Destination's Journey

Tag: Second World War

  • Italian Battleship Vittorio Veneto

    Italian Battleship Vittorio Veneto

    Italian Battleship Vittorio Veneto

    Launched on 25 July 1937, Vittorio Veneto was the second of the Littorio-class battleships built for the Italian Regia Marina. Commissioned on 28 April 1940 she had three sister ships, Littorio, Roma and never completed Impero.

    During World War Two, Vittorio Veneto saw extensive service. She was undamaged during the Battle of Taranto when the Italian Fleet was attacked by 21 Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers. Three other battleships were damaged; Conte di Cavour, Littorio and Duilio.

    On 17 November 1940 during the Battle of Cape Spartivento, Vittorio Veneto engaged British cruisers at long range but without effect.

    During the Battle of Cape Matapan on 22 March 1941, she again engaged British cruisers, inflicting minor splinter damage on HMS Orion. That afternoon, HMS Formidable launched Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers, one of which scored a hit on her port side shearing off the port side propeller, damaging the shaft, jamming the port rudder, and disabling the aft port pumps. It also caused flooding and a list of 4 to 4.5 degrees. While she was immobilized, a Bristol Blenheim bomber dropped a bomb that landed near her stern; the blast caused further, minor damage to the stern. I took until August 1941 for her to be operational again.

    The rest of the war consisted of convoy escorts and attempts to intercept British convoys. During on of these escort missions on 13 December 1941, she was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Urge. Repairs lasted until early 1942.

    On 5 June 1943, Vittorio Veneto was badly damaged by an American air raid on La Spezia; she was hit by two large bombs toward the bow, though only one detonated. That bomb passed through the ship and exploded under the hull, causing serious structural damage.

    Following the Italian armistice, Vittorio Veneto moved to Malta. In transit she was attacked by Luftwaffe Dornier Do 217 bombers armed with Ftitz X guided bombs. Although she escaped unharmed, her sister Roma was sunk and Italia (previously Littorio) was badly damaged.

    Post war Vittorio Veneto was allocated as a war prize to Britain. She was subsequently sold off for scrapping in 1948.

    Under Construction

    Vittorio Veneto before launching
    Vittorio Veneto before launching
    The hull of Vittorio Veneto at the C.D.R.A. yard in Trieste in July 1937, nearly ready for launching
    The hull of Vittorio Veneto at the C.D.R.A. yard in Trieste in July 1937, nearly ready for launching
    Vittorio Veneto before launching
    Vittorio Veneto before launching
    Vittorio Veneto fitting out
    Vittorio Veneto fitting out

    Battle of Cape Spartivento

    Vittorio Veneto engages British cruisers with her 381mm battery at the Battle of Cape Spartivento (Capo Teulada), 27 November 1940
    Vittorio Veneto engages British cruisers with her 381mm battery at the Battle of Cape Spartivento (Capo Teulada), 27 November 1940

    Battle of Cape Matapan

    Vittorio Veneto firing her 15in guns on British cruisers during a brief engagement near Gaudo Island, the afternoon before the battle of Matapan
    Vittorio Veneto firing her 15in guns on British cruisers during a brief engagement near Gaudo Island, the afternoon before the battle of Matapan
    Vittorio Veneto after being torpedoed by British aircraft during the Battle of Matapan
    Vittorio Veneto after being torpedoed by British aircraft during the Battle of Matapan
    Vittorio Veneto in the morning of 29 March 1941, sailing for Taranto after the Battle of Cape Matapan, visibly down by her stern
    Vittorio Veneto in the morning of 29 March 1941, sailing for Taranto after the Battle of Cape Matapan, visibly down by her stern
    Vittorio Veneto in Taranto, June 1941, undergoing repairs following the Battle of Cape Matapan
    Vittorio Veneto in Taranto, June 1941, undergoing repairs following the Battle of Cape Matapan
    The underwater damage to Vittorio Veneto resulting from a torpedo hit on 28 March 1941
    The underwater damage to Vittorio Veneto resulting from a torpedo hit on 28 March 1941

    General Photos

    Vittorio Veneto sailing at high speed during sea trials
    Vittorio Veneto sailing at high speed during sea trials
    Vittorio Veneto on trials, 1940
    Vittorio Veneto on trials, 1940
    Vittorio Veneto soon after completion in 1940
    Vittorio Veneto soon after completion in 1940
    Vittorio Veneto soon after completion in 1940 possibly at Naples, Italy.
    Vittorio Veneto soon after completion in 1940 possibly at Naples, Italy.
    Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto, May 1940, off the Ligurian Coast
    Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto, May 1940, off the Ligurian Coast
    Vittorio Veneto, December 1941
    Vittorio Veneto, December 1941
    Littorio and Vittorio Veneto in the Mediterranean during World War Two
    Littorio and Vittorio Veneto in the Mediterranean during World War Two
    Either Littorio or Vittorio Veneto during 1941 taken toward the stern looking forward at the no. 3 triple 15-inch turret
    Either Littorio or Vittorio Veneto during 1941 taken toward the stern looking forward at the no. 3 triple 15-inch turret
    Vittorio Veneto underway in 1942
    Vittorio Veneto underway in 1942
    Stern view of Vittorio Veneto, somewhere in 1942-43
    Stern view of Vittorio Veneto, somewhere in 1942-43
    Vittorio Veneto in 1943
    Vittorio Veneto in 1943
    La Spezia Naval Base, 30 March 1943. Vittorio Veneto fires her forward turret guns during in-port artillery practice.
    La Spezia Naval Base, 30 March 1943. Vittorio Veneto fires her forward turret guns during in-port artillery practice.
    Trial shot Vittorio Veneto. Spezia, 1943
    Trial shot Vittorio Veneto. Spezia, 1943
    Vittorio Veneto and Littorio. La Spezia, March 1943
    Vittorio Veneto and Littorio. La Spezia, March 1943
    Vittorio Veneto at sea
    Vittorio Veneto at sea
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Vittorio Veneto
    Italian Royal Navy officers in dress uniform standing on the poop deck of the battleship Vittorio Veneto
    Italian Royal Navy officers in dress uniform standing on the poop deck of the battleship Vittorio Veneto

    Armament

    The forward 15" guns of Vittorio Veneto with Littorio in the background. Sailing in the Ionian Sea, September 1940
    The forward 15″ guns of Vittorio Veneto with Littorio in the background. Sailing in the Ionian Sea, September 1940
    The aft 15" guns of Vittorio Veneto
    The aft 15″ guns of Vittorio Veneto

    Vittorio Veneto’s Aircraft

    Reggiane Re.2000 Catapultabile fighter
    Reggiane Re.2000 Catapultabile fighter

    At Malta

    Vittorio Veneto at La Valleta, Malta, 11 September 1943
    Vittorio Veneto at La Valleta, Malta, 11 September 1943
    Littorio and Vittorio Veneto at Malta following the Italian surrender in September 1943
    Littorio and Vittorio Veneto at Malta following the Italian surrender in September 1943
    Vittorio Veneto at Malta following the Italian surrender 13 September 1943
    Vittorio Veneto at Malta following the Italian surrender 13 September 1943

    Scrapping

    Italia (ex-Littorio) and Vittorio Veneto awaiting scrapping
    Italia (ex-Littorio) and Vittorio Veneto awaiting scrapping
    The 15 inch barrels of Vittorio Veneto seen being cut during the scrapping of the ship at La Spezia, 1948
    The 15 inch barrels of Vittorio Veneto seen being cut during the scrapping of the ship at La Spezia, 1948
  • Focke -Wulf Fw 62 Floatplane

    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 Floatplane

    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 Floatplane

    Intended as a replacement for the Heinkel He 114, the Focke-Wulf Fw 62 was a reconnaissance floatplane designed for Nazi Germany’s Kriegsmarine.

    Two variants were built, to evaluate single and twin main floats. The V1 (D-OFWF) and V2 (D-OKDU) prototypes had conventional twin floats, while the V3 (D-OHGF) and V4 (D-OMCR) had a central float and two smaller outboard stabilizing floats.

    Despite meeting requirements, the competing Arado Ar 196 was superior, resulting in only four prototypes being built.

    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 Single Float Version
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 Single Float Version
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 D-OFWF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 D-OFWF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 D-OFWF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 D-OFWF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 or V2
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 or V2
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 or V2
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V1 or V2
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V3 D-OHGF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V3 D-OHGF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V3 D-OHGF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V3 D-OHGF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V3 D-OHGF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V3 D-OHGF
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V4 D-OMCR
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 V4 D-OMCR
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 Cockpit
    Focke -Wulf Fw 62 Cockpit
  • Italian Battleship Littorio

    Italian Battleship Littorio

    Italian Battleship Littorio

    Littorio was the lead ship of her class of battleships (along with Vittorio Veneto and Roma and in incomplete Impero). Launched on 22 August 1937, she was commissioned into the Italian Regia Marina on 6 May 1940.

    Littorio was badly damaged when struck by three torpedoes dropped by Fairey Swordfish torpedo-bombers during the Battle of Taranto on the night of 1 November 1940. Repairs lasted until 11 March 1941.

    For the remainder of the Second World War, Littorio undertook convoy escort duties, while also attempting to intercept British convoys. She participated in the First and Second Battles of Sirte (17 December 1941 and 22 March 1942 respectively), causing severe damage to the Royal Navy destroyers HMS Havock and Kingston and minor damage to the light cruiser Euryalus during the later battle.

    During the attempted interception of convoy Operation Vigorous, Littorio was hit on Number 1 Turret by a bomb dropped by a Consolidated B-24 Liberator on 15 June 1942. This caused only minor damage and the turret remained in operation. Shortly before midnight that evening, Littorio was struck by a torpedo dropped by a British Wellington bomber, causing some 1,500 long tons (1,500 t) of water to flood the ship’s bow. Her crew counter-flooded to correct the list. The ship was able to return to port for repairs that lasted until 27 August 1942.

    Along with her two sisters, Littorio was moved to La Spezia in December 1942. On 19 June 1943 she was struck by three bombs during an American raid.

    With the overthrow of the Mussolini Fascist Government, she was renamed Italia and moved to Malta to be interned for the remainder of the war. During transit to Malta, the fleet was attacked by Luftwaffe Dornier Do 271 bombers armed with Fritz X radio-controlled bombs. One Fritz X hit Italia just forward of turret no. 1; it passed through the ship and exited the hull, exploding in the water beneath and causing serious damage. Roma was meanwhile sunk in the attack.

    Post war, Italia was allocated to the United States. Having no use for the battleship, she was sold for scrap and broken up at La Spezia.

    Littorio Under Construction

    Littorio under construction
    Littorio under construction
    Construction of the Littorio March 31, 1936, shows elements of the Pugliese torpedo defense system
    Construction of the Littorio March 31, 1936, shows elements of the Pugliese torpedo defense system
    One of the rudders of the Italian battleship Littorio about to be fitted, Genoa
    One of the rudders of the Italian battleship Littorio about to be fitted, Genoa
    Turbines for the Italian battleship Littorio,1936
    Turbines for the Italian battleship Littorio,1936
    Elements of a 381 mm triple turret being fitted onto the Italian battleship Littorio being fitted out, 1938
    Elements of a 381 mm triple turret being fitted onto the Italian battleship Littorio being fitted out, 1938
    Incomplete Italian battleship Littorio, Genoa, December 1938
    Incomplete Italian battleship Littorio, Genoa, December 1938

    Littorio at Sea

    Littorio on first trial 1937
    Littorio on first trial 1937
    Littorio seen on or about May 6, 1940 at the time of commissioning
    Littorio seen on or about May 6, 1940 at the time of commissioning
    Littorio in the summer of1940 while on gunnery exercises.
    Littorio in the summer of1940 while on gunnery exercises.
    Littorio photographed on a gunnery exercise in the summer of 1940.
    Littorio photographed on a gunnery exercise in the summer of 1940.
    Littorio firing her main guns during the Battle of Punta Stilo, 9 July 1940
    Littorio firing her main guns during the Battle of Punta Stilo, 9 July 1940
    Littorio in 1941
    Littorio in 1941
    Littorio and Vittorio Veneto at sea in 1942
    Littorio and Vittorio Veneto at sea in 1942
    Littorio at sea, 1942
    Littorio at sea, 1942
    Littorio undergoing gunnery practice in the Ligurian Sea, in the spring of 1943
    Littorio undergoing gunnery practice in the Ligurian Sea, in the spring of 1943
    Littorio in La Spezia, spring 1943
    Littorio in La Spezia, spring 1943
    1943 during their transfer to La Spezia. From the closest Roma, Littorio and Vittorio Veneto
    1943 during their transfer to La Spezia. From the closest Roma, Littorio and Vittorio Veneto
    All three Littorio class battleships as photographed by a RAF reconnaissance aircraft on 18 April 1943 in La Spezia base of the Regia Marina
    All three Littorio class battleships as photographed by a RAF reconnaissance aircraft on 18 April 1943 in La Spezia base of the Regia Marina
    Italia (formerly the Littorio) steaming past Cape Corso on Sept. 9th, 1945
    Italia (formerly the Littorio) steaming past Cape Corso on Sept. 9th, 1945
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio-class battleship
    Littorio-class battleship
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio
    Littorio

    Taranto Raid and Repairs

    LIttorio on November 12, 1940, after Taranto attack
    LIttorio on November 12, 1940, after Taranto attack
    Salvage operations on Italian battleship Littorio, hit by 3 torpedoes in the Battle on Taranto
    Salvage operations on Italian battleship Littorio, hit by 3 torpedoes in the Battle on Taranto
    Littorio in the Bacino Ferrati of Taranto, under repair after being torpedoed during the Taranto Attack
    Littorio in the Bacino Ferrati of Taranto, under repair after being torpedoed during the Taranto Attack
    Littorio following repairs from the Taranto Attack
    Littorio following repairs from the Taranto Attack

    Damage From Operation Vigorous

    Damage suffered by the battleship Littorio on 15 June 1942, during Operation Vigorous
    Damage suffered by the battleship Littorio on 15 June 1942, during Operation Vigorous

    Armament

    Littorio, after completing repairs in drydock for torpedo damage, Taranto, 19 March 1941
    Littorio, after completing repairs in drydock for torpedo damage, Taranto, 19 March 1941
    The secondary armament of Italian battleship Littorio
    The secondary armament of Italian battleship Littorio

    Littorio’s Aircraft

    IMAM Ro.43 seaplane aboard the battleship Littorio, August-September 1940
    IMAM Ro.43 seaplane aboard the battleship Littorio, August-September 1940

    Scrapping

    Italia (ex-Littorio) and Vittorio Veneto awaiting scrapping
    Italia (ex-Littorio) and Vittorio Veneto awaiting scrapping
    Italia (ex-Littorio) during her scrapping in the early 1950s at La Spezia
    Italia (ex-Littorio) during her scrapping in the early 1950s at La Spezia