From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Artigliere and Camicia Nera, Italian destroyers of the Soldati class, during the battle. |
| Class overview |
| Name: |
Soldati |
| Operators: |
 Regia Marina |
| General characteristics |
| Type: |
Destroyer |
The Soldati Class (also known as Camicia Nera class) were a group of destroyers built for the Italian Navy during World War II. The ships were named after military professions (Artigliere , for example, meaning "artilleryman"). There were two batches; 12 ships built in 1938-39 and a second batch of 7 ships built in 1942 as part of the war effort.
[edit] Design
This class were essentially a repeat of the Oriani destroyer design. The anti-aircraft armament was increased and a 120 mm starshell gun was installed amidships. In batch two, the starshell gun was replaced by a single full size 120 mm gun. Some ships were fitted with radar in 1942.
[edit] General characteristics
- Displacement: 1,620 tons standard, 2,550 tons full load
- Length: 106.7 m
- Beam: 10.15 m
- Draught:3.15 m
- Machinery: 2 shaft Belluzzo or Parsons type turbines, 3 Yarrow type boilers, 48,000 hp
- Speed:38 knots (70 km/h)
- Range:2,200 nautical miles (4,070 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h)
- Armament:
- 4 120 mm guns (2x2)
- 1 120 mm starshell gun (replaced by 37 mm guns in some ships in 1942
- 12 13.2 mm machine guns (replaced by 20 mm guns)
- 6 533 mm torpedo tubes
- Crew: 206
[edit] Batch 1
- Alpino, named after the Alpini military corps - Built by CNR Ancona, completed 20 April 1939, Lost 19 April 1943 when it was bombed by the US Air Force in La Spezia Harbour.
- Artigliere - Built by OTO Livorno, completed 14 November 1938, lost 12 October 1940, sunk by HMS York at the battle of Cape Passero.
- Ascari, named for the Italian term for a locally conscripted soldier of a colony - Built by OTO Livorno, completed 6 May 1939, took part of the successful attack on Harpoon convoy in June 1942, lost on 24 March 1943 after hitting a mine.
- Aviere ("aviator") - Built by OTO Livorno, completed 31 August 1938, lost on 17 December 1942.
- Bersagliere - named after the Bersaglieri - Built by CNR Palermo, completed on 1 April 1939, lost on 7 January 1942 after being bombed in Palermo harbour.
- Camicia Nera ("blackshirt"), renamed Artigliere after the fall of the Fascist regime in 1943 - Built by OTO Livorno, completed 30 June 1938, given to the Soviet Navy as war reparations, served in the Black Sea as the Z12, decommissioned in 1958.
- Carabiniere - named after the Carabinieri - built by CT Riva Trigoso, completed on 20 December 1938. It served in the post war Italian Navy (Marina Militare), being decommissioned on 18 January 1965.
- Corazziere ("cuirassier") - Built by OTO Livorno, completed 4 March 1939, scuttled during the Italian Armistice of 9 September 1943.
- Fuciliere' ("Fusilier") - Built by CNR Ancona completed 10 January 1939, given to the Soviet Navy as war reparations, served in the Black Sea as the Z12, decommissioned in 1958.
- Geniere ("Engineer") - Built by OTO Livorno, completed 14 December 1938. It was lost on 1 March 1943 when it was bombed by USAAF in Palermo Harbour.
- Granatiere ("grenadier") - Built by CNR Palermo, completed on 1 February 1939, served in the post war Italian Navy (Marina Militare), being decommissioned on 1 July 1958.
- Lanciere ("lancer") - Built by CT Riva Trigoso, completed 25 March 1939, lost in a storm on 23 March 1942 following the Second Battle of Sirte, with five survivors in the crew.
[edit] Batch 2
- Bombardiere ("bomber") - Built by CNR Ancona, completed 15 July 1942. Sunk on 17 January 1943 by British submarine United.
- Carrista ("tank crew") - Built by OTO Livorno, not completed, cancelled 1941.
- Corsaro ("corsair") - Built by OTO Livorno, completed on 16 May 1942, mined of 9 January 1943.
- Legionaro ("legionnaire") - Built by OTO Livorno, completed 1 March 1942, transferred to the French Navy as a war reparation served as the Duchaffaultt until June 1954.
- Mitragliere ("machine gunner") - Built by CNR Ancona, completed 1 February 1942, transferred to the French Navy as a war reparation, served as the Jurien de la Graviere until June 1954.
- Squadrista ("Fascist squad man" - Built by OTO Livorno, not completed.
- Velite - Built by OTO Livorno, completed on 31 August 1943, transferred to the French Navy as a war reparation, served as the Duperre until June 1954.
[edit] References
