Royal Italian Navy Order of Battle (June 1940)

The Royal Italian Navy in the 1930's was going through somewhat of a modernisation and expansion. The navy had expanded their overall Battleship fleet and submarine groups. For example, in 1937 two brand new battleships were launched, "Littorio" and "Vittorio Veneto" and this officially started the buildup of the navy.

Overall, the navy was run by a group of staff officers, who were colloquially known as the Admiralty Committee (Comitato dell'Ammiragliato). The admiralty committee had the following structure during the entire war;


 * Naval Ministry, Naval Minister, Il Duce 1st of March of Italy, Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini
 * Undersecretary and Chief of Staff of the Navy (Capo di Stato Maggiore), Vice-Admiral Arturo Riccardi
 * Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy (Sottocapo di Stato Maggiore), Rear-Admiral Angelo Parona
 * Director General of Personnel (Direttore Generale del Personale), Rear-Admiral Ferdinando Casardi
 * Director General of Naval Intelligence (Direttore Generale dell'intelligence Navale) formed 1941, Rear-Admiral Francesco Maugeri
 * Vice Chief (Director General) of Naval Operations (Vice Capi (Direttore Generale) dell Operazioni Navali) formed 1941, Vice-Admiral Luigi Sansonetti
 * Director General, Naval Armament (Direttore Generale Armamenti Navali), Rear-Admiral Antonio Pasetti
 * Naval Academy Command (Comando Accademia Navale), Rear-Admiral Bruno Brivonesi
 * President of the Naval Council (Presidente del Consiglio Navale), Vice-Admiral Romeo Bernotti
 * Vice President of the Naval Council (Vice Presidente del Consiglio Navale), Rear-Admiral Ferdinando Casardi
 * President of the Admiralty Committee (Presidente del Comitato Ammiragli), Vice-Admiral Angelo Jachino
 * Anti-Submarine Inspectorate (Ispettorato Antisommergibile) Formed August 1941, Rear-Admiral Alberto Da Zara
 * Commander-in-Chief, Italian Royal Navy Fleet Afloat (Comando in Capo, Forze Navali da Battaglia) Formed January 1943, Vice-Admiral Inigo Campioni

By 1923 the Royal Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) had become a separate service and all of the aircraft were transferred over to them. After this move, it was noticed that along with the Italian Doctrine, the navy had almost no dedicated air support, so the Naval Air Force was formed. During 1940 many large ships (Battleships, Heavy Cruisers and Battlecruisers) had up to four airplanes assigned to them and grouped into naval aviation regiments.

1st Fleet
The 1st Fleet was one of the two "main" fleets of the navy. The fleet was almost completely based in Taranto in Southern Italy. The Fleet controlled the most battleships and heavy cruisers overall.

1st Fleet Headquarters

 * Headquarters in Taranto under Vice-Admiral Ingo Campioni
 * Seaplane Tender Guiseppe Miraglia
 * Water Tanker Isonzo
 * Water Tanker Po
 * Water Tanker Garda
 * Ocean-going Fleet Tug Atlante
 * Tugboat Lipari

1st Cruiser Squadron

 * Headquarters in Taranto under Rear-Admiral P Matteucci
 * Heavy Cruiser Zara
 * Heavy Cruiser Gorizia
 * Heavy Cruiser Fiume
 * 9th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Vittorio Alfieri
 * Destroyer Alfredo Oriani
 * Destroyer Giosue Carducci
 * Destroyer Vincenzo Gioberti

4th Cruiser Squadron

 * Headquarters in Taranto under Rear-Admiral A Marenco di Moriondo
 * Light Cruiser Alberico de Barbiano
 * Light Cruiser Luigi Cadorna
 * Light Cruiser Alberto di Giussano
 * Light Cruiser Armando Diaz
 * Destroyer Lancierie, detached from 12th Destroyer Division



5th Battleship Squadron

 * Headquarters in Taranto under Rear-Admiral B Brivonesi
 * Battleship Conte di Cavour
 * Battleship Giulio Cesare
 * Battleship Caio Duilio, undergoing modernisation in Trieste until 26 June
 * Battleship Andrea Doria, undergoing modernisation in Genoa until 15 July
 * 7th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Freccia
 * Destroyer Dardo
 * Destroyer Saetta
 * Destroyer Strale
 * 8th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Folgore
 * Destroyer Fulmine
 * Destroyer Baleno
 * Destroyer Lampo

8th Cruiser Squadron

 * Headquarters in Taranto under Rear-Admiral A Legnani
 * Light Cruiser Luigi di Savoia, Duca degli Abruzzi
 * Light Cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi
 * 16th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Nicoloso Da Recco
 * Destroyer Emanuele Pessagno
 * Destroyer Luca Tarigo
 * Destroyer Antoniotto Usodimare

9th Battleship Squadron

 * Headquarters in Taranto under Rear-Admiral C Bergamini


 * Battleship Littorio, still working up
 * Battleship Vittorio Veneto, still working up
 * 14th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Ugilino Vivaldi
 * Destroyer Antonio Da Noli
 * Destroyer Larenzotto Malocello
 * Destroyer Leone Pancaldo
 * 15th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Antonio Pigafetta
 * Destroyer Alvise Da Mosto
 * Destroyer Giovanni Da Verrazzano
 * Destroyer Nicolo Zeno

2nd Fleet
The 2nd Fleet was effectively the "2nd Line" fleet of the navy. The fleet was based in La Spezia along with the and was overall much smaller and not as heavily equipped compared to the 1st Fleet.

Fleet Headquarters

 * Fleet Headquarters in La Spezia under Vice-Admiral R Paladini
 * Repair Ship Quarnaro
 * Oil Tanker Cocito
 * Water Tanker Volturno
 * Water Tanker Istria
 * Water Tanker Flegetonte
 * Water Tanker Mincio
 * Ocean Going Fleet Tug Mare Ercole
 * Tug Portoferraio

2nd Cruiser Squadron

 * Squadron Headquarters in La Spezia under Rear-Admiral F Casardi
 * Light Cruiser Giovanni dalle Bande Nere
 * Light Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni
 * 10th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Maestrale
 * Destroyer Libeccio
 * Destroyer Grecale
 * Destroyer Scirocco

3rd Cruiser Squadron

 * Squadron Headquarters in La Spezia under Rear-Admiral C Cattaneo
 * Heavy Cruiser Trento
 * Heavy Cruiser Bolzano
 * Heavy Cruiser Trieste
 * 11th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Artigliere
 * Destroyer Camicia Nera
 * Destroyer Aviere
 * Destroyer Geniere

6th Cruiser Squadron

 * Squadron Headquarters in La Spezia under an unknown Rear-Admiral
 * Heavy Cruiser Pola
 * 12th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Carabiniere
 * Destroyer Corazziere
 * Destroyer Ascari

7th Cruiser Squadron

 * Squadron Headquarters in La Spezia under Rear-Admiral L Sansonetti
 * Light Cruiser Eugenio di Savoia
 * Light Cruiser Emanuele Filiberto, Duca d'Aosta
 * Light Cruiser Muzio Attendolo
 * Light Cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli
 * 13th Destroyer Division
 * Destroyer Grantiere
 * Destroyer Fuciliere
 * Destroyer Bersagliere
 * Destroyer Alpino

Submarine Fleet
The Submarine fleet was more of an administrative command rather than an operational one. The fleet controlled the submarine squadrons based throughout Italy. During peacetime, the fleet did control three support ships directly though.

Fleet Headquarters

 * Fleet Headquarters in La Spezia under Vice-Admiral Mario Falangola
 * Submarine Tender Pacinotti
 * Submarine Tender Volta
 * Submarine Rescue Vessel Anteo

1st Submarine Squadron
The 1st Squadron controlled the submarine based in La Spezia.


 * Squadron Headquarters in La Spezia under a Rear-Admiral
 * 11th Submarine Division, La Spezia
 * Submarine Calvi
 * Submarine Finzi
 * Submarine Tazzoli
 * Submarine Ettore Fieramosca
 * 12th Submarine Division, La Spezia
 * Submarine Cappellini
 * Submarine Faa di Bruno
 * Submarine Lazzaro Mocenigo
 * Submarine Sebastiano Veniero
 * Submarine Glauco
 * Submarine Otaria
 * 13th Destroyer Division, La Spezia
 * Submarine Berillo
 * Submarine Onice
 * Submarine Gemma
 * 14th Submarine Division, La Spezia
 * Submarine Iride
 * Submarine Argo
 * Submarine Velella
 * 15th Submarine Division, La Spezia
 * Submarine Gondar
 * Submarine Neghelli
 * Submarine Acianghi
 * Submarine Scire'
 * 16th Submarine Division, La Spezia
 * Submarine M
 * Submarine Foca
 * 17th Submarine Division, La Spezia
 * Submarine H1
 * Submarine H2
 * Submarine H4
 * Submarine H6
 * Submarine H8

2nd Submarine Squadron
The 2nd Squadron controlled the submarines based in Naples, Southern Italy.


 * Squadron Headquarters in Napoli under a Rear-Admiral
 * 21st Submarine Division, Naples
 * Submarine Marcello
 * Submarine Dandolo
 * Submarine Provana
 * 22nd Submarine Division, Naples
 * Submarine Barbarigo
 * Submarine Emo
 * Submarine Morosini
 * Submarine Marconi
 * Submarine Leonardo da Vinci

3rd Submarine Squadron
The squadrons controlled all submarines based around the Island of Sicily.


 * Squadron Headquarters in Messina under a Rear-Admiral
 * 31st Submarine Division, Messina
 * Submarine Vittor Pisani
 * Submarine Colunna
 * Submarine Bausa
 * Submarine Des Geneyes
 * 33rd Submarine Division, Trapani
 * Submarine Fratelli Bandiera
 * Submarine Luciano Manara
 * Submarine Ciro Menotti
 * Submarine Santorre di Santorosa
 * 34th Submarine Division, Augusta
 * Submarine Goffrefo Mameli
 * Submarine Pier Capponi
 * Submarine Tito Speri
 * Submarine Da Procida
 * 35th Submarine Division, Messina
 * Submarine Durbo
 * Submarine Tembien
 * Submarine Beilul
 * 37th Submarine Division, Augusta
 * Submarine Bragadin
 * Submarine X2
 * Submarine X3

4th Submarine Squadron
The Squadron controlled all submarines based in Southern Italy except for those based in Naples


 * 40th Submarine Division, Brindisi
 * Submarine Balilla
 * Submarine Amatore Sciesa
 * Submarine Enrico Toti
 * Submarine Domenico Millelire
 * 41st Submarine Division, Taranto
 * Submarine Liuzzi
 * Submarine Antonio Bagnolini
 * Submarine Giuliani
 * Submarine Tarantini
 * 42nd Submarine Division, Brindisi
 * Submarine Bennedetto Brin
 * 43rd Submarine Division, Taranto
 * Submarine Settembrini
 * 44th Submarine Division, Brindisi
 * Submarine Anfirite
 * 45th Submarine Division, Taranto
 * Submarine Salpa
 * Submarine Serpente
 * 46th Submarine Division, Taranto
 * Submarine Dessie
 * Submarine Dagabur
 * Submarine Uar-Scieck
 * Submarine Uebi-Scebeli
 * 47th Submarine Division, Taranto
 * Submarine Malachite
 * Submarine Rubino
 * Submarine Ambra
 * 48th Submarine Division, Brindisi
 * Submarine Odina
 * 49th Submarine Division, Taranto
 * Submarine Atropo
 * Submarine Zoea
 * Submarine Filippo Corridoni

7th Submarine Squadron
The Squadron controlled all submarines based around Sardinia


 * Squadron Headquarters in Cagliari under a Rear-Admiral
 * 71st Submarine Division, Cagliari
 * Submarine Alagi
 * Submarine Adua
 * Submarine Axum
 * Submarine Aradam
 * 72nd Submarine Division, Cagliari
 * Submarine Diaspro
 * Submarine Corallo
 * Submarine Turchese
 * Submarine Medusa

Upper Tyrrhenian Sea Department
The Upper Tyrrhenian Sea Department controlled the coastal patrol and defence units and ships. These ships were tasked with protecting the coast and bases in the Upper Tyrrenhian.

Headquarters, Upper Tyrrenhian Sea Department

 * Department Headquarters in La Spezia under Vice-Admiral Aimone di Savoia-Aosta
 * River Gunboat Rimini
 * Minelayer Crotone
 * Minelayer Fasana
 * Auxiliary Minelayer Orlando
 * Auxiliary Minelayer Gasperi
 * Transport Ship Matteucci
 * Ship Dalmazia
 * 79th Naval Reconnaissance Squadron (Naval Aviation), 7x Cant.Z.501
 * 1st Independent Coastal Reconnaissance Section (Naval Aviation), 4x Cant.Z.501

Naval Defence Zone

 * Zone Headquarters in La Spezia
 * 23x Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries
 * Imperia Service Command
 * Savona Service Command
 * Elba-Piombino Coast Sector
 * Sector Headquarters in Portoferraio
 * 2nd Naval Militia Legion Regiment
 * 11x Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries
 * Portoferraio Service Command
 * Genova Coast Section
 * 2x Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries

1st Submarine Chaser Squadron

 * Squadron Headquarters in La Spezia under a Rear-Admiral
 * 1st Submarine Chaser Division
 * Submarine Chaser 438
 * Submarine Chaser 439
 * Submarine Chaser 440
 * Submarine Chaser 441
 * 5th Submarine Chaser Division
 * Submarine Chaser 505
 * Submarine Chaser 507
 * Submarine Chaser 510
 * Submarine Chaser 525
 * 12th Submarine Chaser Division
 * Submarine Chaser 526
 * Submarine Chaser 527
 * Submarine Chaser 528
 * Submarine Chaser 529
 * 13th Submarine Chaser Division
 * Submarine Chaser 534
 * Submarine Chaser 535
 * Submarine Chaser 538
 * Submarine Chaser 539
 * 14th Submarine Chaser Division
 * Submarine Chaser 530
 * Submarine Chaser 531
 * Submarine Chaser 531
 * Submarine Chaser 533

10th Torpedo Boat Division

 * Division Headquarters in La Spezia
 * Torpedo Boat Vega
 * Torpedo Boat Sagittario
 * Torpedo Boat Perseo
 * Torpedo Boat Sirio

16th Torpedo Boat Division

 * Division Headquarters in La Spezia
 * Torpedo Boat Mozambano
 * Torpedo Boat Curtatore
 * Torpedo Boat Castelfitardo
 * Torpedo Boat Calatafimi

Lower Tyrrhenian Sea Department
The Lower Tyrrhenian Sea Department controlled the coastal defences for Southern Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. The Department also controlled the Naval Aviation units assigned for coastal reconnaissance and protection duties.

Department Headquarters

 * Department Headquarters in Naples under Vice-Admiral Pini
 * 182nd Independent Naval Reconnaissance Flight, Nitida (4x Cant.Z.501)
 * Minesweeper D1
 * Auxiliary Minesweeper Partenope
 * Ammunition Ship Buffoluto
 * Ship Arno
 * Distilling Ship Metauro
 * Depotship Pacinotti
 * Deportship Alessandro Volta
 * Naval Defence Zone
 * Zone Headquarters in Naples
 * x2 Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries in Salerno and Vibo Valentia respectively
 * Civitavecchia Coast Section
 * Gaeta Coast Section
 * Napoli Service Command
 * Castellamare di Stabia Service Command

3rd Torpedo Boat Division

 * Division Headquarters in Naples
 * Torpedo Boat Prestinari
 * Torpedo Boat Cantore

4th Torpedo Boat Division

 * Division Headquarters in Naples
 * Torpedo Boat Procione
 * Torpedo Boat Orione
 * Torpedo Boat Orsa
 * Torpedo Boat Pegaso

Naval Command Headquarters

 * Command Headquarters in Mesina under Rear-Admiral Barone
 * 83rd Naval Aviation Reconnaissance Squadron (189th Flight in Siracusa)
 * 143rd Independent Naval Reconnaissance Flight, Menelao
 * 144th Independent Naval Reconnaissance Flight, Marsala
 * 170th Independent Naval Reconnaissance Flight, Augusta
 * Naval Aviation Search and Rescue Section in Marsala
 * Naval Defence Zone
 * Messina Service Command
 * Messina Base Section
 * 6th Naval Militia Coastal Artillery Regiment
 * 14th Naval Militia Coastal Artillery Regiment in Reggio Calabria
 * x15 Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries
 * Trapani Coast Sector
 * 8th Naval Militia Coastal Artillery Regiment
 * x13 Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries
 * Palermo Coat Section
 * Porte Empedocle Coast Section
 * x3 Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries
 * Pantelleria and Lampedusa Coast Section
 * 9th Naval Militia Coastal Artillery Regiment in Pantelleria
 * x14 Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries
 * Augusta-Siracusa Coast Sector
 * 7th Naval Militia Coastal Artillery Regiment in Augusta
 * Siracusa Independent Naval Militia Coastal Artillery Regiment in Siracusa
 * x18 Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Batteries
 * Catania Coast Section
 * x1 Naval Militia Anti-Aircraft Battery

1st Torpedo Boat Squadron

 * Squadron Headquarters in Messina under a Rear-Admiral
 * 13th Torpedo Boat Division, Messina
 * Torpedo Boat Circe
 * Torpedo Boat Clio
 * Torpedo Boat Clliope
 * Torpedo Boat Clipso
 * 14th Torpedo Boat Division, Messina
 * Torpedo Boat Partenope
 * Torpedo Boat Polluce
 * Torpedo Boat Pleiadi
 * Torpedo Boat Pallade