Ascianghi (AS)
Ascianghi

Type	Coastal / Sea going
Class	Adua (23)
Laid down	20 Jan 1937	Odero-Terni-Orlando, Muggiano
Launched	5 Dec 1937
Commissioned	25 Mar 1938
End service
Stricken
Loss date	23 Jul 1943
Loss position	37° 03'N, 15° 24'E
History
Fate	Sunk on 23rd July 1943 north-east of Syracuse, Sicily, in position 37°03.5'N, 15°24'E by gunfire from the destroyers HMS Laforey and HMS Eclipse after being forced to surface by depth charging.

Commands

Commander	Date from	Date to	Command notes
T.V. Ugo Gelli	17 Jul 1938	28 Apr 1941
T.V. Piero Pailli	29 Apr 1941	10 Jun 1941
T.V. Olinto Di Serio	28 Jun 1941	14 Mar 1942
C.C. Mario Resio	15 Mar 1942	20 May 1942
T.V. Rodolfo Bombig	20 May 1942	27 Aug 1942
T.V. Rino Erler	1 Sep 1942	30 Jun 1943
S.T.V. Mario Fiorini	1 Jul 1943	23 Jul 1943

Ships hit

	Date	Commander	Ship hit	Type	GRT	Nat.	Loss type
1.	21 Sep 1941	T.V. Olinto Di Serio	Antar	Tanker	385		Sunk
2.	15 Nov 1942	T.V. Rino Erler	HMS Algerine	Minesweeper	1,040		Sunk

Patrols and events

	Commander	Date	Time	Port	Arr. date	Arr. time	Arr. port	Miles	Description
	Gelli, Ugo	11 Jun 1940	0100	La Maddalena	11 Jun 1940	1630	Cagliari	177	Passage La Maddalena-Cagliari.
1	Gelli, Ugo	17 Jun 1940	2350	Cagliari	30 Jun 1940	1245	Cagliari	1458	Patrolled between 38°20'N and 39°00'N, and between 00°10'E and 01°00'E. off Balearic Islands between Cape San Antonio and Fermentara Island. Sighted many neutral ships.
		19 Jun 1940	0352	38° 30'N, 3° 30'E (0) Italian Grid 1664.	At 0352 hours, five cruisers were sighted at a distance of 10,000 metres, steering 020°, 20 knots. Ascianghi could not close within attacking range.
		22 Jun 1940	0130 0055 (e)	(0) Near Cape San Antonio (Balearic Islands).	At 0125 hours, a darkened 15,000-ton steamer was sighted. At 0130 hours, four torpedoes (three 533mm, one 450mm) were fired in quick succession from the bow tubes, at a range of 1,700 metres. They all missed. This was the British Ashcrest (5,645 GRT, built 1920). Ascianghi then opened fire, claiming hits with her second and third salvoes. The enemy vessel turned sharply to starboard and replied very accurately with its gun, immediately straddling the submarine. Ascianghi had to crash-dive and the vessel escaped.
		25 Jun 1940	0125	(0) Italian Grid 1422/3.	At 0125 hours, four large enemy warships were sighted, steering 180°, 22 knots. They passed out of range.
		25 Jun 1940	0125	(0) Near Italian Grid 1422/3.	At 0125 hours, dark shapes were sighted at a distance of 10,000 metres. Aradam closed to 8-9,000 metres and recognised four large warships believed to be cruisers. They passed out of range and the submarine made an enemy report.
		25 Jun 1940	0223	(0) Near Italian Grid 1422/3.	At 0223 hours, a destroyer was sighted. It was suspected to have located the submarine after she had sent an enemy report for the four warships sighted earlier. Aradam dived to 74 metres, then returned to 35 metres and used the Rovetto apparatus to remain motionless until the warship went away.
		25 Jun 1940	1748	(0) Near Italian Grid 1422/3.	At 1748 hours, a large tanker of the MÉKONG class was sighted at a distance of 8-9,000 metres. It was then observed to be escorted by a destroyer of the AUDACIEUX class. They passed out of range.
		26 Jun 1940	1625		At 1625 hours, a merchant ship was sighted, but the attack was aborted when she was recognised as Greek.
		26 Jun 1940	1940		At 1940 hours, four merchant ships, two of them Yugoslav, one Panamian and the fourth not displaying any flag but suspected to be French. The submarine proceeded to attack the latter. The attack was aborted as Ascianghi could not close the range. Shortly after, a light cruiser of the PERTH or BERTIN class was sighted at a distance of 4-5,000 metres. Again, the target passed out of range.
		29 Jun 1940	1615		At 1615 hours, a large submarine, probably Italian, was sighted at a distance of 7,000 metres moving away, steering 110° at 15-16 knots.
		30 Jun 1940	0605	(0) Near Cagliari.	At 0605 hours, the Italian torpedo-boat Vega was met and informed Ascianghi that the points of approach to Cagliari C and E were dangerous because of suspected mines.
2	Gelli, Ugo	9 Jul 1940	0045	Cagliari	12 Jul 1940	0920	Cagliari	316	Patrolled near Sardinia in 37°30'N, 09°40'E, on a barrage line with Turchese.
	Gelli, Ugo	28 Jul 1940	2015	Cagliari	29 Jul 1940	1315	La Maddalena	177	Passage Cagliari-La Maddalena.
3	Gelli, Ugo	2 Aug 1940	2230	La Maddalena	19 Aug 1940	0815	La Maddalena	1913	Patrolled off Alboran, between Cape Quilates and Cape de Gata on parallel 36°00'N, on a barrage line with Marcello. Sighted vessels only at long range.
	Gelli, Ugo	5 Sep 1940	1345	La Maddalena	5 Sep 1940	1955	La Maddalena	48,5	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	28 Sep 1940	1400	La Maddalena	28 Sep 1940	1740	La Maddalena	14	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	30 Sep 1940	0930	La Maddalena	30 Sep 1940	1240	La Maddalena	8	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	1 Oct 1940	1930	La Maddalena	2 Oct 1940	1415	Cagliari	180	Passage La Maddalena-Cagliari.
	Gelli, Ugo	7 Oct 1940	2355	Cagliari	9 Oct 1940	0850	Messina	336	Passage Cagliari-Messina.
4	Gelli, Ugo	13 Oct 1940	0040	Messina	25 Oct 1940	1330	Augusta	1952	Patrolled between meridians 25°35'E and 26°40'E, and between 32°30'N and points 20 miles and 12 miles from the coast respectively for each meridian, on a barrage line with Toti, Anfitrite, Topazio and Speri.
	Gelli, Ugo	5 Nov 1940	0700	Augusta	7 Nov 1940	1235	La Spezia	566	Passage Augusta-La Spezia.
	Gelli, Ugo	11 Dec 1940	0900	La Spezia	11 Dec 1940	1040	La Spezia	6	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	14 Dec 1940	0850	La Spezia	14 Dec 1940	1800	La Spezia	60	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	21 Dec 1940	0815	La Spezia	21 Dec 1940	1200	La Spezia	18	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	11 Jan 1941	1305	La Spezia	11 Jan 1941	1823	La Spezia	43	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	14 Jan 1941	0835	La Spezia	14 Jan 1941	1458	La Spezia	46,6	Trials.
	Gelli, Ugo	15 Jan 1941	1250	La Spezia	15 Jan 1941	1745	La Spezia	35	Trials.
5	Gelli, Ugo	2 Feb 1941	1920	La Spezia	5 Feb 1941	1310	La Spezia	426	Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa from 43°50'N, 08°30'E, in a line 180° - 20 miles and a line 240° - 20 miles, on a barrage line with Scirè. Uneventful.
6	Gelli, Ugo	16 Feb 1941	2200	La Spezia	18 Feb 1941	1805	La Spezia	200	Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa, between 43°20'N and between 43°50'N, and between 08°50'E and 09°00'E. Uneventful.
	Gelli, Ugo	28 Feb 1941	1115	La Spezia	28 Feb 1941	1635	La Spezia	46	Tests.
7	Gelli, Ugo	10 Mar 1941	2230	La Spezia	12 Mar 1941	1333	La Spezia	232	Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa, from 44°12'N, 09°00'E, on a line 5 miles SW, on a barrage line with Colonna. Uneventful.
	Gelli, Ugo	14 Mar 1941	1555	La Spezia	16 Mar 1941	1415	Messina	488	Passage La Spezia-Messina.
8	Gelli, Ugo	19 Mar 1941	1700	Messina	5 Apr 1941	1720	Messina	1225	Patrolled between Alexandria and Cape Krio, on a patrol line 20 miles SW and NE from 32°40'N, 27°20'E.
		22 Mar 1941	0055		At 0055 hours, a small vessel was sighted at a range of 3,000 metres steering 280° at fast speed.
		26 Mar 1941	0230		At 0230 hours, a vessel believed to be a destroyer was sighted at a distance of 1,000 metres.proceeding at 25 knots. Ascianghi did not have time to carry out an attack. At 1355 hours, explosions were heard very near (perhaps bombs as the hydrophones did not detect anything).
	Gelli, Ugo	22 Apr 1941	0815	Messina	22 Apr 1941	1700	Messina	65	Trials with the auxiliary Castiglia.
	Gelli, Ugo	24 Apr 1941	0935	Messina	24 Apr 1941	1745	Messina	47	Trials.
9	Gelli, Ugo	25 Apr 1941	2050	Messina	26 Apr 1941	1210	Messina	147,7	Defensive patrol following a report of an enemy naval force from the east. Recalled very quickly.
	Gelli, Ugo	28 Apr 1941	0825	Messina	28 Apr 1941	1450	Messina	44	Exercises escorted by R.D.57.
10	Pailli, Piero	2 May 1941	1900	Messina	14 May 1941	1500	Leros	1393	Patrolled southwest of Crete, between (1) 35°20'N, 23°00'E (2) 35°00'N, 23°00'E (3) 35°00'N, 24°00'E (4) 34°40'N, 24°00'E then off Sollum and Mersa Matruh. Uneventful.
	Pailli, Piero	9 Jun 1941	0810	Leros	9 Jun 1941	1108	Leros	17	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	10 Jul 1941	0700	Portolago (Leros)	10 Jul 1941	1235	Portolago (Leros)	34	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	17 Jul 1941	0710	Portolago (Leros)	17 Jul 1941	1710	Portolago (Leros)	59	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	18 Jul 1941	0705	Portolago (Leros)	18 Jul 1941	1648	Portolago (Leros)	41	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	19 Jul 1941	0726	Portolago (Leros)	19 Jul 1941	1725	Portolago (Leros)	43	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	22 Jul 1941	0945	Portolago (Leros)	22 Jul 1941	1150	Portolago (Leros)	7,7	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	23 Jul 1941	0710	Portolago (Leros)	23 Jul 1941	0752	Portolago (Leros)	4,8	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	24 Jul 1941	0715	Portolago (Leros)	24 Jul 1941	1735	Portolago (Leros)	61	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	25 Jul 1941	0715	Portolago (Leros)	25 Jul 1941	1747	Portolago (Leros)	53	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	1 Aug 1941	0715	Portolago (Leros)	1 Aug 1941	1715	Portolago (Leros)	41,5	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	2 Aug 1941	0700	Portolago (Leros)	2 Aug 1941	1722	Portolago (Leros)	46	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	6 Aug 1941	0650	Portolago (Leros)	6 Aug 1941	1718	Portolago (Leros)	42	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	9 Aug 1941	1350	Portolago (Leros)	9 Aug 1941	1804	Portolago (Leros)	26	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	16 Aug 1941	0640	Portolago (Leros)	16 Aug 1941	1242	Portolago (Leros)	29,3	Exercises.
	Di Serio, Olinto	20 Aug 1941	0640	Portolago (Leros)	20 Aug 1941	1125	Portolago (Leros)	25,5	Exercises.
11	Di Serio, Olinto	24 Aug 1941	2000	Leros	31 Aug 1941	0815	Leros	555	Patrolled in the Cyclades, off Kalogeri, Cape Koraka, Karlovassi and Panormos Point. Uneventful.
12	Di Serio, Olinto	17 Sep 1941	0720	Leros	25 Sep 1941	0613	Rhodes	938	Patrolled between 33°40'N and 34°40'N, and between 34°40'E and the Syrian coast (off Beirut) and reconnaissance of the bay of Famagusta.
		21 Sep 1941	2146 2300 (e)	33° 57'N, 35° 04'E (0) 332° - Ras Beirut - 7.8 miles.	At 2142 hours, a vessel believed to be a 12,000-ton tanker, was sighted at a distance slightly over 1,000 metres, travelling at 8 knots. At 2146 hours, a single torpedo was fired from a bow tube at a range of 700 metres. It missed narrowly ahead. Shortly after, a second torpedo was fired but the target must have seen it and altered course. It also missed. This was the Palestinian tanker Antar (385 GRT, built 1890) on passage from Beirut to Haifa. At 2152 hours, a pair of torpedoes were fired from the bow tubes. T.V. Olinto Di Serio claimed both torpedoes hit, one forward and one aft. It is surprising if they did, as surely such a small vessel would have been destroyed by them. The vessel was observed to fire three rockets, two red and one green. The crew abandoned ship in lifeboats. At 2159 hours, the submarine opened fire to finish her off. Some hits registered but, after the fifth round the gun jammed. At 2218 hours, the gun had not yet been repaired, so two torpedoes were fired from the stern tubes at a range of 400 metres. They both had erratic courses and missed the target. At 2224 hours, gunfire was resumed with 21 rounds from close range. Most of them hit and the tanker was set afire and sank at 2229 hours. At least, this was as reported by T.V. Olinto Di Serio. Despite the punishment, Antar was still afloat. There were no casualties. The fifteen survivors were reported picked up by a Lebanese fishing vessel. Later the armed trawler HMSAS Southern Isles took the hull in tow and was bombed in the process but was undamaged. However, Antar finally sank on 23 September.
	Di Serio, Olinto	26 Sep 1941	1950	Rhodes	27 Sep 1941	0830	Portolago (Leros)	110	Passage Rhodes-Leros.
	Di Serio, Olinto	10 Oct 1941	0800	Portolago (Leros)	10 Oct 1941	1215	Portolago (Leros)	23	Trials.
	Di Serio, Olinto	17 Oct 1941	0750	Portolago (Leros)	17 Oct 1941	1035	Portolago (Leros)	23	Trials.
13	Di Serio, Olinto	17 Oct 1941	1805	Leros	24 Oct 1941	0235	Leros	580	Patrolled in Scarpanto Channel from 36°40'N, 26°40'E to 35°20'N, 27°34'E. Uneventful.
	Di Serio, Olinto	10 Nov 1941	1030	Leros	10 Nov 1941	1218	Leros	2,5	Trials.
	Di Serio, Olinto	11 Nov 1941	0910	Leros	11 Nov 1941	1120	Leros	1,5	Trials.
14	Di Serio, Olinto	11 Nov 1941	1705	Leros	26 Nov 1941	0825	Leros	1464	Patrolled in 33°20'N, 33°00'E then, after a week, in area north of 33°40'N and Bay of Morphon, mostly off Beirut and Haifa. This patrol was marred by numerous defects.
		13 Nov 1941	0307	32° 28'N, 32° 50'E	At 0307 hours, a small fishing vessel or a patrol boat was sighted. Ascianghi turned away.
15	Di Serio, Olinto	10 Dec 1941	0310	Leros	22 Dec 1941	1525	Brindisi	1418,5	Patrolled south of Crete, between 32°50'N and 35°20'N, and between 22°50'E and 24°25'E (Grids 4456 and 9856). Returned via 36°36'N, 20°35'E and Point A from Santa Maria di Leuca.
		14 Dec 1941	1408	(0) About 100 miles north of Sidi Barrani.	At 1408 hours, information was received from MARICOSOM (1009/14) that an enemy naval force of three battleships and nine destroyers had been sighted at 96 miles NNW of Ras Haleima (Sidi Barrani), steering 315°, 22 knots. T.V. Olinto Di Serio altered course to an intercept position six miles away, which he expected the enemy would cross at 1630 hours. At 1714 hours, Ascianghi received a new signal reporting a change of course, which would put the enemy much farther south. The submarine surfaced at 1730 hours and proceed at full speed on a 225° course in the hope that the enemy might slow down. At 2200 hours she had sighted nothing.
	Di Serio, Olinto	26 Dec 1941		Brindisi	26 Dec 1941		Brindisi		While changing moorings, the cable towing the M.R. Zara snapped and the vessel collided with Ascianghi causing slight damage to the submarine.
		26 Dec 1941	0925+	(0) At La Spezia.	At 0925 hours, the auxiliary Zara (1,976 GRT, built 1931) had arrived at Brindisi from convoy escort duty. While being towed by tugs to her moorings, a cable snapped and she collided with the stern of Ascianghi. Only minor damages were inflicted to a hydroplane and torpedo tube no. 6. They did not affect the seaworthiness of the submarine.
	Di Serio, Olinto	30 Dec 1941	1535	Brindisi	1 Jan 1942	0900	Pola	365	Passage Brindisi-Pola.
	Di Serio, Olinto	3 Jan 1942	0812	Pola	3 Jan 1942	1510	Monfalcone	74	Passage Pola-Monfalcone.
	Resio, Mario	6 May 1942	0850	Monfalcone	6 May 1942	1530	Monfalcone	66	Trials.
	Resio, Mario	18 May 1942	1020	Monfalcone	18 May 1942	1655	Monfalcone	55	Trials.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	22 May 1942	0930	Monfalcone	22 May 1942	1616	Pola	46	Trials.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	25 May 1942	0906	Monfalcone	25 May 1942	1610	Pola	55	Trials.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	27 May 1942	0835	Monfalcone	27 May 1942	1555	Pola	75	Passage Monfalcone-Pola with the submarine Toti.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	28 May 1942	1845	Pola	28 May 1942	2052	Pola		Diving trials in harbour.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	30 May 1942	0622	Pola	30 May 1942	2105	Pola	138,5	Diving trials, escorted by the auxiliary San Giorgio.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	1 Jun 1942	0940	Pola	1 Jun 1942	2018	Pola	14	Exercises.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	2 Jun 1942	0630	Pola	2 Jun 1942	1220	Fiume	68	Passage Pola-Fiume.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	3 Jun 1942	1000	Fiume	4 Jun 1942	0240	Fiume		Exercises with the submarines Manara and Menotti, escorted by the torpedo boat Insidioso.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	6 Jun 1942	0930	Fiume	6 Jun 1942	1825	Fiume		Exercises with the submarines Bandiera and Serpente, escorted by the torpedo boat Insidioso.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	7 Jun 1942		Fiume	7 Jun 1942		Fiume		Exercises.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	9 Jun 1942	1005	Fiume	13 Jun 1942	1130	Trapani	883,5	Passage Fiume-Trapani.
16	Bombig, Rodolfo	14 Jun 1942	0930	Trapani	18 Jun 1942	1630	Trapani	494	Sailed escorted by the torpedo boat Dezza until 1604 hours on the 14th and patrolled west of Malta, between 35°40'N and 36°00' N, and between 13°00'E and 13°20'E, to intercept a large convoy.
		15 Jun 1942	1300	35° 47'N, 13° 06'E	At 1300 hours, a smoke was sighted on the horizon. Ascianghi attempted to close but lost sight of it.
		15 Jun 1942	1600	35° 51'N, 13° 05'E	At 1600 hours, a convoy of four merchant vessels with six destroyers were sighted (operation HARPOON). Ascianghi could not close to attack.
		16 Jun 1942	0915	35° 50'N, 13° 05'E	At 0915 hours, the wreck of a CANT Z.506 no 288-7 seaplane was sighted. Ascianghi looked for survivors without success.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	19 Jun 1942	1740	Trapani	20 Jun 1942		Messina		Passage Trapani-Messina.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	20 Jun 1942	2120	Messina	21 Jun 1942	0652	Augusta	303,5	Passage Messina-Augusta.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	26 Jun 1942	0025	Augusta	27 Jun 1942	0645	Trapani	303,5	Passage Augusta-Trapani.
17	Bombig, Rodolfo	28 Jun 1942	0800	Trapani	11 Jul 1942	1728	Trapani	1215	Patrolled east of La Galite Island and north of Cape Blanc, between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and between 09°20'E and 10°00'E, to intercept enemy traffic. Uneventful. Sighted only French ships. Dived twice because of unknown aircraft.
18	Bombig, Rodolfo	11 Aug 1942	1206	Trapani	17 Aug 1942	1736	Trapani	708,5	Sailed with the submarines Dessiè and Alagi. Escorted by the auxiliary minesweeper R.D.4 until 1530 hours on the 11th. Patrolled between 37°20'N and 38°00'N, and between 10°00'E and 10°40'E, off the north coast of Tunisia.
		12 Aug 1942	1940	37° 40'N, 10° 30'E	At 1940 hours, a convoy was sighted at 15-20,0000 metres. This was the PEDESTAL convoy. Ascianghi could not close to attack, but observed columns of smoke and explosions at long range.
		16 Aug 1942	0555		At 0555 hours, the silhouette of a submarine, probably Italian, was sighted at less than 1,000 metres. Ascianghi turned away.
19	Bombig, Rodolfo	17 Aug 1942	2350	Trapani	19 Aug 1942	0245	Trapani	245	Sailed with Alagi and Asteria, escorted by an R.D. (minesweeper) vessel until 0245 hours on the 18th, for patrol between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and between 09°20'E and 10°20'E, and patrolled off north coast of Tunisia. Upon her return was met by escort at 2355 hours on the 18th.
		18 Aug 1942	0617		At 0617 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		18 Aug 1942	1154		At 1154 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	20 Aug 1942	0911	Trapani	20 Aug 1942	1930	Trapani	100	Passage to Messina but then ordered back.
	Bombig, Rodolfo	22 Aug 1942	0505	Trapani	23 Aug 1942	0645	Messina	247,5	Passage Trapani-Messina.
	Erler, Rino	6 Sep 1942	0900	Messina	6 Sep 1942	1415	Messina	33,5	Exercises.
	Erler, Rino	9 Sep 1942	0835	Messina	9 Sep 1942	1325	Messina	33,5	Exercises.
	Erler, Rino	14 Sep 1942	0750	Messina	14 Sep 1942	1305	Messina	36	Exercises.
	Erler, Rino	17 Sep 1942	0800	Messina	17 Sep 1942	1255	Messina	31,5	Exercises.
	Erler, Rino	19 Sep 1942	0800	Messina	19 Sep 1942	1305	Messina	31	Exercises escorted by AS.16.
	Erler, Rino	4 Oct 1942	1345	Messina	4 Oct 1942	1757	Messina	26	Exercises and trials.
	Erler, Rino	16 Oct 1942	0820	Messina	16 Oct 1942	1224	Messina	25	Exercises and trials.
	Erler, Rino	21 Oct 1942	0834	Messina	21 Oct 1942	1231	Messina	28	Exercises and trials.
	Erler, Rino	23 Oct 1942	1800	Messina	24 Oct 1942	1431	Naples	195	Passage Messina-Naples.
	Erler, Rino	27 Oct 1942	0000	Naples	27 Oct 1942	2145	Messina	197,5	Passage Naples-Messina.
20	Erler, Rino	1 Nov 1942	2135	Messina	4 Nov 1942	0940	Tobruk	594	Supply mission to Tobruk (18 tons of German ammunition), escorted by the torpedo boat Abba across the Straits of Messina, until 0035 hours on 2nd November. She rescued twenty Germans whose aircraft had been shot down and landed them at Tobruk.
		3 Nov 1942	0625-1200		During the period of 0625-1200 hours, many German aircraft were seen. Ascianghi exchanged recognition signals on eight occasions during the morning.
		3 Nov 1942	1330+	(0) Off the Libyan coast.	At 1330 hours, a formation of eighteen German transport aircraft (probably Junkers 52) were observed flying to Libya. One of them suddenly began to gradually lose altitude and crashed into the sea. Ascianghi rushed in heavy seas and managed to pick up twenty German survivors, including several wounded. They were later landed at Tobruk. At 1600 hours, two Germans seaplanes were sighted, apparently looking for survivors. The submarine signalled them that she had picked them up.
		3 Nov 1942	1600+	(0) Off the Libyan coast.	After 1600 hours, the submarine Zoea was encountered. She was also proceeding to Tobruk and they exchanged recognition signals.
		3 Nov 1942	1828	(0) Off the Libyan coast.	At 1828 hours, a hospital ship was sighted.
		3 Nov 1942	1840	(0) Off the Libyan coast.	At 1840 hours, a submarine that could not be identified was sighted. Ascianghi turned away.
		3 Nov 1942	2307	(0) Off the Libyan coast.	At 2307 hours, an hospital ship was sighted.
20b	Erler, Rino	4 Nov 1942	1740	Tobruk	7 Nov 1942	1300	Augusta	606	Return trip from Tobruk. At 1900 hours on the 6th, had been ordered to patrol off Pantelleria but was short on fuel.
		6 Nov 1942	0510		At 0510 hours, an hospital ship was sighted.
20c	Erler, Rino	7 Nov 1942	1900	Augusta	8 Nov 1942	1920	Trapani	220	Passage Augusta-Trapani. Uneventful.
20d	Erler, Rino	9 Nov 1942	0217	Trapani	18 Nov 1942	0957	Naples	1580	Patrolled off Bougie and Philippeville, between 37°00'N and 37°20'N, 05°55'E and 06°35'E. Then refit at Naples.
		12 Nov 1942	0030	36° 44'N, 5° 10'E	At 0030 hours, a corvette was sighted. Ascianghi crash-dived at dropped to the bottom at a depth of 57 metres.
		12 Nov 1942	0800+ 0855 (e)	(e) 36° 43'N, 5° 12'E (0) Off Bougie.	At 0800 hours, Ascianghi had dived to the bottom, which this proved very muddy and, she became stuck. As efforts were being made to free the submarine by blowing the ballasts, she was sighted by the frigate HMS Spey at 0810A hours. She was also sighted at 0855 hours by the destroyer ORP Blyskawica which was oiling from the tanker Dewdale (8,265 GRT, built 1941). At 0900 hours, the Polish destroyer observed two trawlers and three sloops (one of them probably HMS Spey) depth charging the submarine and joined the hunt, dropping four depth charges at 0912 hours. At 0951 hours, ORP Blyskawica followed up with two more attacks, delivering five depth charges each time. Ascianghi reported about 100 depth-charges dropped in all but managed to escape by going down to a depth of 70-80 meters. Since the harbour and anchorage were under heavy air attacks during the day (1110-1153, 1440, 1521 hours), it is possible that the submarine mistook these for depth-charges.
		15 Nov 1942	0342	36° 45'N, 5° 11'E	At 0339 hours, Ascianghi was about 4 miles from then entrance of the harbour of Bougie, when the stern lookout spotted a dark mass. At first, it was believed it could be a submarine but then was identified as a CALEDON class cruiser with two destroyers. At 0342 hours, she fired two torpedoes from her stern tubes at a range of 3,300 metres, but it was then realised that the cruiser was proceeding at a slower speed than estimated, causing them to miss ahead. After 167 seconds, an explosion was heard, which T.V. Rino Erler assumed to be that of the torpedo having hit another vessel. Immediately after, G.M. Ansaldo drew Erler's attention to another ship in the vicinity. At 0346.5 hours, the newcomer was identified as a cruiser of the LEANDER class and two torpedoes were fired (533mm, Italian type, speed 46 knots), aimed at it, at a range of 700 metres. Both torpedoes hit, after 30 seconds with a loud explosion,followed shortly after by a third explosion, believed to have been caused by a boiler blowing up. The vessel was broken in two and sank. The "cruiser" was actually the minesweeper HMS Algerine (J213, 1,040 tons, Lieutenant Commander Wilfrid Alan Cooke, RN) ). Survivors confirmed that she was struck by two torpedoes and sank in five minutes. Nine officers and seventy-one ratings were killed or missing. Thirty-two survivors were picked up by the minesweeper HMS Cadmus. Seventeen survivors were picked up by H.M. ships HMS Alarm, HMS Hoy and HMS Mull. Four died of their wounds.
	Erler, Rino	12 Dec 1942	0840	Naples	12 Dec 1942	1311	Naples	23	Trials.
	Erler, Rino	18 Dec 1942	1055	Naples	18 Dec 1942	1700	Naples	36	Trials.
	Erler, Rino	20 Dec 1942	0832	Naples	20 Dec 1942	1715	Naples	23	Exercises and gyrocompass tests.
	Erler, Rino	21 Dec 1942	1330	Naples	21 Dec 1942	1725	Naples	29	Trials.
	Erler, Rino	23 Dec 1942	0903	Naples	23 Dec 1942	1320	Naples	38	Trials.
	Erler, Rino	24 Dec 1942	0650	Naples	25 Dec 1942	0715	Augusta	250	Passage Naples-Augusta.
	Erler, Rino	2 Jan 1943	0905	Augusta	2 Jan 1943	1236	Augusta	21,5	Exercises.
21	Erler, Rino	3 Jan 1943	1710	Augusta	21 Jan 1943	0845	Augusta	1611	Patrolled off Cyrenaica, between Ras Hilal and Derna, between 34°00'N and Libyan coast, and between 21°00'E and 21°30'E. Uneventful except for the bad weather encountered.
	Erler, Rino	9 Feb 1943	0900	Augusta	9 Feb 1943	1130	Augusta	14,5	Exercises.
22	Erler, Rino	18 Feb 1943	1810	Augusta	5 Mar 1943	1020	Augusta	1724,5	Patrolled in Gulf of Sirte, between 31°54'N and 32°06'N, and between 15°50'E and 16°40'E.
		22 Feb 1943	2300	32° 03'N, 16° 04'E	At 2300 hours, an escorted convoy was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres. Ascianghi closed to about 2,000 meters and dived at 2307 hours but lost contact.
		2 Mar 1943	0231	31° 47'N, 16° 43'E	At 0227 hours, the First Officer, who was Officer of the Watch, alerted T.V. Erler that he had a destroyer and an undetermined number of merchant ships in his sights, steering 300°, 12 knots. At 0231 hours, three torpedoes (533mm) were fired from the bow tubes at a range of 800 metres aimed at the destroyer described as of the JERVIS classs. A fourth torpedo misfired. Ascianghi immediately crash-dived. After 40.5 seconds, she had reached a depth of 16 metres, when a double explosion was heard followed by a third one after 73 seconds. This led Erler to believe he had hit the destroyer with two torpedoes and a merchant ship behind with the third. Unfortunately, Allied records have not confirmed these claims.
		4 Mar 1943	0755		At 0755 hours, a Blenheim bomber was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres. Ascianghi dived.
	Erler, Rino	20 Mar 1943	1520	Augusta	21 Mar 1943	1815	Naples	274	Passage Augusta-Naples for docking.
	Erler, Rino	23 Mar 1943	1310	Naples	23 Mar 1943	1828	Naples	4	Exercises.
	Erler, Rino	28 Mar 1943	1325	Naples	28 Mar 1943	1535	Naples	18	Exercises.
	Erler, Rino	30 Mar 1943	1115	Naples	30 Mar 1943	1300	Naples	11	Exercises.
	Erler, Rino	4 Apr 1943	0400	Naples	5 Apr 1943	0850	La Maddalena	250,2	Passage Naples-La Maddalena.
	Erler, Rino	6 Apr 1943	0950	La Maddalena	6 Apr 1943	1640	Ajaccio	68,1	Passage La Maddalena-Ajaccio.
	Erler, Rino	26 Apr 1943	1430	Ajaccio	28 Apr 1943	0755	Naples	299	Passage Ajaccio-Naples.
	Erler, Rino	12 May 1943	0050	Castellamare Di Stabia	13 May 1943	0740	Cagliari		Passage Castellamare Di Stabia-Cagliari.
	Erler, Rino	14 May 1943	2200	Cagliari	16 May 1943	0800	Castellamare Di Stabia		Passage Cagliari-Castellamare Di Stabia.
	Erler, Rino	26 Jun 1943	Time?	Pozzuoli	26 Jun 1943	Time?	Naples	12,9	Passage Pozzuoli-Naples.
	Fiorini, Mario	11 Jul 1943	Time?	Naples	11 Jul 1943	Time?	Pozzuoli?		Exercises.
23	Fiorini, Mario	16 Jul 1943	1650	Pozzuoli	23 Jul 1943	1530	Sunk	?	Sailed for patrol southeast of Sicily in 36°50'N, 15°50'E, about 30 miles SE of Augusta. On 20th July, ordered to area between Augusta and Catania. Sunk in 37°03.5'N, 15°24'E by HMS Laforey and HMS Eclipse. Twenty-seven of her crew were picked up (including her commanding officer), twenty-three were lost.
		23 Jul 1943	1500 1349Z (e)		The details of this attack are not well known as Ascianghi did not return from patrol. In the afternoon of 23rd July, the light cruiser HMS Newfoundland was torpedoed by U-407. As the stricken vessel managed to limp away to Malta, the destroyer HMS Laforey (D.19) was left behind to hunt the U-boat. At 1428B hours, HMS Laforey had carried out an attack, believed to be on a non-sub contact. At 1440 hours, she had been joined by the destroyers HMS Faulknor (D.8), HMS Inglefield, HMS Ilex, HMS Raider and HMS Eclipse for the antisubmarine sweep. At 1549B hours, two torpedo tracks were sighted by HMS Laforey and HMS Eclipse, apparently fired from about 3,500 yards. The two destroyers combed the tracks. This was Ascianghi who had fired two stern torpedoes at the destroyer, mistaking her for a cruiser. At 1550B hours, Laforey dropped a pattern of eight depth charges set from 150 to 300 feet. At 1554B hours, Eclipse dropped a pattern of eight depth charges set at 100 feet. At 1557B hours, Laforey dropped a second pattern of eight depth charges set from 350 to 550 feet. At 1608B hours, Eclipse dropped a pattern of eight depth charges set from 250 to 350 feet. At 1615B hours, Laforey dropped a third and final pattern of eight depth charges set from 150 to 385 feet. About a minute and half after this attack, Ascianghi surfaced in the wake of Laforey and was immediately engaged with gunfire by all the destroyers in the group. Laforey fired 62 4" rounds, claiming six certain hits, and 83 20mm rounds from about 800 yards. Ascianghi sank stern first at 1623 hours. Twenty-three men perished. Twenty-seven survivors (including S.T.V. Mario Fiorini) were picked up.

138 entries. 115 total patrol entries (23 marked as war patrols) and 37 events.

All Italian submarines

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