Italian submarines in World War Two


Benedetto Brin (BR, I.23)
Brin


Benedetto Brin (USMM)

TypeOcean going 
ClassBrin 1 (14) 
Laid down 3 Dec 1936 Cantieri Navale Tosi di Taranto, Taranto
Launched3 Apr 1938
Commissioned30 Jun 1938
End service
Stricken1 Feb 1948
Loss date
Loss position
History In June 1943, was proposed to be used as a transport submarine, code name "AQUILA X". Stricken on 1st February 1948.
Fate

Commands


CommanderDate fromDate toCommand notes
C.C. Fausto Sestini5 Jun 194018 Jun 1940
T.V. Luigi Longanesi Cattani18 Jun 19406 Sep 1941
T.V. Luigi Andreotti1 Nov 194130 Nov 1941
T.V. Leo Sposito1 Dec 19413 Dec 1941
T.V. Luigi Andreotti4 Dec 194113 Dec 1941
T.V. Leo Sposito14 Dec 194131 Dec 1941
T.V. Luigi Andreotti8 Jan 194223 Nov 1943
T.V. Carlo Imperiali23 Nov 1943Aug 1945

Ships hit


DateCommanderShip hitTypeGRTNat.Loss type
1.13 Jun 1941C.C. Luigi Longanesi CattaniDjurdjuraCargo ship3,460Free FrenchSunk
2.13 Jun 1941C.C. Luigi Longanesi CattaniEirini KyriakidesCargo ship3,781GreekSunk

Patrols and events

 CommanderDateTimePortArr. dateArr. timeArr. portMilesDescription
1Sestini, Fausto9 Jun 19401422Augusta15 Jun 19400733Augusta915Patrollled between Pantelleria and Tunisian coast near 36°50'N, 11°30'E.
  13 Jun 1940140436° 50'N, 11° 30'E
(0) Approximately.
At 1404, two Italian torpedo-boats of the ALTAIR class were sighted at 4,000 metres, steering 180°, 24 knots. They were Antares and Aldebaran who had been ordered to destroy a derelict Greek freighter. The vessel was Makis (3,546 GRT, built 1906), mined near Pantelleria. The submarine saw them passing at a distance. The two torpedo boats dropped depth charges, but this is not recorded in the submarine report.

2Longanesi Cattani, Luigi18 Jun 19401452Augusta28 Jun 19401720Augusta1480Patrolled off north coast of Crete. Apparently sighted only Greek ships and an unidentified destroyer.
  18 Jun 19401708
(0) 090° - San Croce Light (Augusta) - 15 miles.
At 1708 hours, a torpedo wake was sighted. It appeared to be fired by a submarine from a distance of about 2,500 metres. This may have been HMS Grampus,, in which case she would have survived the attack of 16th June 1940. It could also be a porpoise, frequently mistaken for torpedoes by nervous lookouts. An occurrence which was not rare in the war.
  24 Jun 19400115
(0) 20 miles east of Cerigotto.
At 0115 hours, a destroyer was sighted at 3,000 metres. Believing it had also been seen, Benedetto Brin was taken deep to 70 metres but no attack occurred.

3Longanesi Cattani, Luigi9 Jul 19400030Augusta12 Jul 19401004Augusta396Patrolled in 36°50'N, 17°20'E.
  9 Jul 19401054
1115Z (e)
At 1054 hours, an aircraft, believed to be a Hawker Osprey 4, was sighted at 6,000 metres, It strafed the submarine and Benedetto Brin replied with her machine guns. The conning tower was hit by a few machine gun rounds, but they caused no serious damage. The aircraft was also believed to have been hit and did not return to the attack.
This was a Swordfish from the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle.
  9 Jul 19401254
1245 (e)
At 1254 hours, a Sunderland aircraft was sighted at a distance of 4.000 metres. Benedetto Brin dived immediately to 60 metres and the bombs fell astern.

The attack was carried out by Sunderland 'T' of 230 Squadron, piloted by Flying Lieutenant P.R. Woodward.It was carrying out a reconnaissance duriing the battle of Punto Stylo. It claimed a direct hit abaft the conning tower, but Benedetto Brin was unscathed.

4Longanesi Cattani, Luigi15 Jul 19401312Augusta17 Jul 19401055Augusta322Patrolled west of Malta. Uneventful.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi22 Jul 19401514Augusta22 Jul 19401723Augusta7Exercises.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi25 Jul 19400800Augusta25 Jul 19401044Augusta8Exercises.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi1 Aug 19401515Augusta1 Aug 19401640Augusta6,5Exercises.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi10 Aug 19400827Augusta10 Aug 19401006Augusta7Exercises.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi24 Aug 19400723Augusta25 Aug 19400840Taranto306Passage Augusta-Taranto .

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi5 Oct 19400845Taranto5 Oct 19401806Taranto50Trials.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi9 Oct 19401020Taranto9 Oct 19401718Taranto52Trials.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi18 Oct 19400846Taranto18 Oct 19401627Taranto38Trials.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi21 Oct 19400845Taranto21 Oct 19401602Taranto4Trials.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi25 Oct 19401005Taranto26 Oct 19401625Messina204Passage Taranto-Messina.

5Longanesi Cattani, Luigi28 Oct 19402225Messina4 Nov 19401910Tangiers1346On passage to Bordeaux, was attacked by two British destroyers at 1530 hours on 4th November, 2 miles from Cape Malabata, and damaged. Escaped to Tangiers. Passed Gibraltar on 3rd November 1940 [mileage from Taranto].
  3 Nov 19402155
(0) Straits of Gibraltar.
At 2155 hours, a vessel initially believed to be a tug was sighted. It was later identified as a patrol vessel. The submarine submerged and took evading action.
  3 Nov 19402305-0005/24
(0) Straits of Gibraltar.
At 2305 hours, a vessel was sighted at a distance of 4,000 metres. It was later identified as American and was left undisturbed.
  4 Nov 19401530
(0) 2 miles NE of Cape Malabata.
At 1530 hours, after hitting the bottom twice, Benedetto Brin had come to periscope depth when the two destroyers were sighted. She tried to rest on the bottom again, but her battery had drained and she was forced to surface. The submarine was ready to fight it out but, realising she was near Cape Malabata, she raced toward Tangiers while one of the destroyers unsuccessfully attempted to ram her.

5bLonganesi Cattani, Luigi13 Dec 19400350Tangiers18 Dec 19401308Le Verdon927,5Sailed from Tangiers with submarine Bianchi for Bordeaux.
  18 Dec 19400555+45° 28'N, 2° 27'W
(0) 240. La Coubre Light - 35 miles.
At 0550 hours, a submarine was encountered. It appeared to make a signal with a white light, which only partially corresponded with the recognition signal of the day. Benedetto Brin answered the signal.

Five minutes later, the other submarine - this was HMS Tuna (Lt. Cdr. Cavenagh-Mainwaring, DSO, RN) - fired a shell across the bow of Benedetto Brin. T.V. Luigi Longanesi Cattani was still not sure of her identity. Aware of the presence in the area of the submarine Michele Bianchi, he was hesitant to act, fearing it might be a case of mistaken identity. He signaled "Sono un sommergibile Italiano" ("I am an Italian submarine") and Benedetto Brin turned to bring both of her guns to bear on the submarine.

As she made another recognition signal, it was correctly answered by another vessel at a longer distance straight ahead. At this moment, Longanesi Cattani understood that the distant vessel was Michele Bianchi and the submarine firing at her was indeed enemy. A second round fell at about 50 metres on the port side of Brin's conning tower. The Italian submarine had to turn to avoid a possible torpedo attack, but this maneuver prevented the use of her machine guns. The alteration of course must have been made just in time, as four underwater explosions were heard. These were correctly believed to be torpedoes exploding at the end of their run. At 0630 hours, two torpedo tracks were observed missing the stern as the Italian submarine took avoiding action.

HMS Tuna had fired a salvo of six torpedoes from 1,500 yards. Luckily for the Italian submarine, they all missed. The British submarine fired eight 4" rounds and claimed one hit, but in fact none of them found their mark. The action was observed from a distance by Michele Bianchi, but she could not intervene.

At 0640 hours, the British submarine was observed coming out from a fog bank at just 500 metres. Benedetto Brin altered course to starboard and at 0641 hours fired two stern torpedoes (533mm) and very quickly five rounds of 100mm, one of which was believed to have hit the enemy's bow (HMS Tuna was not hit). The enemy submarine then disappeared. Shortly after the action, two vessels were seen but they proved to be fishing boats.


Longanesi Cattani, Luigi19 Dec 19400350Le Verdon19 Dec 19401308Pauillac10Passage Le Verdon-Pauillac.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi20 Dec 19400925Pauillac20 Dec 19401515Pauillac20Passage Pauillac-Bordeaux but then turned back.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi22 Dec 19401104Pauillac22 Dec 19401404Bordeaux40Passage Pauillac-Bordeaux.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi21 Feb 19411525Bordeaux21 Feb 19411945Le Verdon40Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi23 Feb 19411220Le Verdon24 Feb 19410045La Pallice50Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice with submarine Argo, escorted by the German minesweepers M-2, M-6 and M-21 and Sperrbrecher 16.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi25 Feb 19410845La Pallice25 Feb 19411600La Pallice?Exercises at Le Pertuis d'Antioche. On her return, Brin met with Finzi which was arriving from Le Verdon and they reached La Pallice together.

6Longanesi Cattani, Luigi26 Feb 19411713La Pallice25 Mar 19411615Bordeaux4570Sailed for patrol west of Ireland via 46°15'N, 09°00'W and 51°50'N, 18°00'W.
  5 Mar 19411203
1101 (e)
At 1203 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 16 miles. Benedetto Brin dived slowly because of the heavy seas and had reached a depth of 25 metres when three bombs exploded at proximity. At 1215 hours, a fourth bomb exploded but far astern.

The submarine moved at high speed underwater toward the sun for seven miles then surfaced at 1343 hours. An aircraft was seen in the distance but the submarine managed to move away without being seen.

In fact, two aircraft had been involved in the attack. The first was Sunderland 'B' of 10 Squadron (RAAF), piloted by Flying Officer V.A. Hodgkinson. It had spotted the submarine at 12 miles and closed quickly. When still at 6 miles, the submarine was observed to submerge. Four 450-lb depth charges were dropped from a height of 100 feet, two set at a depth of 100 feet and two at a depth of 150 feet. A patch of oil was observed. Shortly after, Whitley bomber 'K' of 502 Squadron appeared on the scene and dropped a single depth charge from a height of 150 feet, it was set at 100 feet. This was most probably the one that had been heard by Brin at 1215 hours.

The depth charges dropped by the Sunderland had indeed caused a small leak to one of the fuel tanks of the submarine. It was decided to switch the supply to this tank before all its fuel was lost.
  9 Mar 19411842At 1842 hours, the submarine Velella was sighted and exchanged recognition signals.
  19 Mar 19411110At 1110 hours, Benedetto Brin was informed by BETASOM of the position of a convoy of 25 merchant ships with gunboats. The submarine altered course at 12 knots intending to intercept it at 1700 hours on the 20th.

At 1810 hours on the 19th, another signal was received reporting a new position of the convoy and Brin altered course and speed reduced to 7 knots because of weather damage. The submarine arrived the next day at 1440 hours in the intercept position and cruised until 2200 hours, but sighted nothing.
  21 Mar 19411731At 1504 hours, a signal from BETASOM was received reporting a convoy and Benedetto Brin was proceeding toward it, intending to intercept at 2000 hours.

At 1731 hours, a submarine chaser was sighted and Brin dived.

At 1805 hours, depth-charges were heard at a distance and again at 2016 hours.

At 0010 hours on 22 March, the submarine received a signal reporting a new position for this convoy, but she was short of fuel and started her return voyage.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi24 May 19410700Bordeaux25 May 19412030BordeauxSailed for trials off Le Verdon then returned to Bordeaux.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi27 May 19410820Bordeaux27 May 1941Le VerdonPassage Bordeaux-Le Verdon (dropped anchor awaiting escort).

7Longanesi Cattani, Luigi27 May 19412030Le Verdon20 Jun 19411640Bordeaux5764Patrolled off Azores between 34°45'N and as far south as fuel permitted and between 11°15'W and 11°45'W [mileage from 24th May].
  1 Jun 1941115035° 57'N, 11° 00'WAt 1150 hours, a steamer was sighted at 22,000 metres. It was determined to be steering 085° at 12 knots.

At 1525 hours, Benedetto Brin dived with the intention of carrying a stern attack.

At 1610 hours, from a distance of 3,000 metres she was recongnised to be Spanish.

At 1621 hours, she passed 500 metres astern the submarine and her name could be read. She was the Spanish Motomar (5,675 GRT, built 1921).
  3 Jun 1941094523° 51'N, 8° 42'WAt 0945 hours, several fishing vessels and, shortly after, a steamer appeared. Benedetto Brin closed to investigate.

At 1404 hours, the submarine submerged on an attacking course.

At 1510 hours, the vessel passed 400 metres astern and was recognised as the Spanish Marte (3,714 GRT, built 1900). The attack was aborted.
  5 Jun 19410730
(e) 36° 44'N, 8° 38'W
(0) 140° - Cape St. Vincent - 6 miles.
At 0410 hours, two vessels were sighted and Benedetto Brin closed to 500 metres only to recognise them as submarine chasers. The submarine turned away to avoid them and moved 10 miles northward.

At 0734 hours, a submarine chaser was sighted and at 0813 hours, five depth charges were heard exploding at a distance. It appeared to be hunting a submarine. Benedetto Brin reached the bottom at 89 metres.

At 1425 hours, propeller noises were heard this was followed by a single depth charge which exploded near the submarine.

At 1428 hours, the vessel returned and dropped another six depth charges which detonated very close to the submarine. This was most probably the armed trawler HMS Loch Oskaig who attacked a submarine in this area on that day.

At 2330 hours, Benedetto Brin surfaced with all weapons at the ready and the destruction of secret documents prepared. The submarine chaser was sighted at 1,500 metres but did not notice the submarine who made good her escape.

  7 Jun 1941074833° 54'N, 14° 36'WAt 0748 hours, a small convoy was sighted steering 250°, 8 knots. Benedetto Brin attempted to trail it but lost contact in a rain squall at 1100 hours.
  7 Jun 1941115433° 10'N, 15° 30'WAt 1154 hours, the submarine Mocenigo was encountered and exchanged recognition signals.
  9 Jun 19411320
1420 (e)
34° 16'N, 14° 28'WAt 1320 hours, an aircraft was seen at 6,000 metres, making directly for Benedetto Brin. C.C. Longanesi Cattani decided to fight it out on the surface and the submarine's Breda guns opened fire. The aircraft veered away, but circled the submarine outside the range of the machine guns. Longanesi Cattani hesitated to dive, fearing the aircraft would attack it at a vulnerable time.

This was Catalina 'J' (AH553) of 202 Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant E.M. Pain. It had spotted the U-boat steering 20° at 14 knots and reported it. It was taking photos and waiting for an opportunity to pounce.

At 1425 hours, Longanesi Cattani observed the aircraft making an attack run and four depth charges dropped. One exploded near the submarine but caused no damage. The aircraft appeared to have been hit by the antiaircraft fire. Flight Lieutenant Pain reported only three actually dropped, the fourth hung up but was dropped on a second run. It failed to explode.

At 1610 hours, a new attack was repelled by machine guns and judging the aircraft to be at the limit of its autonomy, Benedetto Brin finally dived and escaped.


  12 Jun 1941125537° 25'N, 23° 15'WThe submarine had been ordered by BETASOM to a new position on 10th June.

At 1255 hours on 12th June, the enemy convoy was sighted. The submarine tried to remain in contact by alternately submerging and running on the surface but finally lost contact at 2345 hours.
  13 Jun 1941051538° 40'N, 24° 00'WAt 0440 hours, in in 38°34' N, 23°56' W, Benedetto Brin sighted the convoy in three columns. Earlier, she had received a signal from BETASOM ordering her with Veniero and Velella to proceed to 40°20' N, 25°00' W. This was convoy SL. 76 bound from Freetown to Liverpool. The submarine maneuvered for an attack with the intention to fire stern torpedoes at two steamers in the central column and bow torpedoes at steamers on the port column. C.C. Longanesi Cattani miscalculated and was forced to change his plans.

At 0515 hours, two torpedoes were fired from the bow tubes at a steamer in the port column, but there was a premature explosion leading Longanesi Cattani to believe that the two torpedoes had collided (!). Very shortly after, two more torpedoes were launched from the bow tubes, aimed at another steamer on the port column. One torpedo misfired but the other appeared to hit the target after 23 seconds but the 4,000-ton vessel did not appear to sink and fired off rockets to give the alarm.

The target was the British steamer Ulla (1,575 GRT, built 1930). She had not been hit but had observed the torpedo missing under her keel. She was the fifth vessel in the seventh column between Djurdjura (fifth vessel in fifth column) and Eirini Kyriakides (fifth vessel in ninth column), which were both sunk shortly after. Sheridan, who was the fifth vessel in the eighth column, sighted the submarine at 0340 hours but her gun misfired.
  13 Jun 19410536-0538
0335 (e)
38° 40'N, 24° 00'WFrom 0536 to 0538 hours, Benedetto Brin launched four stern torpedoes aimed at three merchant ships in convoy SL. 76. Longanesi Cattani claimed that all four hits and the three merchant ships immediately sank. In fact two had been hit, the Free French Djurdjura (3460 GRT, built 1922), carrying iron ore from Pepel to Oban, and the Greek Eirini Kyriakides (3781 GRT, 1922) carrying iron ore from Lourençô Marques to Adrossan. Both sank.

Djurdjura had a crew of thirty-eight, only five were saved. Eirini Kyriakides had a crew of thirty-one, none survived. The submarine then dived for eight hours to reload tubes and lost contact with the convoy.

At that time, it was the only instance of an Italian submarine penetrating a convoy for a successful attack.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi8 Aug 19410830Bordeaux8 Aug 19411600Le VerdonPassage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi9 Aug 19410800Le Verdon9 Aug 19411650La PallicePassage Le Verdon-La Pallice.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi12 Aug 19410800La Pallice12 Aug 19411130La PalliceTrials at Le Pertuis d'Antioche.

Longanesi Cattani, Luigi12 Aug 19412004La Pallice16 Aug 19411830BordeauxSailed for Messina but turned back because of defects.
  14 Aug 19411040At 1040 hours, an aircraft of the Consolidated PBY 28 type was observed at 4,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  15 Aug 19410830
0754 (e)

(e) 45° 02'N, 9° 02'W
(0) Italian Grid 2530/12.
At 0830 hours, a submarine was sighted at 5,000 metres. It appeared similar to Velella and both submarines prudently dived. This was possibly HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rimington, DSO, RN) who sighted an unknown vessel and dived.
  16 Aug 19410705
(0) In the Searched Channel.
At 0705 hours, the submarine Cappellini was encountered and exchanged recognition signals [the encounter is not mentioned in the Cappellini patrol report].

8Longanesi Cattani, Luigi20 Aug 19410900Bordeaux20 Aug 1941Time?Le Verdon.Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

8bLonganesi Cattani, Luigi20 Aug 19412100Le Verdon1 Sep 19411840MessinaPassage Le Verdon-Messina. Passed Gibraltar on 28th August 1941.
  24 Aug 19411300At 1300 hours, a submarine chaser and aircraft were observed on the horizon. Benedetto Brin dived.
  24 Aug 19411930
(0) West of Gibraltar.
At 1930 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived. Two explosions were heard at 2040 and 2041 hours.

8cLonganesi Cattani, Luigi3 Sep 19411245Messina4 Sep 19410945Taranto3922Passage Messina-Taranto [mileage from Bordeaux].

Andreotti, Luigi1 Nov 1941Taranto30 Nov 1941TarantoRefit in Taranto.

Sposito, Leo1 Dec 1941Taranto3 Dec 1941TarantoRefit in Taranto.

Andreotti, Luigi13 Dec 19410830Taranto13 Dec 19411530Taranto21Trials with the submarine Bronzo, escorted by the auxiliary Dalmazia.

Sposito, Leo17 Dec 19410846Taranto17 Dec 19411452Taranto25Trials.

Sposito, Leo24 Dec 19410835Taranto24 Dec 19411340Taranto20Trials.

Sposito, Leo31 Dec 19410914Taranto31 Dec 19411230Taranto30Trials.

Andreotti, Luigi7 Jan 19420925Taranto7 Jan 19420950TarantoExercises.

Andreotti, Luigi11 Jan 19421300Taranto11 Jan 19421740Taranto29Exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Abbazia.

Andreotti, Luigi13 Jan 19421300Taranto13 Jan 19421742Taranto26,5Exercises, escorted by the pilot vessel Limbara.

Andreotti, Luigi15 Jan 19420840Taranto15 Jan 19421455Taranto30,5Exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Dalmazia.

Andreotti, Luigi20 Jan 19421030Taranto23 Jan 19421428Cagliari780Passage Taranto-Cagliari. During a crash-dive, a rating was injured by the conning tower hatch falling on him.

9Andreotti, Luigi28 Jan 19421413Cagliari28 Jan 19421849Cagliari55Sailed for patrol between 37°50'N and 38°10'N, and between 05°30'E and 05°40'E with Alagi, Aradam, Turchese and Axum, but then recalled.

Andreotti, Luigi5 Feb 19420850Cagliari5 Feb 19421720CagliariExercises, escorted by the minesweeper R.D.34.

10Andreotti, Luigi8 Feb 19422025Cagliari17 Feb 19421213Cagliari1256,2Sailed with Alagi for patrol north of Cape de Fer, between African coast and 37°30'N, and between 06°20'E and 06°30'E.
  9 Feb 1942220037° 20'N, 6° 25'E
(0) Approximate position.
At 2200 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted on a westerly course. She proved to be the French St. Étienne (1,971 GRT, built 1924).
  10 Feb 1942044037° 20'N, 6° 25'E
(0) Approximate position.
At 0440 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted on a westerly course. She proved to be the French Sainte Marthe (4,702 GRT, built 1903).
  10 Feb 1942153537° 20'N, 6° 25'E
(0) Approximate position.
At 1535 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted at 10,000 metres. It was believed to be an Italian submarine from VII.Grupsom.

At 1615 hours, the submarine was sighted again at 12,000 metres and was closed to 6,000 meters. It was identified as of the Alagi class.
  10 Feb 1942184037° 20'N, 6° 25'E
(0) Approximate position.
At 1840 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 12,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  10 Feb 1942200937° 20'N, 6° 25'E
(0) Approximate position.
At 2009 hours, Benedetto Brin was informed of an enemy cruiser and a destroyer, sighted at 1205 hours on the previous day in Italian Grid 6291, steering 090°, 20 knots. The submarine proceeded to an intercept position, but sighted nothing. Two vessels were seen at 0015 hours on the 11th, hugging the coast and were presumed French.
  16 Feb 1942070037° 20'N, 6° 25'E
(0) Approximate position.
At 0700 hours, an illuminated French ship was observed. It was believed to be Château Larose (2,047 GRT, built 1930), as listed in the French calendar no. 29 and no action was taken.

11Andreotti, Luigi27 Feb 19421233Cagliari10 Mar 19421131Cagliari1667Sailed with submarines Axum, Aradam and Turchese and patrolled south of Majorca and off Cape Falcon. Several neutral ships were observed.
  6 Mar 1942181536° 58'N, 0° 50'WAt 1815 hours, an enemy naval force was detected with hydrophones. It was steering 090°, which passed to the north of the submarine.
  8 Mar 1942001536° 42'N, 0° 34'WAt 0015 hours, an enemy naval force of five ships, probably destroyers, was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres, steering 090°. The ships were too far to attack but, at 0032 hours, the second and fourth destroyers turned toward the submarine.

Benedetto Brin dived immediately but was not attacked.

12Andreotti, Luigi27 Mar 19422150Cagliari16 Apr 19422005Cagliari2579,1Patrolled south of Majorca and off Cape Ferrat. Sighted French ships.
  28 Mar 19421930At 1930 hours, Benedetto Brin was informed by MARICOSOM (1718/28) of a naval force steering 090°, 16 knots. The force consisting of a battleship, two aircraft carriers and ten light units had been observed earlier in Italian Grid 2651/2 (37°23' N, 01°55' E). The submarine altered course to 180° to intercept it.
  29 Mar 1942084437° 48'N, 3° 06'EAt 0844 hours, five silhouettes were seen at 15,000 metres. Two of them were large, with an aircraft probably escorting them, which was sighted at 8,000 meters. The submarine dived immediately to periscope depth without seeing anything, but maintained hydrophone contact until 0950 hours. She then surfaced and made an enemy report.
  30 Mar 19420645At 0555 hours, a French ship was sighted and closed at 600 metres. It was identified as Oued Tiflet (1,190 GRT, built 1914). At 1420 hours, the submarine was ordered by MARICOSOM to move 40 miles to the south (to ca. 37°10' N).
  31 Mar 1942025536° 58'N, 3° 25'EAt 0135 hours, propeller sounds were heard on the hydrophones.

At 0255 hours, the vessel was sighted and initially believed to be a medium-sized warship, but apparently it was a steamer. At 0300 hours, a second vessel appeared at a distance of 8-10,000 meters before disappearing westward.
  31 Mar 19420705
0558 (e)
37° 05'N, 3° 18'EAt 0705 hours, Benedetto Brin was proceeding on the surface when an aircraft was sighted at 4,000 metres. It attacked. The submarine dived and when she reached a depth of 15 meters, a bomb exploded near her causing no damage.

This was Catalina 'C' (AJ162) of 202 Squadron, piloted by light Lieutenant Melville-Jackson. Five seconds after the submarine had disappeared, it dropped four 250 lb MK VIII A/S bombs set to explode at a depth of 25 feet from an altitude of 200 feet.
  2 Apr 19420518At 0518 hours, two vessels were sighted. Both proved to be French, the dredger Provence towed by the tug Gysbert.
  9 Apr 19421110At 1110 hours, Benedetto Brin was informed of a 5,000-ton light cruiser steering 270°, 22 knots sighted at 0800 hours in Italian Grid 3477/6 (8 miles east of Cani Island). The information was amplified by a second signal at 1415 hours and the submarine proceeded at a speed of 10-12 knots to intercept.
  10 Apr 1942044836° 45'N, 0° 36'WAt 0448 hours, propeller noises were heard and believed to be an enemy cruiser steering 260°. It passed out of range,
  10 Apr 1942172936° 06'N, 0° 44'WAt 1729 hours, hydrophone noises were heard and were believed to be two enemy cruisers (earlier reported by MARICOSOM) steering 050°. They passed out of range.
  15 Apr 19421245At 1045 hours, a vessel was sighted steering 340°. The submarine closed to 800 metres, identifying her as the French steamer Sainte Lucille (1,465 GRT, built 1917).

Andreotti, Luigi4 May 19420810Cagliari4 May 19421155CagliariExercises.

13Andreotti, Luigi17 May 19421455Cagliari9 Jun 19420930Cagliari2027,8Sailed via 37°40' N, 02°20' E for patrol between 36°50'N and 37°10'N, and between 01°20'E and 02°00'E. She was warned that one Italian submarine was 50 miles north of her and another 063° - 70 miles from her. At 2023 hours on the 17th, a signal from MARICOSOM made a modification to the order, by placing her in Grids 8765 and 8726 (between 38°20'N and 38°40' N, and between 02°20'E and 02°50'E). She was then ordered to leave this area at 2200 hours on the 20th and return to her original position. On 28th May, was ordered to move 50 miles east and 10 miles north (ca. 37°10' N, 02°42' E). At 1402 hours on the 30th, she was ordered to Grids 3342 and 3340 (probably ca. 37°00'N, 01°00'E).
  18 May 19421220At 1220 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 12,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  18 May 19421625At 1625 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 15,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  18 May 19421900At 1900 hours, an aircraft, probably of Botha type, was seen at 15,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  3 Jun 1942122036° 58'N, 1° 10'EAt 1220 hours, a cruiser was sighted (pages missing from the report).
  7 Jun 19420402
0405 (e)
37° 23'N, 2° 58'EAt 0402 hours, Benedetto Brin sighted an aircraft of the Stirling type, which proceeded to attack. The submarine was slightly damaged and claimed the aircraft damaged (details unknown, pages missing from the patrol report).

This was Sunderland 'R' (W3983) of 10 Squadron (RAAF) piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.W. Marks. It had detected the submarine by radar at 3 miles. It dived from 1500 feet to a height of 100 feet, releasing a stick of eight depth charges, as the submarine put up a light antiaircraft defence. The submarine was strafed and the center of the DC stick fell about 30 yards on the submarine's port beam. Immediately after the attack, heavy vibration in the Sunderland as well as a back firing port engine caused the pilot to break off the engagement and return to base.
  7 Jun 19421207
1144 (e)
37° 40'N, 4° 03'EAt 1207 hours, Benedetto Brin was again under air attack. Exact details from the submarine are not known as pages are missing from her patrol report. The aircraft was claimed to have been hit by the submarine machine guns. The submarine was slightly damaged.

The aircraft was Sunderland 'M' of 202 Squadron, piloted by Flying Officer R.M. Corrie. It had sighted the submarine steering 80° at 14 knots, and made an attack from the stern. The depth charges failed to release on the first run, but the submarine was heavily strafed. The four depth charges were dropped on the second run but the aircraft was hit by the antiaircraft guns and one crew member was wounded. As the submarine submerged, four more depth charges were dropped about 13 seconds after it had disappeared. Despite having damaged aerials and wings, the Sunderland managed to reach its base.

Andreotti, Luigi28 Jun 19421015Cagliari29 Jun 19421010Naples294Passage Cagliari-Naples. Uneventful.

Andreotti, Luigi19 Jul 19421400Naples19 Jul 19421742NaplesExercises.

Andreotti, Luigi24 Jul 19421005Naples25 Jul 19420840Cagliari295Passage Naples-Cagliari.

14Andreotti, Luigi1 Aug 19421600Cagliari18 Aug 19422120Cagliari1903,2Patrolled to the northwest of Cape Caxine, against expected convoys from Gibraltar. On 5th August, she was informed of a sortie of the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, the light cruiser HMS Charybdis and four destroyers. On 11th August she was informed of a strongly escorted convoy (PEDESTAL). The same afternoon, her hydrophones detected noises and in the late evening, a destroyer was sighted. Brin was then told of a damaged aircraft carrier (Eagle) but no further visual contact was made. Her diesels emitted a lot of smoke and maximum speed was reduced from 12 to 11 knots.
  5 Aug 19422216At 2216 hours, Benedetto Brin was informed that a naval squadron, including the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, had sailed eastward. No sighting or H.E. contact was made.
  11 Aug 19420525At 0525 hours, Benedetto Brin was informed of a heavily escorted convoy [this was the PEDESTAL convoy], sighted off Cape Ferrat, steering 090°. For the next hours the submarine altered between surface observation and listening with her hydrophones.
  11 Aug 1942220037° 10'N, 2° 30'EAt 2200 hours, a destroyer was sighted at 2,000 metres, steering 270° toward Benedetto Brin. The submarine dived immediately but was not attacked.
  12 Aug 19420920
(0) Italian Grid 2660.
At 0920 hours, Benedetto Brin was at a depth of 45 metres, on a listening watch and heard several explosions until 1900 hours. The submarine returned to periscope depth at 1955 hours, but the horizon was empty.
  13 Aug 19420030At 0030 hours, Benedetto Brin was informed of a damaged aircraft carrier steering 210°, 10 knots. The submarine altered course to 270° to intercept but sighted nothing.

Andreotti, Luigi3 Sep 19420815Cagliari3 Sep 19421240Cagliari27,5Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi8 Sep 19420811Cagliari8 Sep 19421156Cagliari29,5Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi29 Sep 19421400Cagliari29 Sep 19421756Cagliari25,3Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi17 Oct 19420800Cagliari17 Oct 19421214Cagliari25,7Exercises.

15Andreotti, Luigi17 Oct 19421810Cagliari31 Oct 19421343Cagliari1773,5Patrolled north of Cape Como (Island of Ibiza) ca. 38°40'N, 01°00'E.
  18 Oct 19421100At 1100 hours, an aircraft was seen at 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  25 Oct 1942140337° 30'N, 1° 55'EAt 1403 hours, two aircraft were seen and the submarine dived.
  26 Oct 1942060538° 47'N, 1° 05'EAt 0605 hours, a submarine of the CORALLO class was sighted at 10,000 metres. Benedetto Brin turned away and, at 0620 hours, lost sight of the submarine.
  27 Oct 1942124539° 10'N, 1° 19'EAt 1235 hours, noises were heard on the hydrophones and ten minutes later, a fishing vessel was sighted steering 140°.
  30 Oct 1942074038° 48'N, 3° 08'EAt 0740 hours, a submarine, which could not be identified but was believed to be the Italian Emo, was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres on a parallel course. At 1200 hours, it had disappeared from sight.
  30 Oct 1942140238° 48'N, 4° 13'EAt 1402 hours, a steamer was sighted steering 330°.

At 1423 hours, Benedetto Brin was trying to close, but was briefly forced to submerge by an aircraft sighted at 8,000 metres.

At 1510 hours, the submarine had closed enough the vessel to identify her as the French steamer Hebe (1,684 GRT, built 1920) now steering 340°. She had been announced on the French calendar of merchant traffic no. 27.
  30 Oct 1942142338° 48'N, 4° 13'EAt 1423 hours, an aircraft was seen at 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.

16Andreotti, Luigi7 Nov 19420340Cagliari17 Nov 19420802Cagliari1485Patrolled off Bougie. On 15th November, she attacked a small vessel without success.
  8 Nov 1942221237° 35'N, 6° 29'EAt 2212 hours, a submarine was sighted, steering 200°. This was probably Velella. Benedetto Brin turned away.
  11 Nov 1942192038° 10'N, 6° 30'EAt 1920 hours, an aircraft was seen at 500 metres without any action being taken.
  12 Nov 1942200838° 10'N, 6° 30'EAt 2008 hours, a submarine was sighted on parallel course. Benedetto Brin turned away.
  13 Nov 19420455At 0455 hours, a corvette was sighted steering 180°. Benedetto Brin turned away.
  13 Nov 1942052036° 45'N, 5° 08'EAt 0520 hours, two corvette were sighted steering 180°. Benedetto Brin turned away.
  13 Nov 19421325
(0) Off Bougie.
At 1325 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  14 Nov 19421411
(0) Off Bougie.
At 1411 hours, two aircraft were sighted at 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  14 Nov 19421452
(0) Off Bougie.
At 1452 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  14 Nov 19421850
(0) Off Bougie.
At 1850 hours, a submarine was sighted steering 250°. Benedetto Brin countinued on her way to Bougie.
  15 Nov 1942015836° 49'N, 5° 34'EAt 0137 hours, a shadow was sighted at 4,500 metres, silhouetted against the coast. Benedetto Brin closed at 10 knots so that her wake would not be visible.

At 0151 hours, the range had closed to 800-1,000 metres and the vessel was at first identified as a medium sized motor vessel. Three torpedoes (533mm, S.I.C. type) were fired at 2-second intervals, set at a depth of 5 metres, from a distance of 500 metres. They all missed. The rapid acceleration of the vessel led T.V. Andreotti believe the target was actually a small patrol vessels and he prudently withdrew.

There is an outside possibility that the target was the cased petrol vessel Coxwold (1,124 GRT, built 1938) who sailed unescorted on that day from Bougie for Bone, or Pozarica (1,893 GRT, built 1938) who arrived with escorts at Bougie. However the description of the target seems to indicate a smaller vessel.

Andreotti, Luigi18 Nov 19421616Cagliari19 Nov 19421858Naples296Passage Cagliari-Naples then refit.

Andreotti, Luigi16 Feb 19431000Naples16 Feb 19431445Naples28Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi20 Feb 19430920Naples20 Feb 19431159Naples25Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi22 Feb 19431135Naples22 Feb 19432140Naples41Exercises with the torpedo boat Cigno.

Andreotti, Luigi25 Feb 19431338Naples25 Feb 19431730Naples1,5Gyrocompass tests.

Andreotti, Luigi26 Feb 19431202Naples26 Feb 19431630Naples21Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi28 Feb 19430715Naples1 Mar 19430935Cagliari279Passage Naples-Cagliari.

Andreotti, Luigi1 Mar 19431814Cagliari2 Mar 19430800Cagliari12Exercises.

17Andreotti, Luigi2 Mar 19431606Cagliari21 Mar 19430805La Maddalena2208,5Patrolled off Cape Carbon, intially between 37°00'N and 37°40'N, and between 05°00'E and 05°40'E and then between 38°20 'N and the African coast, and between 04°40'E and 05°20'E. She reported being the target of several depth charge attacks, but none are confirmed in Allied documents.
  7 Mar 19430855-192137° 00'N, 5° 00'E
(0) Approximately.
Between 0855 and 1921 hours, Benedetto Brin appeared to have been the subject of a long hunt by A/S vessels and aircraft. She escaped damage.
  11 Mar 1943043437° 37'N, 5° 13'EAt 0434 hours, two corvettes were sighted at 500 metres and Benedetto Brin turned away.
  14 Mar 1943072037° 32'N, 5° 11'EAt 0720 hours, a destroyer was sighted at 7,000 metres and a minute later Benedetto Brin dived.
  18 Mar 19431048-143037° 52'N, 5° 20'EBetween 1048 and 1430 hours, Benedetto Brin appeared to have been the subject of a hunt by A/S vessels and aircraft. She escaped damage.

Andreotti, Luigi3 Apr 19431200La Maddalena4 Apr 19430815Naples238,1Passage La Maddalena-Naples.

Andreotti, Luigi9 Apr 19430715Naples9 Apr 19430830Castellammare di Stabia13Passage Naples-Castellammare di Stabia.

Andreotti, Luigi11 Apr 19431100Castellammare di Stabia11 Apr 19431200Castellammare di Stabia4,2Trials.

18Andreotti, Luigi11 Apr 19432300Castellammare di Stabia17 Apr 19430930La Maddalena1020,3Patrolled west of Sardinia, between 39°40'N and 40°00'N, and between 07°40'E and 08°10'E.
  12 Apr 19430630-1430From 0630 to 1430 hours, a submarine of the ARGENTO class was seen on parallel course. This was probably Platino.

Andreotti, Luigi20 Apr 19430200La Maddalena21 Apr 19430710Naples238Passage La Maddalena-Naples.

Andreotti, Luigi26 Apr 19430806Naples26 Apr 19431130Naples27Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi27 Apr 19430000Naples28 Apr 19430632La Maddalena239,7Passage Naples-La Maddalena.

Andreotti, Luigi18 May 19430615Villamarina (La Maddalena)18 May 19431115Ajaccio65Passage La Maddalena-Ajaccio.

19Andreotti, Luigi29 May 19432150Ajaccio13 Jun 19431024La Maddalena1566,2Patrolled off Bougie, between 38°40'N and 39°20'N, and between 05°40'E and 06°20'E.
  10 Jun 19432208
2210b (e)
37° 10'N, 5° 30'EAt 2204 hours, Benedetto Brin surfaced in the midst of a convoy. It had not been detected by hydrophones. This was convoy G.T.X.2 from Algiers and had ships headed for Bone, Bougie, Phlippeville, Malta and Tunis.

At 2208 hours, four torpedoes (533mm, Italian, 45-knot type) were fired from the stern tubes at a distance of 1500 metres at 3-second intervals. They were aimed at a freighter and a tanker presenting a continuous target. Two explosions were sighted after 80 seconds give a running range of 1,700 metres. The freighter took a port list.

At 2213 hours, four torpedoes were to follow from the bow tubes (533mm, G7e, 28-knots), but one of them misfired and only three were launched at 3-second intervals from a distance of 1,000 metres. Two more hits were heard. Thirty seconds, after the firing, a destroyer was observed dangerously close. Benedetto Brin went down to 50 metres and six depth charges were heard. They were followed by six more at 2225 hours and another five at 2306 hours. The submarine was only slightly damaged.

The identity of the stricken vessel has not been confirmed. Yet, HMS Wishart reported that a ship had been torpedoed. The tug Empire Gnome was sent from Bougie to assist, but was recalled when the destroyer signalled that the ship had sunk and she was searching for survivors.

Andreotti, Luigi14 Jun 19432010Villamarina (La Maddalena)16 Jun 19430652Naples239,5Passage La Maddalena-Naples.

Andreotti, Luigi22 Jun 19431400Naples22 Jun 19431550Catellamare di Stabbia11Passage Naples-Catellamare di Stabbia.

Andreotti, Luigi3 Jul 19430811Castellamare di Stabbia3 Jul 19431159Castellamare di Stabbia52,5Passage Castellamare di Stabbia-Pozzuoliand return.

Andreotti, Luigi3 Jul 19431608Castellamare di Stabbia3 Jul 19431726Naples13Passage Castellamare di Stabbia-Naples.

Andreotti, Luigi4 Jul 19430127Naples5 Jul 19430710La Maddalena226Passage Naples-La Maddalena.

Andreotti, Luigi5 Jul 19431752La Maddalena5 Jul 19432005Bonifacio25Passage La Maddalena-Bonifacio.

20Andreotti, Luigi10 Jul 19430350Bonifacio15 Jul 19430716Naples822Sailed via west coast of Sardinia. Patrolled in zone 103 [between 37°40'N and 38°00'N, and between 08°40'E and 09°00'E]. At 1310 hours on the 10th, she received MARICOSOM orders (TG 1201/10) to switch patrol to zones 173 [between 38°25'N and 38°35'N, and between 12°40'E and 13°00'E], 174 [between 38°15'N and 38°25'N, and between 12°40'E and 12°50'E] and 175 [between 38°15'N and 38°25'N, and between 12°50'E and 13°05'E]. At 2345 hours on the 10th, MARICOSOM ordered her to occupy the northern half of 82 [between 37°05'N and 37°10'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E]. At 0022 hours on the 11th she received MARICOSOM orders (TG 2251/10) to proceed to zone 82 [between 37°00'N and 37°10'N, and between 15°20'E amd 15°40'E] via 39°00'N, 15°00'E and point M 3 (Cape Vaticano) then directly through the Strait of Messina to patrol area, escorted by the corvette Gabbiano. At 1842 hours on the 11th MARICOSOM ordered her to occupy the northern half of zone 81 [between 37°15'N and 37°20'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E].
  10 Jul 1943082041° 15'N, 8° 13'EAt 0820 hours, an Italian submarine was observed at a distance of 7,000 metres,steering 230°. Benedetto Brin did not make contact.
  10 Jul 1943093540° 58'N, 8° 00'EAt 1025 hours, an Italian bomber was seen. steering 70° at height of 500 metres.
  10 Jul 1943093540° 28'N, 7° 50'EAt 1315 hours, an Italian aircraft was seen at 6,000 metres flying at a height of 200 metres.
  11 Jul 1943111038° 32'N, 9° 59'EAt 1110 hours, the conning tower of a submarine was observed at 10,000 metres. Her route could not be ascertained and she dived quickly after . This was possibly Turchese. Benedetto Brin remained on the surface. Her diesels were smoking heavily and the head of cylinder no.1 was broken. She finally submerged at 1308 hours.
  11 Jul 1943172238° 37'N, 11° 01'EAt 1722 hours, an American four-engine bomber was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres flying at a height of 100 metres. It made straight for the submarine, but at a distance of 3,000 metres it made a large circle. Benedetto Brin seized the opportunity to crash dive
  12 Jul 1943103938° 45'N, 12° 50'EAt 1039 hours, an aircraft was seen at 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  13 Jul 1943004039° 04'N, 14° 09'EAt 0040 hours, flares were observed and Benedetto Brin dived.
  13 Jul 1943132338° 59'N, 14° 56'EAt 1323 hours, an aircraft was seen at 6,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  13 Jul 1943163639° 02'N, 15° 10'EAt 1636 hours, an aircraft was seen at 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.
  13 Jul 19432050
2049 (e)
38° 35'N, 15° 50'EAt 2050 hours, Benedetto Brin sighted three torpedo tracks, believed to have been fired from a distance of about 3,000 metres by a submerged submarine. The Italian submarine took evasive action and they missed just a few metres ahead.

The attack had been carried out by HMS Unruly (Lt. J.P. Fyfe, RN). It had sighted Benedetto Brin steering 140° on the surface at 11 knots (she was actually making 8 knots) and fired a full salvo of four torpedoes from a distance of 3,000 yards and claimed one hit. The torpedoes had exploded on the coast. For a long time, HMS Unruly was credited with sinking the submarine Acciaio. Although, the U-boat assessment Committee had concluded at the time: "U-boat present. No damage".

There is no doubt she had attacked Benedetto Brin and had missed. The Italian submarine had developed defects in its starboard diesel and Andreotti decided to return to Naples.
  14 Jul 1943005038° 41'N, 15° 42'EAt 0050 hours, an Italian corvette was sighted at 2,000 metres. She was probably Gabbiano.
  14 Jul 19430250-030538° 50'N, 15° 35'EAt 0250 hours, Benedetto Brin sighted a submarine steering 120° at 5 knots at a distance of 2,500 metres.

At 0305 hours, the range had closed to 1,000 metres, when the submarine dived before T.V. Andreotti could take offensive action. This was probably HMS Unruly who reported diving at 0240 hours. HMS Ultor was also in the vicinity but had dived at 0021 hours.
  14 Jul 1943152039° 56'N, 14° 33'EAt 1520 hours, an aircraft was seen at 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.

Andreotti, Luigi20 Jul 19431835Naples20 Jul 19432115Pozzuoli11,5Passage Naples-Pozzuoli.

Andreotti, Luigi1 Aug 19430900Pozzuol1 Aug 19431230Pozzuoli31Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi20 Aug 19431330Pozzuol20 Aug 19431730Pozzuoli36Exercises.

Andreotti, Luigi27 Aug 19431300Pozzuoli27 Aug 19431430Naples13Passage Pozzuoli-Naples.

21Andreotti, Luigi3 Sep 19430226Naples5 Sep 19431002Naples264,2Patrolled off Salerno.

22Andreotti, Luigi7 Sep 19431445Naples11 Sep 19431815Bone735Sailed for patrol off Salerno. When the armistice was announced, she was ordered to Bone. Met HMS HMS Eclipse at 2214 hours on the 9th in 40°15'N, 13°25'E and was directed to Bone.
  7 Sep 19432005
2003 (e)
At 2005 hours, the submarine Velella, proceeding 4,000 metres ahead of Benedetto Brin, was observed blowing up with three torpedo hits. There were no survivors.
  9 Sep 1943131040° 02'N, 14° 20'EAt 1310 hours, Benedetto Brin, proceeding in company of Galatea toward Bone, sighted a naval formation which could not be identified.
  9 Sep 1943154540° 14'N, 13° 56'EAt 1545 hours, Benedetto Brin and Galatea encountered the British MTB 266. She ordered them to proceed to Palermo but they declined, as their orders were to surrender at Bone. They resumed their passage.
  9 Sep 19432126
2214 (e)
40° 44'N, 13° 00'EAt 2126 hours, a British destroyer was encountered (this was HMS Eclipse). Again Benedetto Brin and Galatea were ordered to proceed to Palermo and again the Italians refused. T.V. Cruciani of Galatea went aboard HMS Eclipse to discuss their situation and finally the two submarines were allowed to resume their passage to Bone.
  10 Sep 1943101641° 54'N, 11° 46'EAt 1016 hours, six unidentified aircraft were seen but nothing occurred.
  11 Sep 1943142237° 15'N, 8° 09'EAt 1422 hours, two British fighters were seen. The two Italian submarines continued on their route undisturbed.

Andreotti, Luigi14 Sep 19431324Bone16 Sep 19431130Malta356Passage Bone-Malta with the submarines Alagi, Giada, Platino, Galatea, Marea, Menotti and Turchese escorted by the destroyer HMS Isis.

Andreotti, Luigi2 Oct 19431310Saint Paul (Malta)2 Oct 19431515La Valetta (Malta)12Passage San Paolo-Valetta (Malta).

Andreotti, Luigi19 Nov 19431615La Valetta (Malta)20 Nov 19430930AugustaPassage Malta-Augusta with the submarines Settembrini, Squalo and Bandiera escorted by the corvette Chimera.

Imperiali, Carlo6 Dec 19430655Augusta7 Dec 19431731Taranto285Passage Augusta-Taranto with the submarines Dandolo, Giada and Mameli, escorted by torpedo boats Aliseo, Fortunale, Riboty, Abba, the corvette Urania and the armed trawler HMS Grilse with convoy AH.11.

Imperiali, Carlo3 Apr 19440945Taranto3 Apr 19441700Taranto48,3Trials.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Apr 19440841Taranto8 Apr 19441442Taranto70,9Trials.

Imperiali, Carlo12 Apr 19441300Taranto12 Apr 19441518Taranto10,7Trials.

Imperiali, Carlo13 Apr 19440754Taranto13 Apr 19441720Taranto109,3Trials.

Imperiali, Carlo15 Apr 19441000Taranto16 Apr 19440719Augusta247,1Passage Taranto-Augusta.

Imperiali, Carlo16 Apr 19441100Augusta16 Apr 19442005Malta121,5Passage Augusta-Malta.

Imperiali, Carlo19 Apr 19440550Malta22 Apr 19441915Port Said1053,9Passage Malta-Port Said.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Apr 19440536Port Said23 Apr 19441444Suez89Passage Port Said-Suez.

Imperiali, Carlo25 Apr 19441035Suez28 Apr 19442210Massawa890,7Passage Suez-Massawa.

Imperiali, Carlo16 May 19441025Massawa18 May 19440750Aden467,1Passage Massawa-Aden.

Imperiali, Carlo20 May 19441700Aden29 May 19441545Colombo2066,3Passage Aden-Colombo.

Imperiali, Carlo7 Jun 19440745Colombo7 Jun 19441930Colombo89,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Jun 19440730Colombo8 Jun 19441720Colombo63,8Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo9 Jun 19440825Colombo9 Jun 19441855Colombo87Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo10 Jun 19440735Colombo10 Jun 19441900Colombo91,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo13 Jun 19440722Colombo13 Jun 19441840Colombo74,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo14 Jun 19440725Colombo14 Jun 19441827Colombo86,1Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo15 Jun 19440734Colombo15 Jun 19441840Colombo94,9Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo16 Jun 19440735Colombo16 Jun 19441450Colombo46,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo22 Jun 19440725Colombo22 Jun 19441405Colombo51,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Jun 19440730Colombo23 Jun 19441350Colombo53,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo26 Jun 19440737Colombo26 Jun 19441750Colombo58Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo27 Jun 19440740Colombo27 Jun 19442250Colombo119,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo28 Jun 19441215Colombo28 Jun 19441840Colombo44,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo6 Jul 19440735Colombo6 Jul 19441815Colombo71Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo7 Jul 19440730Colombo7 Jul 19441810Colombo62,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Jul 19440730Colombo8 Jul 19441807Colombo76Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo10 Jul 19440735Colombo10 Jul 19441651Colombo60Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo11 Jul 19441123Colombo11 Jul 19441825Colombo44,2Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo12 Jul 19440732Colombo12 Jul 19441935Colombo71,3Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo13 Jul 19440700Colombo13 Jul 19441444Colombo36,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo14 Jul 19441125Colombo14 Jul 19441835Colombo46,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo22 Jul 19440730Colombo22 Jul 19441320Colombo41,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo28 Jul 19440635Colombo29 Jul 19441150Colombo143,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo2 Aug 19440710Colombo2 Aug 19441925Colombo67,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo3 Aug 19440700Colombo3 Aug 19441945Colombo68,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo4 Aug 19440656Colombo5 Aug 19440145Colombo135Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo5 Aug 19440711Colombo5 Aug 19441959Colombo81,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo7 Aug 19440700Colombo7 Aug 19442100Colombo57,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo10 Aug 19440900Colombo10 Aug 19441118Colombo18,5Trials.

Imperiali, Carlo15 Aug 19441110Colombo15 Aug 19441850Colombo56Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo16 Aug 19440700Colombo16 Aug 19441852Colombo81,2Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo17 Aug 19440700Colombo17 Aug 19441900Colombo82,2Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo18 Aug 19440700Colombo18 Aug 19441433Colombo40Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo20 Oct 19441400Colombo20 Oct 19441854Colombo34,5Trials.

Imperiali, Carlo22 Oct 19440754Colombo22 Oct 19441450Colombo40,8Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Oct 19440753Colombo23 Oct 19441829Colombo56Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo24 Oct 19440820Colombo24 Oct 19441235Colombo8,5Gyrocompass tests.

Imperiali, Carlo25 Oct 19441712Colombo26 Oct 19440145Colombo76,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo26 Oct 19440717Colombo26 Oct 19442037Colombo69,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo27 Oct 19440715Colombo28 Oct 19440015Colombo112,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo31 Oct 19440715Colombo31 Oct 19441835Colombo78,3Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo2 Nov 19440707Colombo3 Nov 19440015Colombo159,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo3 Nov 19440735Colombo3 Nov 19442350Colombo144,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo7 Nov 19441125Colombo7 Nov 19441807Colombo52,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo10 Nov 19440725Colombo10 Nov 19442140Colombo90,1Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo13 Nov 19440805Colombo13 Nov 19442306Colombo89,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo14 Nov 19440800Colombo14 Nov 19442215Colombo97Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo15 Nov 19440735Colombo15 Nov 19441850Colombo73Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo16 Nov 19440745Colombo16 Nov 19441845Colombo92,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo17 Nov 19440742Colombo17 Nov 19441835Colombo119Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo21 Nov 19440730Colombo21 Nov 19442325Colombo125,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Nov 19440735Colombo23 Nov 19441353Colombo33,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo24 Nov 19440740Colombo24 Nov 19442220Colombo121,1Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo27 Nov 19440735Colombo27 Nov 19441840Colombo77,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo29 Nov 19440740Colombo29 Nov 19441825Colombo69Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo30 Nov 19440740Colombo30 Nov 19441344Colombo40Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo2 Dec 19440718Colombo3 Dec 19440230Colombo165,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo5 Dec 19441120Colombo5 Dec 19441840Colombo57Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo6 Dec 19440740Colombo6 Dec 19441900Colombo50,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Dec 19440730Colombo8 Dec 19442330Colombo76Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo12 Dec 19440735Colombo12 Dec 19441410Colombo46,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo15 Dec 19440750Colombo15 Dec 19441414Colombo38Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo18 Dec 19440802Colombo18 Dec 19441515Colombo39Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo19 Dec 19440730Colombo19 Dec 19441935Colombo99,2Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo20 Dec 19440805Colombo20 Dec 19441840Colombo67,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo21 Dec 19440735Colombo21 Dec 19441815Colombo64Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo22 Dec 19440735Colombo22 Dec 19441935Colombo64Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo28 Dec 19441720Colombo29 Dec 19440035Colombo57,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo29 Dec 19440735Colombo29 Dec 19442325Colombo94,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo30 Dec 19440730Colombo30 Dec 19441415Colombo41,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo2 Jan 19450728Colombo2 Jan 19451842Colombo53,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo3 Jan 19451450Colombo4 Jan 19450335Colombo96,7Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Jan 19451635Colombo9 Jan 19450210Colombo79,8Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo9 Jan 19450635Colombo9 Jan 19452355Colombo125,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo10 Jan 19450630Colombo10 Jan 19451525Colombo79,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo12 Jan 19450640Colombo12 Jan 19451830Colombo69,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo17 Jan 19450725Colombo18 Jan 19450030Colombo113,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo18 Jan 19450735Colombo18 Jan 19452155Colombo78,3Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo19 Jan 19450715Colombo20 Jan 19450300Colombo118,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo22 Jan 19451115Colombo22 Jan 19452340Colombo92Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Jan 19450725Colombo23 Jan 19451845Colombo90,3Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo24 Feb 19450715Colombo24 Feb 19451410Colombo38,8Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo2 Mar 19450735Colombo2 Mar 19451415Colombo41,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo3 Mar 19451205Colombo3 Mar 19452010Colombo56,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo6 Mar 19451120Colombo6 Mar 19451800Colombo38,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Mar 19450730Colombo9 Mar 19450215Colombo82,2Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo14 Mar 19450805Colombo14 Mar 19452025Colombo66,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo15 Mar 19451125Colombo15 Mar 19451745Colombo38,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo16 Mar 19451130Colombo16 Mar 19451825Colombo42Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo21 Mar 19450730Colombo21 Mar 19451505Colombo46,2Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo22 Mar 19451120Colombo22 Mar 19452355Colombo102,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Mar 19450720Colombo23 Mar 19452340Colombo111,9Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo26 Mar 19450745Colombo26 Mar 19451500Colombo42,5Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo29 Mar 19450740Colombo29 Mar 19452340Colombo98,9Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo2 Apr 19450730Colombo2 Apr 19451525Colombo44Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo3 Apr 19450730Colombo3 Apr 19451650Colombo57,9Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo4 Apr 19451135Colombo4 Apr 19452210Colombo67,1Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo5 Apr 19450725Colombo5 Apr 19451820Colombo55,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo6 Apr 19450725Colombo6 Apr 19451820Colombo63,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo17 Apr 19450735Colombo17 Apr 19451500Colombo44,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo24 Apr 19451130Colombo24 Apr 19451942Colombo42,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo26 Apr 19450730Colombo26 Apr 19451500Colombo47,3Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo30 Apr 19450735Colombo30 Apr 19451430Colombo37Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo1 May 19450730Colombo1 May 19451440Colombo45,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo4 May 19450730Colombo4 May 19451430Colombo44,9Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo7 May 19450743Colombo7 May 19451520Colombo56,1Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo12 May 19451122Colombo12 May 19451855Colombo51,1Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo30 May 19450740Colombo30 May 19451555Colombo57,9Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo7 Jun 19450735Colombo7 Jun 19451452Colombo39Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Jun 19450740Colombo8 Jun 19451315Colombo35,2Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo27 Jun 19450730Colombo27 Jun 19451730Colombo64,8Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo3 Jul 19450730Colombo3 Jul 19451448Colombo44,8Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo9 Jul 19450735Colombo9 Jul 19451500Colombo47,6Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo16 Jul 19450730Colombo16 Jul 19451453Colombo47Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Jul 19450645Colombo23 Jul 19451552Colombo50,4Exercises.

Imperiali, Carlo23 Aug 19450908Colombo23 Aug 19451234Colombo9,7Trials and gyrocompass tests.

Imperiali, Carlo25 Aug 19451000Colombo5 Sep 19450720Aden2134,5Passage Colombo-Aden.

Imperiali, Carlo8 Sep 19451000Aden14 Sep 19452150SuezPassage Aden-Suez.

Imperiali, Carlo14 Sep 19450440Suez14 Sep 19451620Port Said1423,1Passage Suez-Port Said.

Imperiali, Carlo17 Sep 19451230Port Said22 Sep 19450625Taranto988,2Passage Port Said-Taranto.

304 entries. 227 total patrol entries (22 marked as war patrols) and 98 events.

All Italian submarines