Italian Destroyers of World War II

The Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marine or RM) had one of the largest fleets in the world at the start of World War II, including 59 fleet destroyers. These ships were built for high speed and armed with heavy guns but lacked radar. They were active in the Mediterranean, fighting well and losing 51 destroyers during the war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A comprehensive and visually stunning exploration of Italy's World War II destroyers, a formidable adversary for Allied forces endeavoring to disrupt the sea lanes connecting Italy and North Africa. The Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marine or RM) commenced the Second World War with one of the most extensive fleets globally, boasting a total of 59 fleet destroyers, with additional additions made throughout the conflict. These destroyers were a diverse array, encompassing vessels dating back to the First World War, with large destroyers constructed to counter the French Navy's formidable ships of similar size, as well as medium-sized ships that formed the backbone of the destroyer force. The RM destroyers were meticulously designed for swiftness, emphasizing speed over endurance, as their primary operational domain was within the Mediterranean. While they were well-armed, lacking radar was a notable deficiency. Throughout the war, RM destroyers demonstrated remarkable prowess. With the exception of a small contingent stationed in Abyssinia, which engaged in a series of battles in the Red Sea against the British, RM destroyers remained actively engaged in the Mediterranean. The primary objective of the RM during the war was to maintain the vital supply lines to North Africa, and the Italians achieved remarkable success in this endeavor, with destroyers playing a pivotal role. RM destroyers were an inseparable presence at every major fleet action with the British Mediterranean Fleet, reflecting the intensity of these engagements. As a testament to the bravery and resilience of the Italian naval forces, the RM suffered the loss of 51 destroyers during the conflict.

Weight: 168g
Dimension: 247 x 184 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472840554