AdBlock Detected

It looks like you're using an ad-blocker!

Our team work realy hard to produce quality content on this website and we noticed you have ad-blocking enabled.

Destination’s Journey

It’s About the Journey Not Just the Destination

SiteLock

Well That’s it for us. Have had enough abuse from Social Media (particularly Reddit). Site will run until current subscription expires. Had just hoped to share pictures and our travels with people . Was also a great help with my mental health, but just can’t take the shit anymore. Enjoy the existing pages while they last.

Bronzo at her base in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early 1943

Italian Submarine Bronzo

Return to Main Menu

Italian Submarine Bronzo

Bronzo was an Acciaoia-class submarine operated by the Italian Regina Marina. She was launched on 28th September 1941 and commissioned on 2nd January 1942. Bronzo had an active but unsuccessful career, being involved in the attacks on the Pedestal and Operation Harpoon convoys.

She was captured on 12th July 1943 after being engaged by HMS Seaham, HMS Boston, HMS Cromarty, and HMS Poole. Towed into to Syracuse by HMS Seaham, she was as later transferred to Malta and renamed HMS P714.

It was originally intended to transfer her to the Hellenic Navy, but was given to the Free French naval forces instead on 29 January 1944. She was renamed Narval and remained in operation until the end of the war when she was decommissioned. She was finally scrapped in 1948.

Bronzo (on the right) next to Volframio in early 1942
Bronzo (on the right) next to Volframio in early 1942
Bronzo at her base in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early 1943
Bronzo at her base in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early 1943
Bronzo was commanded for most of her life by Tenente di Vascello Cesare Buldrini
Bronzo was commanded for most of her life by Tenente di Vascello Cesare Buldrini
Buldrini (with binoculars around his neck) and other members of Bronzo's crew in August 1942.
Buldrini (with binoculars around his neck) and other members of Bronzo’s crew in August 1942.
On 12th July 1943, Bronzo surfaced among a group of British minesweepers, who immediately opened fire on her with their 3-inch guns
On 12th July 1943, Bronzo surfaced among a group of British minesweepers, who immediately opened fire on her with their 3-inch guns
Bronzo being towed towards Syracuse by HMS Seaham
Bronzo being towed towards Syracuse by HMS Seaham
The captured Italian submarine Bronzo sits in the harbor at Syracuse, Sicily
The captured Italian submarine Bronzo sits in the harbor at Syracuse, Sicily
The captured Italian submarine Bronzo sits in the harbor at Syracuse, Sicily
The captured Italian submarine Bronzo sits in the harbor at Syracuse, Sicily
The captured Bronzo at Syracuse, with damage to the conning tower clearly visible
The captured Bronzo at Syracuse, with damage to the conning tower clearly visible