RN Bolzano: An Error Beautifully Executed
The Bolzano was the seventh heavy cruiser of the Regia Marina, built to supplement the Trento and Zara classes. Its design was influenced by both the Trento and Zara classes, aiming for efficient operation with the existing cruisers. The decision to build the Bolzano was influenced by lobbying from the Ansaldo yard and a belief in the importance of speed over robustness and protection. The Bolzano had a similar design to the Trentos, but also incorporated features from the Zaras, such as the forecastle and improved 8-inch guns. Its secondary battery was initially planned to have 16 twin-mounted 4.7-inch guns but was later reduced to 12. The Bolzano's speed was a major aspect of its design, with a maximum speed of 33 knots powered by 10 boilers and four shafts. However, its armor was weaker than the Zara class, with a reduced waterline belt of 70 mm and deck armor of 50 mm. The Bolzano was laid down on June 11, 1930, launched on August 31, 1932, and completed on August 19, 1933, displacing 11,065 tons standard and 13,885 tons at full load. Its armament included eight 203 mm (8-inch) 53-caliber guns in four twin turrets, initially planned with 16 twin-mounted 120 mm (4.7-inch) guns but later reduced to 12. It also carried eight 37 mm and eight 13.2 mm anti-aircraft guns, later replaced by eight 20 mm guns in 1942. The Bolzano saw service in fleet reviews, escorted Mussolini to Italian colonies in Africa, and participated in the Battle of Calabria and the Battle of Cape Matapan. It was damaged in various engagements, including an attack by the British submarine Triumph and a hit from the small submarine HMS Unbroken. After an aborted attack on Operation Pedestal, the Bolzano was hit and crippled by HMS Unbroken and never saw service again.
Sources/Other Reading:
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Trento Class Footage: • Video
Battle of Calabria Footage: • Cinegiornale di Guerra...
Operation Pedestal Footage:www.iwm.org.uk...
Video Information:
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Пікірлер: 35
Thanks for watching everyone!
Italian RM ships of this period have a tremendous style, redolent of 30s architecture. One could almost imagine Bolzano as the setting for a Fred Astaire number.
@colindunnigan8621
Жыл бұрын
Or an Agatha Christie mystery...
You are right, the Regia Marina ships were a beautiful design. Please do more episodes on the RM.
Most enjoyable. My Grandfather was the only civilian present at the Battle of Cape Matapan. He was also probably the only American too. He is mentioned in the SOE Book, "D for Destruction".
@massimolicata3144
Күн бұрын
sorry but in my opinion the one at Cape Matapan was not a battle but an ambush against those who had returned to rescue the damaged and stationary cruiser... why not mention then the battle of Alexandria in which a few men damaged and mind you I said ''damaged'' the ''Mediterranean fleet''
Another very good episode. The RM is often forgotten, but the British took their threat quite seriously.
Always admired RM ships and so little is covered about them in the west. More please!
The deficiencies of the Italians in the areas of radar development, lack of naval air power, insufficient anti-aircraft weaponry, and an insufficient number of escort vessels to screen the heavy ships were problems that plagued Italian naval operations and capabilities.
@jdewitt77
5 ай бұрын
Proper number of escort vessels were never a problem. All the other things mentioned were problems.
Another fine presentation. I would really like to see more videos about the Italian Navy during the two world wars. Thanks again for this very cool channel. Your research and gift of storytelling are greatly appreciated!
Sadly for The Regia Marina, the Italian munitions manufacturers had the most abysmal quality control in the world. Otherwise many engagements with The RN may have been different. However, the presence of HMS Warspite, The Grand Old Lady, with Her Magic, just like The Magic , in the Pacific, of USS Enterprise, CV-6, would have mitigated somewhat
A well researched and documented video. Thank you for all the time and effort put in to making it .
This was excellent, do more on the Italian Navy in WW1 + 2.
Hey, great video, but you missed the Battle of Cape Spartivento in November 1940 - inconclusive but still significant action for Bolzano - involving a combined British force under V-Adm Somerville (Renown, Ramillies, Ark Royal, 1 heavy and 5 light cruisers, 13 destroyers) vs. the Italians (Vittorio Veneto, Guilio Cesare, 6 heavy cruisers including Bolzano, 14 destroyers). Again the Italian and British cruisers went at it until Renown got in range (Ramillies of course fell way behind) and opened fire causing the Italian cruisers to turn away. The Italian BBs were attacked by Ark Royal's Swordfish which convinced Adm Campioni to withdraw. While doing so Vittorio Veneto opened up with her aft turret on the pursuing British cruisers forcing them to back off. Renown and VV never exchanged fire, Renown only catching a glimpse of VV, hull down on the horizon. The British also withdrew as they were coming in range of Italian aircraft. Bolzano was not hit but I've seen a photo supposedly showing her with a very large shell splash close to her stern, presumably a 15-inch from Renown. V-Adm Somerville got in trouble with Churchill and the Admiralty for abandoning the chase (the lesson of Hood vs Bismarck having not yet been learned!). Incidentally, then Rear-Adm Lancelot Holland was in charge of the British cruiser force and was also criticized for his handling of them which may have influenced how he handled Hood and Prince of Wales in the Denmark Strait. I don't think I've seen a video on Spartivento. An idea for you?😁
@ImportantNavalHistory
Жыл бұрын
Oh man, I totally forgot. Just a little inside baseball here, I originally wrote this script in March of April and decided to rework it so I forgot some details.
Enjoyed your message. Without your efforts I wouldn't know any of this. Hang in there!
Dry interesting presentation! Thanks for sharing ! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Captain Alastair Mars and HMS Unbroken's attack on Bolzano and Muzio Attendalo was a game of strained nerves. Mediterranean Sea especially that close to Italian shore was shallow , not much depth or area to maneuver for a Royal Navy submarine and a small one U Class at that. It is impressive HMS Unbroken and her crew mortally damaged both cruisers then survived the counter attack return to tell the events and gather the awards. After the war Alastair Mars , left the Royal Navy due to a controversy of misusing Royal Navy resoıurces and became a successful writer.
Great video thanks.
Superb analysis. Yes indeed however your sources are probably same as many of us. I’ve often thought of visiting Taranto to pour over their extensive archives. Apparently they are open to this, helpful and welcoming
Italian style but fragile.
@phaasch
Жыл бұрын
Like an Alfa Romeo, or a Gucci loafer.
Nice summary of Bolzano's career, although it says more about the Royal Navy's success in the Mediterranean Theatre than the achievements of the far more reticent Italian navy. Thanks for covering an often neglected part of naval action in WW2.
@joey8062
Жыл бұрын
Raid on on Alexandra? Operation harpoon?
@jdewitt77
5 ай бұрын
And Vigorous and 2 Battles of Sirte and Pedestal?@@joey8062
Beautiful ships... designed to counter the flawed French designs.... and ripped a new one by the Premier fighting force of mankind...
Interesting stuff, TY
That ship must have been very well built to be damaged like that and not sink.
Barney Fife sings Santa Lucia
Italion naval ships we’re beautiful that’s about it. !
Malta...
On the bright side, the Chariot and HMS Unbroken (sistership of Unbendt and Unbowed?) spared RM Bolzano the disgrace of beeing captured by the Germans and probably renamed KMS Bozen.
a bit of healthy parochialism is good, logically whoever wins a war has the tendency to write what he wants and declare it as the absolute truth... let's consider the fact that Cunnigam never came into direct contact with the 381 of the Littorio and for each exit of a Littorio he took to the sea with the entire ''Mediterranean Fleet'' the victory of the ambush at Cape Matapan was perpetrated against a damaged ship and the units that returned to help it... an ambush to be really proud of, so much so as to pass it off as a battle