Axum (AX)
Axum

Type	Coastal / Sea going
Class	Adua (23)
Laid down	8 Feb 1936	Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone
Launched	27 Sep 1936
Commissioned	2 Dec 1936
End service
Stricken
Loss date	28 Dec 1943
Loss position	37° 31'N, 21° 35'E
History
Fate	Wrecked and scuttled on 28th December 1943 off Proti Island (Greece) in position 37°31'N, 21°35'E.

Commands

Commander	Date from	Date to	Command notes
C.C. Emilio Gariazzo	15 Mar 1940	6 Dec 1941
T.V. Renato Ferrini	3 Dec 1941	10 May 1943
T.V. Vittorio Barra	10 May 1943	18 Nov 1943
T.V. Giovanni Sorrentino	25 Nov 1943	28 Dec 1943

Ships hit

	Date	Commander	Ship hit	Type	GRT	Nat.	Loss type
1.	12 Aug 1942	T.V. Renato Ferrini	HMS Nigeria	Light cruiser	8,530		Damaged
2.	12 Aug 1942	T.V. Renato Ferrini	HMS Cairo	Anti-arcraft cruiser	4,290		Sunk
3.	12 Aug 1942	T.V. Renato Ferrini	Ohio	Tanker	9,264		Damaged

Patrols and events

	Commander	Date	Time	Port	Arr. date	Arr. time	Arr. port	Miles	Description
1	Gariazzo, Emilio	9 Jun 1940	2000	Cagliari	20 Jun 1940	1300	Cagliari	364	Sailed to form a patrol line (S2) on the Cape Teulada meridian: Axum - 15 miles south of the Cape. Turchese - 35 miles south of the Cape. Adua - 55 miles south of the Cape. Aradam - 75 miles south of the Cape. Later ordered to patrol between the islands of S. Pietro and S. Antioco.
2	Gariazzo, Emilio	3 Jul 1940	1450	Cagliari	6 Jul 1940	0900	Cagliari	310	Patrolled west of Sardinia, in 38°04'N, 07°12' E, on a barrage line with Aradam, Turchese and Alagi. The French battlecruiser Strasbourg, on passage from Oran to Toulon, passed 40 to 50 miles from the submarine. Uneventful. NOTE: the submarine sailed with just one pair of binoculars as the three others had been damaged at La Spezia and had not yet been replaced.
3	Gariazzo, Emilio	9 Jul 1940	0305	Cagliari	12 Jul 1940	0630	Cagliari	336,4	Patrolled near Sardinia, 37°40'N, 09°20'E, on a patrol line with the submarine Glauco. During the night of 9/10th, she was moved 300° - 100 miles.
4	Gariazzo, Emilio	1 Aug 1940	0217	Cagliari	11 Aug 1940	1700	La Maddalena	1154	Patrolled south of Balearic Islands, from a point 37°55'N, 06°50'E to 50-80 miles to the west, on a patrol line with Diaspro, Turchese and Scirè. Uneventful.
5	Gariazzo, Emilio	30 Aug 1940	2110	La Maddalena	5 Sep 1940	0900	La Maddalena	722	Patrolled north of Cape Bougaroni, in 37°40'N, 03°00'E and as far west as 06°00'E, on a barrage line with Alagi, Diaspro and Medusa. Uneventful.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	24 Sep 1940	1100	La Maddalena	25 Sep 1940	1000	Cagliari	187,9	Passage La Maddalena-Cagliari.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	3 Oct 1940	1525	Cagliari	3 Oct 1940	1700	Cagliari	29	Exercises.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	5 Oct 1940	1525	Cagliari	5 Oct 1940	1700	Cagliari	0,3	Changed moorings?
	Gariazzo, Emilio	7 Oct 1940	0800	Cagliari	7 Oct 1940	1233	Cagliari	26	Exercises.
6	Gariazzo, Emilio	9 Nov 1940	1845	Cagliari	13 Nov 1940	1215	Cagliari	561	Sailed to form a patrol line with Alagi, Axum, Diaspro and Medusa, 315° - La Galite - 110 miles, north of Cape Bougaroni. Uneventful.
7	Gariazzo, Emilio	26 Nov 1940	0130	Cagliari	30 Nov 1940	1910	Cagliari	323	Patrolled in 38°00'N, 09°20'E to a point 10 miles south of it, on a line with Alagi, Diaspro and Aradam. Uneventful.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	9 Dec 1940	1123	Cagliari	9 Dec 1940	1445	Cagliari	20,6	Exercises.
8	Gariazzo, Emilio	7 Jan 1941	1828	Cagliari	14 Jan 1941	1051	Cagliari	505	Patrolled east of La Galite, on axis NE/SW from 37°10'N, 08°10'E. Uneventful, except for sighting two Italian convoys.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	19 Jan 1941	0720	Cagliari	20 Jan 1941	1800	Messina		Passage Cagliari-Messina.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	24 Jan 1941	0114	Messina	27 Jan 1941	1240	Pola		Passage Messina-Pola. May have been sighted by the submarine HMS Rorqual on 25th January.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	30 Jan 1941	0751	Pola	30 Jan 1941	1455	Monfalcone	1245	Passage Pola-Monfalcone for refit at Monfalcone. Sighted only Italian ships.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	29 Apr 1941	0900	Monfalcone	29 Apr 1941	1612	Monfalcone	62,7	Exercises.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	30 Apr 1941	0900	Monfalcone	30 Apr 1941	1630	Monfalcone	60,5	Exercises.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	9 May 1941	1030	Monfalcone	9 May 1941	1725	Pola	64	Exercises.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	12 May 1941	0835	Pola	12 May 1941	0920	Pola	2	Exercises.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	13 May 1941	0600	Pola	13 May 1941	1915	Pola	152	Exercises escorted by auxiliary San Giorgio.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	16 May 1941	0745	Pola	16 May 1941	1632	Pola	36	Exercises escorted by auxiliary San Giorgio in zone 4.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	17 May 1941	1030	Pola	17 May 1941	1430	Pola	21,3	Exercises with the submarine Alagi, escorted by auxiliary Parenzo.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	22 May 1941	0200	Pola	23 May 1941	1645	Brindisi	346	Passage Pola-Brindisi.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	27 May 1941	1530	Brindisi	28 May 1941	2400	Messina	303	Passage Brindisi-Messina.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	6 Jun 1941	2255	Messina	7 Jun 1941	0620	Augusta	70,8	Passage Messina-Augusta.
9	Gariazzo, Emilio	11 Jun 1941	2045	Augusta	27 Jun 1941	0130	Leros	1248	Patrolled between 32°00'N and 32°13'N, and between 25°00'E and 25°20'E. Bombed by aircraft on 25th June, 60 miles east of Crete.
		23 Jun 1941	2229 2325 (e)	32° 18'N, 25° 10'E (0) Near Ras El Melh.	At 2226 hours, a darkened vessel, which could not be identified, was sighted at a distance of 1,500 metres on a westerly course. At 2229 hours, a single torpedo was fired at a range of 800 metres. It had an erratic course and missed. At 2230 hours, a second torpedo was fired from about the same range and missed astern. The target was most likely the minesweeper HMS Derby, who reported missed by a torpedo on this day near Ras El Melh. The destroyers HMAS Stuart and HMAS Voyager were sent to hunt the submarine.
		26 Jun 1941	1020-1210	34° 00'N, 25° 00'E (0) 070° - Punta Castello - 2 miles (Scarpanto Straits).	At 1015 hours, an Italian aircraft was sighted. Axum made the recognition signal. Between 1020 and 1210 hours, Axum came under air attack from Italian and German aircraft (three Savoias 82, two Savoias 79 and five Junker 87 bombers). The submarine had been reported by the coastal station of Menetes (Scarpanto) at 0800 hours. The British submarine HMS Tetrarch had attacked the Italian motor sailing vessel Alleanza in this area the previous day, but local authorities had not received the signal from Rome informing them of the arrival of Axum. To fend off the attack, Axum opened fire with her machine-guns, thereby increasing the perception that she was enemy. Despite the repeated air attacks, the submarine had no casualties and damage was minimal, which did not reflect well on the antisubmarine capabilities of the two Axis air arms. In addition, a coastal battery opened fire straddling Axum, despite the frantic efforts to wave a large Italian flag. At 1123 hours, to compound the error, MAS 542 fired one torpedo at the submarine as she was not aware of her presence. Axum sighted the torpedo at about 100 meters and managed to avoid it. The submarine was finally recognised and the attacks ceased. She continued her route toward Leros. This attack was the object of an inquest presided by C.V. Aldo Cocchia (futur author of books on Italian submarines and Italian convoys).
10	Gariazzo, Emilio	16 Jul 1941	2045	Leros	8 Aug 1941	0130	Messina	1278	Made outward passage between Cape Prassonisi and Rhodes to area between 32°00'N and the Egyptian coast, and between 26°40'E and 27°40'E. Patrolled northeast of Ras Azzaz, then to Sicily at 2100 hours on 28th July through Point K (33°20' N, 26°40' E). Heard several H.E. and many explosions, some in the vicinity of the submarine.
		26 Jul 1941	0316	34° 00'N, 25° 00'E (0) Approximately.	At 0316 hours, several bombs were heard and felt near the submarine. A periscope scan revealed nothing.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	28 Aug 1941	0815	Messina	28 Aug 1941	1435	Messina	33	Exercises.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	2 Sep 1941	1900	Messina	4 Sep 1941	0625	Cagliari	320	Passage Messina-Calgliari.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	8 Sep 1941	0730	Cagliari	8 Sep 1941	1430	Cagliari	22,5	Exercises.
11	Gariazzo, Emilio	11 Sep 1941	1525	Cagliari	16 Sep 1941	1130	Cagliari	695	Patrolled south of Minorca, between 39°20'N and 39°40'N, and between 04°00'E and 05°20'E, on a barrage line with Turchese and Adua. On 14th September, ordered to 38°50'N, 03°40'E. Uneventful.
12	Gariazzo, Emilio	25 Sep 1941	1830	Cagliari	2 Oct 1941	0910	Cagliari	651	Sailed with the submarines Diaspro, Aradam and Serpente, for patrol west of Sardinia, between 39°20'N and 40°20'N, and between 05°40'E and 06°00'E. On the 27th, she was moved 100 miles to the south and later further south. Then ordered to attack a damaged enemy vessel reported in 27°20'N, 07°30'E. On her return trip followed the North African coast at a distance of 32 miles, between 06°40'E and 09°00'E. Uneventful. Heard only H.E. effect.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	9 Oct 1941	0730	Cagliari	9 Oct 1941	1610	Cagliari	26	Exercises, escorted by the minesweeper Balear.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	10 Oct 1941	0923	Cagliari	10 Oct 1941	1630	Cagliari	24	Exercises.
13	Gariazzo, Emilio	23 Oct 1941	2340	Cagliari	2 Nov 1941	1025	Cagliari	852	Patrolled east of Cape Bougaroni, between 37°10'N and 37°40'N, and between 06°50'E and 07°10'E. Sighted many ships, all French.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	12 Nov 1941	1535	Cagliari	12 Nov 1941	1850	Cagliari	22	Exercises.
	Gariazzo, Emilio	4 Dec 1941	0825	Cagliari	4 Dec 1941	1210	Cagliari	27	Exercises, escorted by the minesweeper Balear.
	Ferrini, Renato	14 Dec 1941	0730	Cagliari	14 Dec 1941	1655	Cagliari	78	Exercises.
14	Ferrini, Renato	18 Dec 1941	2039	Cagliari	25 Dec 1941	1600	Cagliari	671	Patrolled off Cape Bougaroni between 37°30'N and 38°30'N, and between 06°40'E and 06°50'E. Uneventful. Heard only H.E.
15	Ferrini, Renato	1 Jan 1942	2048	Cagliari	8 Jan 1942	1340	Cagliari	1098	Patrolled between Malta and Pantelleria, between 34°40'N and 35°00'N, and between 14°00'E and 14°40'E, on a barrage line with Turchese, Alagi and Aradam Uneventful.
		4 Jan 1942	0220	35° 00'N, 13° 22'E	At 0220 hours, a submarine was sighted at a distance of 4,000 metres, steering 110-120°. Axum dived and lost contact.
	Ferrini, Renato	15 Jan 1942	1250	Cagliari	15 Jan 1942	1725	Cagliari	28	Trials, escorted by the auxiliary Salvore.
16	Ferrini, Renato	28 Jan 1942	1225	Cagliari	28 Jan 1942	1910	Cagliari	47	Sailed for patrol between 38°00'N and 38°30'N, and between 06°20'E and 06°30'E, with Alagi, Aradam, Turchese and Brin, but then recalled.
	Ferrini, Renato	3 Feb 1942	0750	Cagliari	3 Feb 1942	1215	Cagliari	25	Exercises.
17	Ferrini, Renato	9 Feb 1942	1457	Cagliari	21 Feb 1942	0845	Cagliari	946,5	Patrolled north of Cape Bougaroni, between 37°30'N and 38°00'N, and between 06°20'E and 06°30'E, on a barrage line with Turchese and Aradam.
		10 Feb 1942	1410		At 1410 hours, information was received of an enemy cruiser and a destroyer sighted at 1215 hours in Italian Grid 6291/5 (32 miles NE of Cape Bengut), steering 090°, 20 knots. Axum proceeded submerged southward and at 1710 hours received a new signal and continued south.
18	Ferrini, Renato	27 Feb 1942	1250	Cagliari	4 Mar 1942	1000	Cagliari	620	Patrolled off Algerian coast, patrolled between 37°10'N and 37°20'N, and between 05°20'E and 06°20'E, on a barrage line with Brin, Turchese and Aradam. Uneventful.
		2 Mar 1942	0145	37° 16'N, 6° 20'E	At 0145 hours, an aircraft of the Consolidated type was seen at a distance of 2,000 metres.
	Ferrini, Renato	7 Mar 1942	1400	Cagliari	9 Mar 1942	1055	La Spezia	396	Passage Cagliari-La Spezia.
	Ferrini, Renato	11 Mar 1942	1100	La Spezia	11 Mar 1942	1650	Genoa	54,2	Passage La Spezia-Genoa.
	Ferrini, Renato	16 May 1942	0915	Genoa	16 May 1942	1120	Genoa	5	Trials after refit.
	Ferrini, Renato	17 May 1942	0815	Genoa	17 May 1942	1630	Genoa	43,7	Trials.
	Ferrini, Renato	19 May 1942	0855	Genoa	19 May 1942	1600	La Spezia	58,5	Passage Genoa-La Spezia.
	Ferrini, Renato	24 May 1942	0815	La Spezia	24 May 1942	1600	La Spezia	50	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	25 May 1942	0800	La Spezia	25 May 1942	1630	La Spezia	38	Exercises, escorted by the torpedo boat La Masa and the auxiliaries Rimini and Mesco.
	Ferrini, Renato	26 May 1942	0900	La Spezia	26 May 1942	1510	La Spezia	29	Exercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Rimini and Mesco.
	Ferrini, Renato	27 May 1942	1950	La Spezia	28 May 1942	0035	La Spezia	28	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	28 May 1942	0945	La Spezia	28 May 1942	1840	La Spezia	29,5	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	30 May 1942	0800	La Spezia	30 May 1942	1740	La Spezia	4	Gyrocompass tests.
	Ferrini, Renato	2 Jun 1942	1100	La Spezia	4 Jun 1942	1400	Messina	511	Passage La Spezia-Messina.
		4 Jun 1942	0620	38° 52'N, 14° 51'E	At 0620 hours, a periscope was sighted. Axum turned away.
19	Ferrini, Renato	8 Jun 1942	0930	Messina	8 Jun 1942	1715	Augusta	79	Sailed for patrol between 35°20'N and 35°40'N, and between 15°40'E and 16°00'E, but then ordered to Augusta to await orders.
	Ferrini, Renato	10 Jun 1942	0515	Augusta	10 Jun 1942	1230	Messina	78	Passage Augusta-Messina.
	Ferrini, Renato	13 Jun 1942	0815	Messina	13 Jun 1942	1215	Messina	16	Exercises.
20	Ferrini, Renato	14 Jun 1942	0935	Messina	18 Jun 1942	1830	Augusta	569	Patrolled south of Malta, between 34°40'N and 35°00'N, and between 14°20'E and 14°40'E, on a barrage line with Platino, escorted out by the torpedo boat Abba until 1710 hours on the 14th. Uneventful.
	Ferrini, Renato	19 Jun 1942	1200	Augusta	19 Jun 1942	2210	Augusta	111,2	Sailed for Messina, but then ordered back.
21	Ferrini, Renato	20 Jun 1942	2015	Augusta	25 Jun 1942	1945	Messina	559,5	Patrolled west of Malta, between 35°30'N and 35°50'N, and between 13°00'E and 13°20'E.
		23 Jun 1942	2045		At 2045 hours, information was received that a tanker was sighted off Ras Mahmour (Tunisia) proceeding to Malta. Axum altered course to 045°, to intercept. Shortly after, an amplified report was received that the tanker was on course 100° at 9 knots, but nothing was sighted.
	Ferrini, Renato	1 Jul 1942	1800	Messina	3 Jul 1942	0725	Cagliari	356	Passage Messina-Cagliari.
	Ferrini, Renato	9 Jul 1942	0830	Cagliari	9 Jul 1942	1420	Cagliari	27	Exercises.
22	Ferrini, Renato	15 Jul 1942	0230	Cagliari	20 Jul 1942	1325	Cagliari	474	Patrolled east of La Galite, between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and between 10°00'E and 10°20'E. Sighted several French ships.
		15 Jul 1942	2000	(0) 12° - La Galite Island - 5.5 miles.	At 1940 hours, an enemy ship was sighted at distance of 8,000 metres, steering 120°. It was identified as a cruiser, proceeding at 20 knots. At 2000 hours, three torpedoes were fired from bow tubes at a distance of 1,800-2,000 metres. They missed. Axum dived and reached the bottom at 50 metres. She returned to periscope depth at 2020 hours, but sighted nothing. This was most probably the minelayer HMS Welshman on her way to Malta where she arrived at dawn the following day.
23	Ferrini, Renato	29 Jul 1942	1818	Cagliari	9 Aug 1942	1246	Trapani	859	Patrolled north of the Tunisian coast, between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and 09°20'E and 09°40'E, off Ras Agheila and Cape Blanc. Sighted many French ships. Uneventful.
24	Ferrini, Renato	11 Aug 1942	1840	Trapani	15 Aug 1942	1005	Trapani	364	Patrolled off Bizerta against PEDESTAL convoy, between 37°20'N and 38°00'N, and between 10°00'E and 10°40'E, on a barrage line Axum, Alagi, Ascianghi and Dessiè.
		12 Aug 1942	1955 1956 (e)	37° 36'N, 10° 22'E	At 1821 hours, a vessel was sighted, which was thought to be a large steamer or perhaps an aircraft carrier. Axum dived to close. At 1927 hours, a look through the periscope revealed the enemy formation at a distance of 8,000 metres, steering 110°. At 1955 hours, four torpedoes were fired from the bow tubes, at distances varying from 1,300 to 1,800 metres. The submarine went deep. After 63 seconds an explosion was heard, followed by two more after 90 seconds. It was one of the most outstanding attacks of the war. The light cruiser HMS Nigeria was the first hit and badly damaged (fifty-four killed or missing, two wounded). The light cruiser HMS Cairo had her stern blown off (twenty-three killed or missing). The destroyer HMS Pathfinder and the escort destroyer HMS Derwent finished her off with torpedoes and she sank at 2135 hours (twenty-nine officers and 383 ratings were taken off including eight wounded). The American tanker Ohio (9.264 GRT, built 1940) was badly damaged, but her saga was just beginning and by incredible feats of courage, she would reach Malta, bringing badly needed relief. Axum had reached a depth of 65 metres when she was first depth charged, she escaped damage by going down to 100-120 metres. The submarine surfaced at 2250 hours to witness three vessels on fire. She later received the order to finish off the stragglers, but had no opportunity to do so.
	Ferrini, Renato	24 Aug 1942	1500	Trapani	24 Aug 1942	1900	Trapani	27	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	9 Sep 1942	0800	Trapani	9 Sep 1942	1250	Trapani	21	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	6 Oct 1942	0800	Trapani	6 Oct 1942	1200	Trapani	22	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	9 Oct 1942	0800	Trapani	9 Oct 1942	1150	Trapani	21	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	19 Oct 1942	0740	Trapani	19 Oct 1942	1130	Trapani	21	Exercises.
25	Ferrini, Renato	24 Oct 1942	1755	Trapani	12 Nov 1942	1400	Trapani	2027	Patrolled in the western Mediterranean, between 38°10'N and 38°40'N, and between 02°20'E and 02°40'E. On 6th November, she was moved 20 miles to the south and later 60 miles south.
		26 Oct 1942	1130	37° 15'N, 4° 40'E	At 1130 hours, an Italian aircraft was seen and exchanged recognition signals.
		7 Nov 1942	1505	37° 25'N, 2° 25'E (0) Approximately.	At 1505 hours, a corvette was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres, apparently on an A/S search. Axum turned northward to move away.
		7 Nov 1942	1700	37° 25'N, 2° 25'E	At 1700 hours, two corvettes were sighted at a distance of 1,000 metres. Axum dived to 50 meters and heard the explosions of four depth-charges.
		8 Nov 1942	2100	37° 48'N, 2° 20'E	At 2100 hours, two corvettes were sighted at distances of 800 and 1,000 metres. Axum took evading action and heard depth-charges in the distance.
		9 Nov 1942	0300	38° 00'N, 2° 20'E	At 0300 hours, two corvettes were observed at a distance of 1,500 metres, apparently on an A/S hunt. Axum dived and heard depth-charges in the distance.
		11 Nov 1942	0915	38° 50'N, 7° 00'E	At 0915 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
	Ferrini, Renato	24 Nov 1942	1340	Trapani	24 Nov 1942	1659	Trapani	23	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	28 Nov 1942	1638	Trapani	29 Nov 1942	1648	Naples	254	Passage Trapani-Naples.
	Ferrini, Renato	2 Jan 1943	0930	Naples	2 Jan 1943	1345	Naples	23,5	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	6 Jan 1943	0820	Naples	6 Jan 1943	1513	Naples	42,3	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	9 Jan 1943	0900	Naples	9 Jan 1943	1230	Naples	25	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	10 Jan 1943	1137	Naples	10 Jan 1943	1455	Naples	21	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	11 Jan 1943	1310	Naples	11 Jan 1943	1546	Naples	11	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	15 Jan 1943	0917	Naples	15 Jan 1943	1658	Naples	5	Gyrocompass tests.
	Ferrini, Renato	16 Jan 1943	0820	Naples	16 Jan 1943	1143	Naples	5	Gyrocompass tests.
	Ferrini, Renato	17 Jan 1943	1730	Naples	17 Jan 1943	2018	Naples	24	Gyrocompass tests.
	Ferrini, Renato	18 Jan 1943	1530	Naples	19 Jan 1943	1749	Augusta	278	Passage Naples-Augusta.
	Ferrini, Renato	22 Jan 1943	1328	Augusta	22 Jan 1943	1753	Augusta	24	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	26 Jan 1943	0830	Augusta	26 Jan 1943	1556	Augusta	11	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	4 Feb 1943	0832	Augusta	4 Feb 1943	1232	Augusta	24,5	Exercises.
26	Ferrini, Renato	7 Feb 1943	1620	Augusta	23 Feb 1943	0640	Augusta	1439,5	Patrolled in the western Mediterranean between 32°40'N and 33°30'N, and between 15°00'E and 15°20'E. At 2000 hours on the 13th, she was ordered to an area between 32°10'N and 32°20'N, and between 15°50'E and 16°50'E.
		14 Feb 1943	0203	32° 46'N, 15° 47'E	At 0203 hours, an aircraft was seen with a search light (probably a Leigh light) and the submarine dived.
		16 Feb 1943	0150	32° 22'N, 16° 25'E	At 0150 hours, hydrophone effects were heard, which seemed to indicate that a convoy was passing some 15 miles to the north of the submarine. Axum made an enemy report but could not make contact.
	Ferrini, Renato	12 Mar 1943	0812	Augusta	12 Mar 1943	1131	Augusta	22	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	14 Mar 1943	1535	Augusta	15 Mar 1943	1953	Naples	278	Passage Augusta-Naples.
	Ferrini, Renato	18 Mar 1943	0045	Naples	19 Mar 1943	0720	La Maddalena	239	Passage Naples-La Maddalena.
	Ferrini, Renato	27 Mar 1943	0954	La Maddalena	27 Mar 1943	1118	La Maddalena	4	Exercises.
	Ferrini, Renato	29 Mar 1943	1000	La Maddalena	29 Mar 1943	1730	La Maddalena	30	Exercises.
27	Ferrini, Renato	3 Apr 1943	1624	La Maddalena	13 Apr 1943	1540	La Maddalena	1021	Patrolled between 38°00'N and 38°40'N, and between 06°20'E and 07°00'E. Damaged in bad weather (Force 7).
		4 Apr 1943	0905	40° 51'N, 6° 34'E	At 0905 hours, an Axis aircraft was sighted and exchanged recognition signals.
	Ferrini, Renato	14 Apr 1943	0710	La Maddalena	15 Apr 1943	0954	La Spezia	261	Passage La Maddalena- La Spezia.
	Ferrini, Renato	16 Apr 1943	0800	La Spezia	16 Apr 1943	1445	Genoa	46	Passage La Spezia-Genoa. Then refit in Genoa.
	Barra, Vittorio	27 Jun 1943	0945	Genoa	27 Jun 1943	1822	La Spezia	20	Trials after refit.
	Barra, Vittorio	1 Jul 1943	1345	Genoa	1 Jul 1943	1925	La Spezia	46	Passage Genoa-La Spezia.
	Barra, Vittorio	7 Jul 1943	0701	La Spezia	7 Jul 1943	1605	La Spezia	64	Exercises.
	Barra, Vittorio	9 Jul 1943	1331	La Spezia	9 Jul 1943	1924	La Spezia	32	Exercises.
	Barra, Vittorio	10 Jul 1943	1515	La Spezia	10 Jul 1943	2130	La Spezia	40	Exercises.
	Barra, Vittorio	12 Jul 1943	1355	La Spezia	13 Jul 1943	0335	La Spezia	107	Exercises.
	Barra, Vittorio	13 Jul 1943	1557	La Spezia	14 Jul 1943	0205	La Spezia	74	Exercises.
	Barra, Vittorio	15 Jul 1943	1055	La Spezia	16 Jul 1943	0247	La Spezia	122	Exercises.
	Barra, Vittorio	17 Jul 1943	1524	La Spezia	18 Jul 1943	0120	La Spezia	80	Exercises.
	Barra, Vittorio	19 Jul 1943	1056	La Spezia	19 Jul 1943	1859	La Spezia	20	Gyrocompass tests.
	Barra, Vittorio	21 Jul 1943	0054	La Spezia	22 Jul 1943	0638	La Madddalena	286	Passage La Spezia-La Maddalena.
		21 Jul 1943	1330-1337	(0) 0° - Cape Cavallo (Corsica) - 5 miles	At 1330 hours, a torpedo track was sighted, followed by three at 1333 and two at 1337 hours. All were avoided. This was an attack by HMS Templar (Lieutenant D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN), who had sighted Axum at a distance of 4,000 yards, on course 210°. The British submarine had actually fired seven torpedoes in three attacks (one, four and two torpedoes) from a range of 1,500 to 3,000 yards. Axum took avoiding action and sighted a periscope at close range, but could not fire her stern torpedoes as they would be activated only after 500 meters. It had been a close shave.
	Sorrentino, Giovanni	25 Jul 1943	2400	La Maddalena	27 Jul 1943	0830	La Spezia	297	Passage La Maddalena-La Spezia.
		26 Jul 1943	1330-1430	41° 54'N, 7° 50'E	At 1300 hours, a convoy of four ships was sighted. The submarine was hunted ineffectively and fifteen depth charges were dropped. Recognising the Italian flag, Axum surfaced, made the recognition signal and the vessels parted company. These were the Italian destroyer Orsa with a German UJ-boat, escorting the French Ville De Bastia (1,336 GRT, built 1920) and Ville D'Ajaccio (2,444 GRT, built 1929) on passage from Marseilles to Ajaccio.
	Barra, Vittorio	26 Jul 1943	0000	La Madddalena	27 Jul 1943	0757	La Spezia	297	Passage La Maddalena-La Spezia.
		26 Jul 1943	1330-1430	41° 54'N, 7° 50'E	At 1300 hours, a convoy of four ships was sighted. The submarine was hunted ineffectively and fifteen depth charges were dropped. Recognising the Italian flag, Axum surfaced, made the recognition signal and the vessels parted company. These were the Italian destroyer Orsa with a German UJ-boat, escorting the French Ville De Bastia (1,336 GRT, built 1920) and Ville D'Ajaccio (2,444 GRT, built 1929) on passage from Marseilles to Ajaccio.
	Barra, Vittorio	28 Jul 1943	0721	La Spezia	28 Jul 1943	1343	Genoa	46	Passage La Spezia-Genoa.
	Barra, Vittorio	16 Aug 1943	0900	Genoa	16 Aug 1943	1115	Genoa	20	Trials after refit.
	Barra, Vittorio	17 Aug 1943	0801	Genoa	17 Aug 1943	1420	La Spezia	50	Passage Genoa-La Spezia.
	Barra, Vittorio	18 Aug 1943	1900	La Spezia	19 Aug 1943	0505	Portoferraio	80	Passage La Spezia-Portoferraio.
	Barra, Vittorio	29 Aug 1943	0130	Portoferraio	30 Aug 1943	1034	Naples	292,5	Passage Portoferraio-Naples.
	Barra, Vittorio	7 Sep 1943	0907	Naples	7 Sep 1943	1102	Pozzuoli		Passage Naples-Pozzuoli.
	Barra, Vittorio	8 Sep 1943	1545	Pozzuoli	8 Sep 1943	2218	Gaeta	60	Passage Pozzuoli-Gaeta (mileage estimated from 7th September).
	Barra, Vittorio	9 Sep 1943	0240	Gaeta	10 Sep 1943	2013	Giannutri		Passage Gaeta-Giannutri (an island southeast of Giglio Island). The submarine came under MG fire off Nettunia.
	Barra, Vittorio	11 Sep 1943	0930	Giannutri	11 Sep 1943	1938	Portoferraio		Passage Giannutri-Portoferraio.
	Barra, Vittorio	12 Sep 1943	0930	Portoferraio	13 Sep 1943	0715	Palermo		Passage Portoferraio-Palermo to surrender.
	Barra, Vittorio	19 Sep 1943	0936	Palermo	21 Sep 1943	1004	Malta		Passage Palermo-Malta with the submarine H.4, escorted by the torpedo boats Fabrizi and Carini and the tug Liscanera.
	Barra, Vittorio	2 Oct 1943	1330	Malta	2 Oct 1943	1517	La Valetta (Malta)		Change of moorings Malta-Valetta.
	Barra, Vittorio	9 Oct 1943	1615	La Valetta (Malta)	11 Oct 1943	1610	Taranto	?	Passage Valetta (Malta)-Taranto.
	Barra, Vittorio	28 Oct 1943	0805?	Taranto	28 Oct 1943	1648?	Taranto		Exercises with torpedo boats Indomito and Orione and the tug Ercole.
	Barra, Vittorio	2 Nov 1943	1245?	Taranto	2 Nov 1943	2301?	Taranto		Exercises with torpedo boats Indomito and Sirio and the tug Ercole.
	Sorrentino, Giovanni	25 Nov 1943	0836	Taranto	26 Nov 1943	0800	Brindisi	?	Passage Taranto-Brindisi.
28	Sorrentino, Giovanni	30 Nov 1943	1620	Brindisi	7 Dec 1943	0840	Brindisi	805,5	Special Operation DECENCY. Landed a group of fifteen OSS agents (SOE gave some assistance) near Castel di Mezzo (at Pesaro, see Max Corvo). Apparently, this was the "Vittorio" mission which sent valuable intelligence until the station was captured by the Germans on 17th March 1944.
		1 Dec 1943	0230		At 0230 hours, two British destroyers were sighted. They had sailed earlier from Brindisi.
		4 Dec 1943	2330+	(0) Castel di Mezzo ( south of Chioggia).	During the night, Axum landed fifteen OSS agents for Operation DECENCY. This was the "Vittorio" mission, which sent valuable intelligence until the station was captured by the Germans on 17th March 1944. André Pacatte, a French OSS officer (who was a teacher of French at the Berlitz school in Cleveland, joined the party as an observer but did not land. He was supposed to be sent to Corsica, but was then assigned to the Italian SI section, although he did not speak Italian).
	Sorrentino, Giovanni	9 Dec 1943	1525	Brindisi	10 Dec 1943	0834	Taranto		Passage Brindisi-Taranto with the submarine Marea, escorted by the corvette Pomona.
29	Sorrentino, Giovanni	19 Dec 1943	1500	Taranto	21 Dec 1943	1445	Taranto		Special Operation to pick up personnel on the Greek coast, but returned because a diesel engine broke down.
		19 Dec 1943	1500	(0) Taranto harbour.	At 1500 hours, as Axum was clearing the quay, she was involved in a slight collision with the British corvette C.13 [?]. The submarine incurred only superficial damage.
		19 Dec 1943	2340		At 2340 hours, an Allied convoy of seven ships was sighted on an opposite course, at a distance of 700-1,000 metres.
30	Sorrentino, Giovanni	25 Dec 1943		Taranto	28 Dec 1943	PM	Scuttled		Sailed from Taranto, to land a British agent and pick up seven Allied Military Mission personnel, one I.S.L.D. agent and two USAAF personnel (Operation VOUCHSAFE 1) in the Gulf of Arcadia (south of the Channel between Zante and Morea). Ran aground on the Morean coast in 37°31'N, 21°35'E in Ionian Sea on 27th December. Scuttled on 28th December. There were no casualties, but the survivors could not linger near the wreck for fear of being captured by the Germans. They had to trek over mountainous terrain with the help of the Greek Resistance and the RAF, which parachuted boots and warm clothing. They were picked up by the torpedo boat Ardimentoso on 29th January 1944 at Marathopolis (in front of Proti Island) in 37°03'N, 21°34'E and brought to Taranto on the next day. At the time of her loss, consideration had been given to send Axum to Bermuda for ASW training.
		27 Dec 1943	2000+	37° 31'N, 21° 35'E	At about 2000 hours, a British I.S.L.D. agent, Captain Peter, was successfully landed (operation VOUCHSAFE 1). Axum was also to extricate seven Allied Military Mission personnel, one I.S.L.D. agent and two USAAF personnel, but accidentally ran aground on Kaifas Beach. Despite numerous efforts, she could not free herself and had to be abandoned at 2200 hours. She was scuttled during the afternoon of 28th December. The crew (six officers and thirty-eight ratings), with the help of the Greek Resistance and the parachuting of warm clothes by a RAF aircraft, eluded the efforts of the Germans to capture then. They walked for five days across the mountains of Morea and were picked up along with three British and two Greek officers, two British and four Greek other ranks by the torpedo-boat Ardimentoso (C.C. Domenico Ravera) on Proti Island on 29th January 1944 and returned to Taranto on the next day (operation VOUCHSAFE 3).

140 entries. 131 total patrol entries (30 marked as war patrols) and 27 events.

All Italian submarines

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