Italian submarines in World War Two


Veniero (VN, I.22)
Veniero

TypeOcean going 
ClassMarcello (12) 
Laid down 23 Jan 1937 Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone
Launched14 Feb 1938
Commissioned6 Jun 1938
End service
Stricken
Loss date7 Jun 1942
Loss position
History
Fate Lost, date and cause unknown. The report that she was sunk on 7th June 1942 north-east of Algiers in position 37°52'N, 04°05'E by a British Catalina aircraft (RAF 202 Sq./M) is an error. The submarine attacked was in fact Benedetto Brin.

Commands


CommanderDate fromDate toCommand notes
C.C. Folco Buonamici23 Feb 194026 Aug 1940
C.C. Manlio Petroni27 Aug 19405 Jul 1941
T.V. Elio Zappetta7 Jul 19419 Jun 1942

Ships hit


DateCommanderShip hitTypeGRTNat.Loss type
1.18 Dec 1940C.C. Manlio PetroniAnastassiaCargo ship2,883GreekSunk
2.24 Mar 1941C.C. Manlio PetroniAgnete MaerskCargo ship2,104BritishSunk

Patrols and events

 CommanderDateTimePortArr. dateArr. timeArr. portMilesDescription
1Buonamici, Folco8 Jun 19402200La Spezia21 Jun 19401300La Spezia1238Patrolled south of Hyeres Island between 42°24'N and 42°54'N, and between 06°00'E and 06°40'E.
  13 Jun 19401447
(0) South of Hyeres Island.
At 1447 hours, Veniero was a depth of 25 metres when she was hit by an object. It was suspected that this may have been an aircraft bomb which failed to explode.
  13 Jun 19401900
(0) South of Hyeres Island.
At 1900 hours, at a distance of 6,000 metres, Veniero sighted a French submarine of the SIRÈNE class on a 040° course. It had not been detected by the hydrophones. The Italian submarine maneuvered to attack but lost contact.

Buonamici, Folco1 Jul 19400735La Spezia1 Jul 19401310La Spezia50Hydrophone trials with torpedo boat Audace in 165° - Monte Moneglia - 3.5 miles.

2Buonamici, Folco2 Jul 19401100La Spezia1 Aug 19400815La Spezia3176Attempted to reach the Atlantic and crossed Strait of Gibraltar during the night of 7/8th July. Operated off the Canaries in bad weather without result (sighted mostly Spanish ships) and returned through the Strait of Gibraltar (27/28th July).
  15 Jul 19400800-0925
(0) Off Island of Gomera (Canaries).
At 0800 hours, Veniero observed a tanker proceeding to Santa Cruz of Teneriffe. The submarine maneuvered to attack but the heavy seas made the pursuit difficult. At 0925 hours, the chase was abandoned.

Petroni, Manlio27 Aug 19400920La Spezia27 Aug 19401530La Spezia50Exercises.

Petroni, Manlio4 Sep 19400834La Spezia4 Sep 19401610La Spezia59Exercises.

Petroni, Manlio6 Sep 19400838La Spezia6 Sep 19401256La Spezia2,5Exercises.

Petroni, Manlio7 Sep 19400635La Spezia7 Sep 19401315La Spezia60,5Exercises.

Petroni, Manlio12 Sep 19401304La Spezia12 Sep 19401743La Spezia35Exercises.

Petroni, Manlio18 Sep 19400825La Spezia18 Sep 19401823La Spezia63Exercises.

Petroni, Manlio21 Sep 19400848La Spezia21 Sep 19401500La Spezia73,5Exercises with a tug in 44°09.5'N, 09°30'40'E.

3Petroni, Manlio28 Sep 19400640La Spezia2 Nov 19401415Le Verdon4676Patrolled south of Azores (between 35°25'N and 37°00'N, and between 16°50'W and 32°00'W before reaching Bordeaux. Passed Gibraltar on 3rd October 1940. Escorted in by M-13.
  2 Nov 1940085545° 25'N, 4° 00'WAt 0855 hours, two torpedo tracks were reported by the executive officer as the submarine was proceeding on the surface at 14 knots. They missed astern. These were probably porpoises as no British submarine carried an attack in this area on that day.

3bPetroni, Manlio2 Nov 19401500Le Verdon2 Nov 19401915BordeauxPassage Le Verdon-Bordeaux.
  2 Nov 1940085545° 25'N, 4° 00'WAt 0855 hours, two torpedo tracks were reported by the executive officer as the submarine was proceeding on the surface at 14 knots. They missed astern. These were probably porpoises as no British submarine carried an attack in this area on that day.

4Petroni, Manlio5 Dec 19401115Bordeaux5 Dec 19401515Le VerdonPassage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

4bPetroni, Manlio5 Dec 19401740Le Verdon2 Jan 19411440Le Verdon3589Sailed through 49°00'N, 19°00'W for an Atlantic patrol between 55°00'N and 56°00'N, and between 17°00'W and 20°00'W.
  18 Dec 19400515+54° 24'N, 19° 04'WAt 0515 hours, Veniero sighted a merchant vessel at 3,500 metres. When the range had closed to 800 metres, a torpedo (450mm) was fired from a bow tube. It missed astern. The target was the Greek steamer Anastassia (2,883 GRT, built 1905) from convoy SC.15d on passage from Halifax to Belfast.

At 0525 hours, Veniero had reverted course to make a stern shot (533mm) from a distance of 500 metres but and it hit amidship.

Shortly after, as Anastassia was settling very slowly, Veniero fired off three rounds, two of which hit to accelerate her sinking. In fact, she had not yet sunk as she would be found derelict on 20th December. Veniero later returned and picked up eight survivors although this was against her orders. Nineteen were killed or missing.
  27 Dec 19401115
1020 (e)

(e) 53° 41'N, 16° 03'W
At 1115 hours, Veniero sighted an aircraft approaching. She could not make a recognition signal as the cartridge did not work. As a precaution, the submarine dived and had reached a depth of 20 metres when three explosions were heard. The attack had been made by Sunderland 'B' (N9049) of 10 Squadron (RAAF) piloted by Flying Officer V.A. Hodgkinson. It had been looking for a convoy to escort, when a half submerged U-boat was sighted at a distance of 3 miles.

The aircraft swooped down to a height of 100 feet and a stick of four depth charges was released after the U-boat had totally submerged. The first depth charge fell 100 yards in front of the swirl and along the estimated track. The remaining three fell along the track at 125 foot intervals. The Sunderland remained in the vicinity for an hour but no results to the attack were observed.

4cPetroni, Manlio3 Jan 1941Le Verdon3 Jan 1941BlayePassage Le Verdon-Blaye.

4dPetroni, Manlio5 Jan 19411000Blaye5 Jan 19411220BordeauxPassage Blaye-Bordeaux.

5Petroni, Manlio4 Mar 19411020Bordeaux4 Mar 1941?Le VerdonPassage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

5bPetroni, Manlio5 Mar 19411830?Le Verdon31 Mar 19411020Bordeaux4204Sailed for Atlantic patrol between 54°00'N and 55°00'N, and between 13°00'W and 25°00'W.
  8 Mar 1941133046° 00'N, 9° 50'WAt 1330 hours, an unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
  9 Mar 19410220At 0220 hours, Veniero was informed of a convoy in 53°30' N, 14°30' W. The submarine altered course to 290° at 11 knots to intercept but was then ordered by BETASOM to resume her course to her patrol area.
  18 Mar 1941022054° 44'N, 19° 52'WAt 0220 hours, a drifter was observed at 8,000 metres. Veniero dived to avoid being seen.
  19 Mar 19411153At 1153 hours, Veniero was informed of a convoy of 25-30 ships in 55°05' N, 21°15' W. The submarine altered course to 105° at 11 knots to intercept, but again altered course as she received more signals reporting the convoy. However, at 2156 hours, she had to stop her engines due to defects but managed to effect some repairs and resume her course. By 2000 hours on the 20th, she still had not made contact.
  21 Mar 19411645At 1645 hours, an enemy destroyer was observed at periscope depth at a distance of 8,000 metres after the hydrophones had picked up sounds. Veniero remained submerged and heard several noises during the following hours and believed she was being hunted by two or three destroyers.
  23 Mar 1941143048° 12'N, 17° 20'WAt 1430 hours, Veniero was informed of a convoy in 50°35' N, 18°45' W, steering 235° at 7 knots. The submarine altered course to 280° at 10 knots to intercept.
  24 Mar 19411630
1430 (e)
48° 50'N, 22° 45'W
(e) 49° 00'N, 21° 55'W
At 1609 hours, a vessel was observed at a distance of 8,000 metres. It tried to escape.

At 1630 hours, Veniero opened fire. She stopped and was abandoned. This was the British steamer Agnete Maersk (2,104 GRT, built 1924), a straggler from convoy O.G.56.

Shortly after, Veniero fired two torpedoes at Agnete Maersk to finish her off. They missed under.

At 1650 hours, gunfire was resumed to try to finish off Agnete Maersk but she still did not sink.

At 1656 hours, a third torpedo was fired, but it also missed under.

At 1725 hours, gunfire was resumed again and this time Agnete Maersk was set afire and sank. Twenty-eight men were killed, there were no survivors.

6Petroni, Manlio20 May 19411410Bordeaux19 Jun 19411600Bordeaux5550,5Sailed for Atlantic patrol in approximate area 35°00'N, 11°00'W. On 2nd June, ordered to area between 33°00'N and the coast, and and between 08°00'W and 09°00'W. Escorted from Gironde buoy no.1 to le Verdon by Sperrbrecher III.
  25 May 1941125744° 30'N, 11° 00'WAt 1257 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted. Veniero prudently turned away.
  27 May 1941100038° 26'N, 11° 04'WAt 1000 hours, a steamer was sighted at 12,000 metres. Veniero closed and at 1112 hours, she dived for a submerged attack. At a distance of 1,500 metres, the vessel was recognised as the Spanish steamer Navemar (5,321 GRT, built 1921) steering 090° and the attack aborted. Navemar was sunk by the submarine Barbarigo in January 1942.
  30 May 19410118
0022 (e)
35° 40'N, 10° 32'W
(e) 35° 41'N, 10° 00'W
At 2345 hours on the 29th, Veniero received a BETASOM signal with the position of a convoy discovered by Argo. She had altered course to intercept when, at 0116 hours, a destroyer or sloop steering 250° was encountered. Two minutes later, she fired a torpedo (450mm, type W 200) from a stern tube. A hit was heard but the torpedo had missed. A second destroyer appeared and hunted the submarine for two hours, dropping 28 depth charges. Veniero escaped at depths between 30 and 50 metres and finally surfaced at 0305 hours. The target had been the destroyer HMS Forester and she was later joined by HMS Fury.
  30 May 19410658
(0) 35.00 N, 11.00 W approx.
At 0635 hours, a signal had been received from BETASOM relating to an enemy force and Veniero altered course to 260° to intercept. At 0658 hours, an aircraft carrier and two destroyers were sighted at a distance of 8-10,000 metres. Veniero dived immediately. At 0730 hours, three depth charges were heard but by 0840 hours, the noises had faded away. At 1035 hours, three distant explosions were heard.
  1 Jun 1941043737° 40'N, 11° 16'WAt 0437 hours, two patrol vessels were sighted.
  5 Jun 1941151033° 44'N, 9° 20'WAt 1510 hours, the Spanish steamer Sil (2,522 GRT, built 1928) was sighted.
  6 Jun 1941021534° 35'N, 11° 05'WAt 0215 hours, Veniero observed a 7,000-ton steamer and fired a torpedo (450mm, type W 200) from a bow tube. A hit was claimed and Petroni wrote that he saw her sinking, but this has not been confirmed. This was probably the British Ariosto (2,176 GRT, built 1940) from convoy OG.64 who reported being missed by torpedoes.
  6 Jun 1941021934° 35'N, 11° 05'WAt 0219 hours, as Veniero was turning she sighted a second ship estimated at 6,000 tons and fired a stern torpedo (450mm, type W 200). Another hit was claimed, but again it was not confirmed.
  8 Jun 1941134634° 38'N, 15° 00'WAt 1346 hours, a steamer was sighted. Veniero attempted to close but lost her in the mist.
  9 Jun 1941011034° 30'N, 14° 06'WAt 0110 hours, an illuminated steamer was seen. It was assumed to be neutral and was not disturbed.
  9 Jun 1941085034° 33'N, 14° 07'WAt 0850 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 10,000 metres and Veniero dived. An aircraft was again observed at 1050 hours, at the same distance. It was perhaps the same aircraft and the submarine dived again.
  10 Jun 1941
0750 (e)

(e) 35° 31'N, 14° 12'W
At 0750 hours, a Swordfish on A/S patrol for Force H sighted a submarine which had surfaced and then submerged. The aircraft attacked from a very low altitude and dropped six 100 lb A/S bombs. They failed to explode. The submarine may have been Veniero, who was in the area. Her patrol report is very brief and she may not have been aware of the attack.
  10 Jun 1941061535° 38'N, 15° 00'WAt 0615 hours, three destroyers were observed straight ahead. Veniero dived and prudently remained submerged until 1600 hours. Possibly, they were HMS Vansittart, HMS Wild Swan and HMS Wrestler, detached from Force H to Gibraltar.

Zappetta, Elio27 Jul 19410920Bordeaux27 Jul 1941Time?Le VerdonPassage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

Zappetta, Elio28 Jul 19410800Le Verdon29 Jul 19412005La Pallice151Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice with Marconi, escorted by two German minesweepers.

Zappetta, Elio3 Aug 1941Time?La Pallice3 Aug 1941Time?La PalliceExercises at Le Pertuis d'Antioche.

Zappetta, Elio4 Aug 1941Time?La Pallice4 Aug 1941Time?La PalliceExercises at Le Pertuis d'Antioche.

7Zappetta, Elio8 Aug 19412055La Pallice22 Aug 19410800La Spezia2758,5Passage La Pallice-La Spezia and Atlantic patrol. Passed Gibraltar on 17th August 1941. Zappetta's argument that a number of his men were not in good physical conditions because of the long patrols, was refuted by Admiral Parona, who pointed out that they benefitted from a long rest between patrols. Refit until October 1941.
  10 Aug 1941155842° 20'N, 12° 16'WAt 1558 hours, an aircraft was sighted and Veniero immediately dived and remained submerged until 1750 hours.
  11 Aug 1941185545° 15'N, 10° 26'WAt 1855 hours, an aircraft was sighted and Veniero immediately dived and remained submerged until 2100 hours.
  12 Aug 1941100040° 21'N, 12° 20'WVeniero was infomed that a convoy had been reported and that Finzi and Marconi were ordered to intercept. Zappetta, who was bringing his submarine back to Italy, took the initiative to join the chase as she was in a good position. The submarine altered course to 220°, intending to intercept in 39°16' N, 13°25' W. However, at 1530 hours, Veniero received a signal from BETASOM, ordering her to 39°05' N, 13°15' W.
  12 Aug 1941170539° 23'N, 13° 05'WAt 1705 hours, an aircraft was seen. Veniero dived but was not attacked. She surfaced at 2055 hours and reached the position (39°05' N, 13°15' W) ordered by BETASOM at 2150 hours.
  13 Aug 1941010039° 05'N, 13° 55'W
(0) Italian Grid 5191/61.
At 0100 hours, a convoy of about ten ships was sighted at a distance of 8-9,000 metres steering 300° at 7 knots (probably H.G.70). One vessel was around 8,000 tons but the others were mostly of medium size,. Veniero made an enemy report at 0126 hours and attempted to penetrate the convoy. At 0305 hours, a signal from BETASOM was deciphered, ordering the submarine to transmit, starting at 0230 hours, a homing signal every 30 minutes to allow other submarines to locate the convoy. This was too late to comply as, at 0318 hours, a destroyer was sighted at 2,000 meters rushing toward her and she was forced to submerge. When she surfaced at 0505 hours, she had lost contact.
  13 Aug 1941051539° 15'N, 14° 00'W
(0) Approximately.
At 0515 hours, a submarine was seen and the Veniero turned away.
  13 Aug 19410807
0706 (e)
38° 58'N, 14° 04'W
(e) 39° 12'N, 13° 49'W
At 0807 hours, an aircraft was suddenly observed flying low from a bank of clouds. There was no time to dive. The aircraft, identified as a seaplane of the Consolidate 28 type (Catalina), started strafing the submarine. Veniero was missed and turned to present her stern, while replying with her Breda guns, claiming several hits.

At 0820 hours, as the aircraft was at a distance, the submarine seized the opportunity to crash dive. As she reached a depth of 58 metres, she was shaken by an explosion which caused some damage. Once Veniero reached a depth of 100 metres, she escaped further attacks. The attack had been carried out by Catalina 'A' (W8410) of 202 Squadron, piloted by Squadron Leader G.P. Harger. It had begun by strafing the submarine, but had itself sustained a few hits although without serious damage. Two depth charges were released on the submarine after it had submerged, but one failed to explode.

Less than an hour later, the same aircraft attacked U-93 (KL Claus Korth). The U-boat suffered no damage.

Veniero passed the Straits of Gibraltar on 17th August without incident, only sighting the light of a patrol vessel at 0207 hours .

Zappetta, Elio17 Oct 19410805La Spezia17 Oct 19411805La Spezia75,5Trials with the submarines Malachite and Platino, escorted by MAS 572 and the auxiliary Capodistria.

Zappetta, Elio21 Oct 19410710La Spezia21 Oct 19412205La Spezia113,5Trials.

Zappetta, Elio24 Oct 19410710La Spezia24 Oct 19411740La Spezia85Trials, escorted by the auxiliary Capodistria.

Zappetta, Elio27 Oct 19411335La Spezia27 Oct 19411745La Spezia5,5Gyrocompass tests.

Zappetta, Elio28 Oct 19410802La Spezia28 Oct 19411855La Spezia82,5Exercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Crotone and Capodistria. Returned with the submarine H.6, escorted by the auxiliary Torre Annunziata.

Zappetta, Elio1 Nov 19410807La Spezia1 Nov 19411620La Spezia51Exercises.

Zappetta, Elio3 Nov 19410738La Spezia3 Nov 19410938La Spezia16Exercises.

Zappetta, Elio4 Nov 19410750La Spezia4 Nov 19411402La Spezia15Exercises, escorted by the tug Santantioco.

Zappetta, Elio5 Nov 19412210La Spezia7 Nov 19410952Naples353Passage La Spezia-Naples.

8Zappetta, Elio11 Nov 19412010Naples16 Nov 19411231Naples1054Patrolled between 41°30'N and 41°45'N, 08°10'E and Corsican coast. Uneventful.

Zappetta, Elio24 Nov 19410936La Spezia24 Nov 19411736La Spezia52Exercises.

Zappetta, Elio27 Nov 19410903La Spezia27 Nov 19411658La Spezia55Exercises.

Zappetta, Elio4 Dec 19411603Naples6 Dec 19410920Taranto513Passage Naples-Taranto with the submarine Mocenigo. They were to proceed on the surface at 12 knots via Cape Palinuro (2345/4), Cape Suvero (0630/5), Cape Peloro (1030/5), Cape Colonne (2330/5) and point M.2 (Taranto) at 0800/6.

9Zappetta, Elio9 Dec 19410659Taranto13 Dec 19411837Taranto1069Patrolled southeast of Malta between 34°00'N and 34°40'N, and between 15°20'E and 16°00'E.
  12 Dec 1941091535° 12'N, 17° 24'EAt 0915 hours, a derelict mine was sighted.
  12 Dec 1941092035° 12'N, 17° 24'E
(0) Approximately.
At 0920 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
  12 Dec 1941111035° 19'N, 17° 21'EAt 1110 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
  12 Dec 1941141435° 33'N, 17° 23'EAt 1414 hours, a derelict mine was sighted.

Zappetta, Elio15 Dec 19410807Taranto15 Dec 19411059Taranto12,4Exercises.

Zappetta, Elio18 Dec 19410943Taranto18 Dec 19411237Taranto13Exercises.

10Zappetta, Elio19 Dec 19411313Taranto23 Dec 19411915BardiaSupply mission to Bardia (6 tons of ammunition, 38 tons of food supplies). Uneventful except for several sightings of aircraft. The submarine arrived at Bardia at 1340 hours on the 23rd and stayed on the bottom at a depth of 55 meters waiting until dark to unload her cargo. British Intelligence was informed of her arrival through ULTRA decrypt.

10bZappetta, Elio24 Dec 19410335Bardia28 Dec 19410909Suda1258,5Return trip from supply mission to Bardia (with twelve British PoWs and eight wounded Germans) via 34°34'N, 23°38'E [mileage is from 18th December].
  27 Dec 19412220
(0) Near Suda.
At 2220 hours, the submarine Mocenigo was observed proceeding westward.
  28 Dec 19412250
(0) Suda Bay.
Veniero was at anchor at Suda Bay, awaiting the arrival of the auxiliary Barletta bringing stores for Libya. At 2250 hours, during an raid, a bomb fell about 70 metres from the submarine causing minor damages.

11Zappetta, Elio1 Jan 19421740Suda4 Jan 19420755Suda293Supply mission to Bardia (1985 cases of provisions), aborted when the town fell. At 1939 hours on the 2nd, the submarine received the order to turn back and returned to Suda. Uneventful.

11bZappetta, Elio8 Jan 19421718Suda11 Jan 19421545Taranto441Return trip from aborted supply mission to Bardia. Uneventful. Then refit until the end of February 1942.

Zappetta, Elio28 Feb 19420845Taranto28 Feb 19421425Taranto26,7Trials, escorted by Germanello.

Zappetta, Elio3 Mar 19420850Taranto3 Mar 19421830Taranto103Exercises.

12Zappetta, Elio4 Mar 19421947Taranto13 Mar 19421012Messina1125,2Patrolled east of Malta, between 36°20'N and 36°40'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E. From 11th May, she shifted to area between 35°20'N and 35°40'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E. Uneventful. Heard only H.E.

Zappetta, Elio18 Mar 19420835Messina18 Mar 19421642Messina93,5Trials, escorted by the auxiliary Marras.

13Zappetta, Elio29 Mar 19421950Messina18 Apr 19421020Cagliari2885,5Patrolled south of Balearic Islands and north of Algeria, between 38°20'N and 38°40'N, and between 02°20'E and 03°20'E. On 9th April ordered to area between 37°00'N and 37°20'N, and between 02°20'E and 03°00'E, patrolled in zone B. On 13th April, she was ordered by MARICOSOM to patrol in Grids 3718 and 0318. The submarine's hydrophones did not work properly.
  2 Apr 1942210038° 29'N, 3° 20'EAt 2100 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted at 8,000 metres. She appeared to be neutral and was not disturbed.
  7 Apr 1942221938° 25'N, 2° 58'EAt 2219 hours, in poor visibility, an aircraft suddenly appeared above the submarine at a distance of 400 metres. Veniero slowed down so that the phosphorescence of her wake could not be seen and although the aircraft apparently circled, the submarine escaped detection.
  8 Apr 1942210838° 20'N, 3° 22'EAt 2108 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted at 6,000 metres. It was apparently proceeding to Algeria and was not disturbed.
  9 Apr 1942033038° 05'N, 3° 14'EAt 0330 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted at 8,000 metres, apparently proceeding northward. She was apparently neutral and was not disturbed.
  11 Apr 1942052737° 06'N, 2° 30'EAt 0527 hours, an illuminated ship was seen proceeding on a 082° course. It was believed to be the Swedish hospital ship Sicilia (1,633 GRT, built 1933) and she had been announced.

Zappetta, Elio8 May 19420825Cagliari8 May 19421155CagliariExercises.

Zappetta, Elio14 May 19420710Cagliari14 May 19420915CagliariExercises.

14Zappetta, Elio17 May 19421805Cagliari9 Jun 1942Date?Sunk with all handsPatrolled north of Algiers or off Balearic Islands, between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 02°40'E and 03°20'E. But the same evening, a signal from MARICOSOM made a partial modification to the order by placing her in in Grids 7337 and 7381 [ca. 37°30'N, 03°00'E]. A signal of 1630 hours on 18th mentioned two aircraft carriers, a cruiser and a number of destroyers on course 050°, 20 knots in Grid 9731/4. Another signal at 1745 hours on the 18th, informed her that an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and five destroyers were reported on course 090°, 16 knots in Grid 8175/5 (37°45'N, 03°05'E). At 0950/19, the force was successively reported in (1) 36°50'N, 00°10'E (2) 36°50'N, 00°30'E (3)36°50'N, 00°50'E (Grids 2748, 2772, 2793) on course 270°. At 2339 hours on 28th May, she was ordered to move 50 miles East and 10 miles North [ca. 37°40'N, 04°00'E]. At 1625 hours on the 29th, she signalled she had located the enemy [she may have sighted the light cruiser HMS Charybdis and the destroyers HMS Westcott and HMS Wrestler who were searching for the submarine Argo, but it is not sure if they went that far east]. At 2330 hours on the 29th, she sent another signal which was indecipherable. Then was heard no more. At 1402 hours on the 30th, MARICOSOM ordered her to Grids 1163 and 1189.

At 1857 hours on 7th June, she was ordered to report her position but did not answer.

At 0208 hours on 8th June, MARICOSOM advised her that she might meet the next morning Velella and Zaffiro. Lost, cause unknown (six officers and fifty-two ratings killed).
  29 May 1942
0733B (e)

(e) 37° 09'N, 0° 47'E
At 0733B hours, a British aircraft in transit sighted a submarine without reporting her course or speed. Could this have been Veniero? This was not considered to be the submarine hunted by Charybdis the previous day.
  9 Jun 1942
1645 (e)
37° 46'N, 0° 36'EAt 1645 hours, a Sunderland sighted a U-boat. It dived before an attack could be carried out. Could this have been Veniero?

87 entries. 52 total patrol entries (14 marked as war patrols) and 47 events.

All Italian submarines