruiser Pola, before a ceremony onboard on 6 July 1933100mm guns on the Italian heavy cruiser PolaIMAM Ro.43 on the bow’s catapult of Italian Navy’s heavy cruiser Pola
