Italian submarines in World War Two


Santorre Di Santarosa (SN)
Santarosa

TypeOcean going 
ClassBandiera (5) 
Laid down 1 May 1928 Odero-Terni-Orlando, Muggiano
Launched22 Oct 1929
Commissioned29 Jul 1930
End service
Stricken
Loss date20 Jan 1943
Loss position32° 56'N, 13° 14'E
History Scuttled in 32°55.8' N, 13°14' E (near Tripoli) on 20th January 1943 to prevent capture after being torpedoed by MTB-260 and running aground the day before.
Fate

Commands


CommanderDate fromDate toCommand notes
C.C. Antonio Cuzzaniti3 Jan 19408 Jun 1940
T.V. Guido Coscia9 Jun 194013 Jun 1940
T.V. Pietro Notarbartolo di Villarosa13 Jun 194025 Jul 1940
S.T.V. Pier Luigi Puccetti26 Jul 194031 Aug 1940
C.C. Guido Coscia30 Aug 194018 Dec 1940
T.V. Pietro Abate21 Dec 194012 Apr 1942
C.F. Luigi Caneschi13 Apr 194219 Jun 1942
C.C. Alcide Bardi19 Jun 194214 Aug 1942
C.C. Amedeo Stinchi15 Aug 19424 Dec 1942
C.F. Riccardo Boris29 Nov 194230 Nov 1942
S.T.V. Luigino Montesanto4 Dec 19425 Jan 1943
T.V. Giuseppe Simonetti5 Jan 194320 Jan 1943

Ships hit

No ships hit by this submarine.

Patrols and events

 CommanderDateTimePortArr. dateArr. timeArr. portMilesDescription
Cuzzaniti, Antonio1 Jun 19400800Trapani1 Jun 19401515Trapani35Exercises.

Coscia, Guido9 Jun 1940Trapani13 Jun 1940TrapaniChange in command.

1Notarbartolo di Villarosa, Pietro21 Jun 19401820Trapani26 Jun 19400850Trapani930Patrolled between the islands of Ibiza and Majorca, between 39°00'N and 39°40'N, and between 01°40'E and 02°20'E. Uneventful.
  21 Jun 1940042139° 20'N, 2° 00'E
(0) Approximately.
While submerging, Santorre Di Santarosa embarked five tons of water from the stern due to a defective valve. The submarine surfaced at 0430 hours and expelled the water.

Notarbartolo di Villarosa, Pietro1 Jul 19401300Trapani1 Jul 19401650Trapani22Exercises.

2Notarbartolo di Villarosa, Pietro5 Jul 19402155Trapani12 Jul 19401420Trapani536Patrolled in 37°10'N, 11°30'E on a SE-NW axis.

Notarbartolo di Villarosa, Pietro13 Jul 19401632Trapani14 Jul 19400935Messina187Passage Trapani-Messina.

Puccetti, Pier Luigi26 Jul 1940Messina31 Aug 1940MessinaAt Messina. Fuccetti was temporary in command during the refit.

Coscia, Guido7 Sep 19400800Messina7 Sep 19401900Messina68,5Exercises.

Coscia, Guido11 Sep 19400610Messina11 Sep 19401100Messina35Exercises.

Coscia, Guido12 Sep 19400610Messina12 Sep 19401535Messina72,5Exercises.

Coscia, Guido20 Sep 19401800Messina21 Sep 19401035Trapani180Passage Messina-Trapani.

Coscia, Guido26 Sep 19400800Trapani26 Sep 19401220Trapani24Exercises.

Coscia, Guido28 Sep 19400859Trapani28 Sep 19401230Trapani16,5Exercises.

Coscia, Guido3 Oct 19400800Trapani3 Oct 19401055Trapani19Exercises.

Coscia, Guido5 Oct 19400820Trapani5 Oct 19401200Trapani15Exercises.

Coscia, Guido8 Oct 19401355Trapani9 Oct 19400702Messina184Passage Trapani-Messina.

3Coscia, Guido13 Oct 19400200Messina24 Oct 19400852Messina1317Patrolled between 34°10'N and 34°45'N, and between 23°20'E and 24°10'E.
  14 Oct 1940001437° 46'N, 17° 35'EAn enemy submarine was observed steering 270°. This was almost certainly HMS Triad. Santorre Di Santarosa fired a single torpedo from a bow tube at short range, but missed. The enemy submarine replied with a torpedo, which also missed. In a little more than 24 hours, HMS Triad would encounter a second Italian submarine, Enrico Toti, with fatal consequences.

4Coscia, Guido8 Nov 19401903Messina9 Nov 19401037Augusta122,5Sailed for patrol off Malta in 35°25'N, 15°45'E, but collided with sailing vessel Giuseppe e Maria (V.104) and had to turn back.
  9 Nov 19400311
(0) 176° - Murro Light - 5.7 miles.
Santorre Di Santarosa collided with the motor sailing vessel Giuseppe e Maria (V.104, 93 tons) which sank. The submarine was damaged and had to turn back after picking up ten survivors.

Coscia, Guido6 Dec 19400830Augusta6 Dec 19401135Augusta10Exercises.

Coscia, Guido11 Dec 19400705Augusta11 Dec 19401403Messina73,3Passage Augusta-Messina.

Abate, Pietro23 Dec 19401600Messina24 Dec 19400915Trapani182Passage Messina-Trapani.

5Abate, Pietro7 Jan 19411806Trapani13 Jan 19411015Trapani670Patrolled west of Malta, within 15 miles from 35°55'N, 13°35'E on a SE-NW axis.
  8 Jan 19411905
(0) West of Malta.
Two destroyers, apparently on A/S patrol, were sighted at 3,000 metres. The submarine dived and listened on her hydrophones; the noises finally faded away at 2030 hours.
  10 Jan 19410745-0840
(0) West of Malta.
Santorre Di Santarosa heard several explosions and at the end followed by the sound of a turbine. The submarine came to periscope depth to investigate but sighted nothing.
  10 Jan 19411242-1806
1730 (e)

(e) 35° 50'N, 13° 48'E
Santorre Di Santarosa reported being attacked and a total of sixty depth-charges were heard. This was most likely the British destroyer HMS Ilex which dropped eleven depth-charges at about this time. The submarine escaped by going down to 100 meters.
  10 Jan 19412020
(0) West of Malta.
An enemy destroyer was observed at a distance of 3,000 metres. The submarine was about to fire torpedoes when the destroyer turned toward her and she had to go deep at 2023 hours.
  11 Jan 19412045
(0) West of Malta.
An unidentified submarine was seen and was believed to be Fratelli Bandiera; this was actually HMS Triumph, which mistook the Italian submarine for HMS Upholder. Santorre Di Santarosa dived as she was under order not to attack any submarine encountered.

Abate, Pietro27 Jan 19410820Trapani27 Jan 19411159Trapani17Exercises.

6Coscia, Guido1 Feb 19411507Trapani5 Feb 19411205Trapani495Patrolled west of Malta within 15 miles from 35°55'N, 13°35 E on a SE-NW axis. Uneventful except for distant explosions coming from the direction of Malta.

7Coscia, Guido8 Feb 19412125Trapani11 Feb 19411611Trapani389Patrolled west of Malta within 15 miles from 35°55'N, 13°35'E on a SE-NW axis. Uneventful.

Abate, Pietro3 Mar 19410814Trapani3 Mar 19411209Trapani19Exercises.

8Abate, Pietro3 Apr 19411240Trapani9 Apr 19411630Trapani644Patrolled within 15 miles from 35°55'N, 13°35'E on a SE-NW axis. Did not sight any ship.
  3 Apr 19410400
(0) East of Linosa?
The submarine lost a man overboard (Guardiamarina Emanuele Peretti). The submarine searched for two hours but he could not be found.

9Abate, Pietro27 Apr 19412225Trapani12 May 19411010Trapani1258Patrolled east of Lampedusa, within 15 miles from 35°30'N, 13°40'E. On 8th May, was ordered to move 30 miles to the north.
  1 May 19412330
(0) East of Lampedusa?
An unknown destroyer was seen steering 310° at 2,000 metres, possibly an Italian one proceeding to Pantelleria. The submarine dived and altered course away to avoid revealing her position.
  9 May 19410741
(0) East of Lampedusa?
A destroyer was observed steering 120°, 25 knots at a distance of 6,000 metres. The submarine attempted to close for an attack but soon gave up as the destroyer drew away.

10Abate, Pietro6 Jun 19411900Trapani8 Jun 19411205Trapani307Patrolled west of Malta, within 15 miles from 36°00'N, 13°40'E on a SE-NW axis. Uneventful.

11Abate, Pietro13 Jun 19412130Trapani19 Jun 19411110Trapani923Patrolled off Algerian coast to intercept a force from Gibraltar, from 37°50'N, 10°00'E on course 265° until 06°00'E meridian. Uneventful.

Abate, Pietro21 Jun 19411400Trapani22 Jun 19410930Naples197Passage Trapani-Naples, then refit in Naples until September 1941.

Abate, Pietro13 Sep 19410800Naples13 Sep 19411600Naples31Exercises.

Abate, Pietro15 Sep 19411300Naples15 Sep 19411800Naples27Exercises.

Abate, Pietro19 Sep 19411300Naples19 Sep 19411900Naples28Exercises.

Abate, Pietro20 Sep 19410800Naples20 Sep 19411700Naples26Exercises.

Abate, Pietro28 Sep 19410800Naples28 Sep 19411500Naples32Exercises.

Abate, Pietro29 Sep 19410800Naples29 Sep 19411400Naples33Exercises.

Abate, Pietro3 Oct 19410800Naples3 Oct 19411200Naples22Exercises.

Abate, Pietro6 Oct 19411855Naples6 Oct 19410020Naples20Exercises.

Abate, Pietro8 Oct 19410900Naples8 Oct 19411522Naples26Exercises.

Abate, Pietro20 Oct 19411500Naples21 Oct 19411000Trapani175Passage Naples-Trapani, surfaced at 11 knots, via Capo San Vito.

12Abate, Pietro23 Oct 19412355Trapani2 Nov 19411025Trapani1114Patrolled east of La Galite between 37°20'N and 38°40'N, and between 10°00'E and 10°20'E. Sailed and returned through 38°00'N, 10°20'E. On 27th October, moved 40 miles to the west, in 09°20'E to 10°00'E. Sighted several French ships.
  31 Oct 1941204537° 20'N, 9° 32'E
(0) Approximately.
The illuminated French steamer Gouverneur Général Lépine (3,509 GRT, built 1928) was observed. She was not disturbed as her presence had been announced.
  31 Oct 1941233037° 20'N, 9° 32'E
(0) Approximately.
An illuminated tanker was sighted. As it had not been announced by the French, two warning shots were fired. This turned out to be the French P.L.M. 20 (5,417 GRT, built 1920), escorted by the French torpedo boat La Bombarde, on passage to Bizerta. A signal announcing her passage was deciphered just in time and she was allowed to proceed.
  2 Nov 19410200-0225
0330 or 0530 ? (e)
37° 57'N, 10° 58'E
(e) 38° 00'N, 11° 40'E
An unidentified submarine was observed, on an easterly course. This was possibly ORP Sokol, but one of the patrol reports may contain an error in time and/or position, as they do not quite coincide. Santorre di Santarosa altered course to avoid the submarine.

Abate, Pietro5 Nov 19411705Trapani6 Nov 19411000Messina183Passage Trapani-Messina.

Abate, Pietro23 Nov 19412250Trapani24 Nov 19411500Messina185Passage Trapani-Messina.

Abate, Pietro25 Nov 19411430Messina25 Nov 19411715Messina13Exercises, escorted by A.S.45.

Abate, Pietro26 Nov 19411430Messina26 Nov 19411625Messina11Exercises.

Abate, Pietro28 Nov 19411245Messina29 Nov 19410725Trapani180Passage Messina-Trapani.

13Abate, Pietro7 Dec 19412300Trapani21 Dec 19411700Trapani1713Patrolling in area between 34°40'N and 35°20'N, and between 16°00'E and 16°40'E on a patrol line with Narvalo. On 16 December, moved to area between 36°00'N and 36°40'N, and between 15°40'E and 16°20'E. Uneventful.
  8 Dec 1941141536° 39'N, 14° 15'EA derelict mine was destroyed by machine gun fire.

Abate, Pietro23 Dec 19412250Trapani24 Dec 19411500Messina185Passage Trapani-Messina.

Abate, Pietro11 Jan 19421435Messina11 Jan 19421635Messina12Exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Diversi.

Abate, Pietro12 Jan 19421500Messina13 Jan 19420940Trapani185Passage Messina-Trapani.

14Abate, Pietro15 Jan 19421800Trapani25 Jan 19422130Trapani1308Patrolled east of Lampedusa, within 8 miles from 34°40'N, 13°20'E. At 2100 hours on the 17th January, patrol was shifted 10 miles east (34°40'N, 13°32'E). On 19th January, ordered to 34°30'N, 15°30'E and on 20th January in 34°50'N, 14°10'E.
  18 Jan 1942140434° 40'N, 13° 32'E
(0) Approximately.
The submarine had been informed (MARICOSOM 1954/18) of the passage of a convoy to Malta. It consisted of three ships of 3,000 to 10,000 tons, escorted by ten destroyers and four submarine chasers and was sighted at 0930 hours on 18th January, in 33°25' N, 18°55' E steering 285°. This was operation M.F.3.
  18 Jan 1942195434° 40'N, 13° 32'E
(0) Approximately.
Following the information on the convoy discovered earlier, a signal from MARICOSOM (1855/18) ordered Santorre Di Santarosa to Italian Grid 0132 (34°30' N, 15°30' E), Squalo to 8332 (probably 35°20' N, 15°30' E) and Narvalo to 2732 (probably 35°02' N, 15°30' E). The new position was reached at 1530 hours.

Abate, Pietro7 Feb 19420840Trapani7 Feb 19421240Trapani15Exercises, escorted by the tug Levanzo.

15Abate, Pietro10 Feb 19421640Trapani14 Feb 19421030Trapani505Patrolled off Cape Blanc, between 37°33'N and the Tunisian coast, and between 09°40'E and 10°00'E, on a patrol line with Narvalo and Delfino. Uneventful. Sighted only French ships.
  11 Feb 19420100Santorre Di Santarosa was informed of an enemy force sighted at 2100 hours on 10th January in 37°50' N, 07°30' E on an easterly course. The submarine dived at 0815 hours on 11th January, and listened on her hydrophones for half an hour without result and continued her course toward her patrol position.

16Abate, Pietro14 Feb 19421700Trapani25 Feb 19421830Trapani1380Patrolled south of Malta, between 34°50'N and 35°10'N, and between 14°20'E and 14°40'E, on a patrol line with Narvalo. Uneventful. Heard only H.E.

Abate, Pietro14 Mar 19420853Trapani14 Mar 19421207Trapani18Exercises, escorted by the tug Terracina.

Abate, Pietro18 Mar 19421430Trapani18 Mar 19421625Trapani14Exercises, escorted by the minesweeper R.D.23.

17Abate, Pietro28 Mar 19421930Trapani31 Mar 19422330Trapani362Patrolled southwest of Marittimo Is., off Egadi, between 37°53'N and 38°00'N, 11°47'E and 12°00'E. Uneventful.

Abate, Pietro7 Apr 19421955Trapani10 Apr 19420848Brindisi514Passage Trapani-Brindisi. Uneventful. Then refit until June 1942.

Caneschi, Luigi13 Apr 1942Brindisii19 Jun 1942BrindisiIn Brindisi (refit). C.F. Luigi was responsible for the boat and was also Head of 9° GRUPSOM BRINDISI.

Bardi, Alcide24 Jun 19420842Brindisi24 Jun 19421135Brindisi5Trials.

Bardi, Alcide25 Jun 19420832Brindisi25 Jun 19421705Brindisi45Trials.

Bardi, Alcide29 Jun 19421400Brindisi29 Jun 19421505Brindisi4Trials.

Bardi, Alcide30 Jun 19422335Brindisi1 Jul 19421344Taranto150Passage Brindisi-Taranto.

Bardi, Alcide1 Jul 19421548Taranto1 Jul 19421805Taranto10Exercises.

Bardi, Alcide4 Jul 19420800Taranto4 Jul 19421909Taranto10Exercises.

18Bardi, Alcide5 Jul 19421116Taranto8 Jul 19422045Derna (off entrance)Supply mission to Derna with 51 tons of ammunition, but then diverted to Tobruk and Ras Hilal. She arrived there at Derna at 2045 hours on the 8th but, before dropping anchor, was ordered to Tobruk.
  5 Jul 19421715A derelict mine was sunk by machine gun fire.

18bBardi, Alcide8 Jul 19422045Derna (off entrance)9 Jul 19420830TobrukSupply mission to Derna (56 tons of ammunition and 5 tons of foodstuff) but then diverted to Tobruk and Ras Hilal.

18cBardi, Alcide9 Jul 19421945Tobruk10 Jul 19420921Ras HilalPassage Tobruk-Ras Hilal. Possibly to disembark part of her cargo?
  10 Jul 19420130Santorre Di Santarosa was illuminated by flares apparently dropped by an aircraft and dived immediately. The submarine was a depth of 20 meters when two small bombs exploded near by but caused no damage.

18dBardi, Alcide10 Jul 19422300Ras Hilal14 Jul 19421600Taranto1474Return trip to supply mission to Tobruk and Ras Hilal [mileage is for round trip].
  10 Jul 19420130Santorre Di Santarosa was illuminated by flares apparently dropped by an aircraft and dived immediately. The submarine was a depth of 20 meters when two small bombs exploded near by but caused no damage.

19Bardi, Alcide20 Jul 19421100Taranto20 Jul 19422052Taranto84Santarosa was loaded with 79.8 tons of ammunition and 1.3 tons of foodstuff and sailed escorted by the auxiliary F.46 until 1352 hours on the 20th (when point A.2 was reached). At 1600 hours on the 20th, she turned back due to defects.

Bardi, Alcide25 Jul 19420600Taranto25 Jul 19421045Taranto56Exercises. At 1400 hours on 25th July, she unloaded her supplies (mechanical problems?).

19bBardi, Alcide25 Jul 19421253Taranto25 Jul 19421342Taranto4Sailed for same supply mission but turned back. At 1400 hours on the 25th July, she again unloaded her supplies.

Stinchi, Amedeo22 Sep 19420800Taranto22 Sep 19421700Taranto60Exercises.

20Stinchi, Amedeo24 Sep 19421100Taranto27 Sep 19420801BenghaziSupply mission to Benghazi with 75.1 tons of ammunition (German sources give 13.5 ton of ammunition for Air Force and 63.2 tons of ammunition for Army).
  26 Sep 19420745An unidentified aircraft was sighted at a range of 6,000 metres, forcing the submarine to dive.
  27 Sep 19421820
(0) Off Benghazi.
The submarine had just left Benghazi, when she witnessed an air raid on the harbour. Prudently, Stinchi took her down.

20bStinchi, Amedeo27 Sep 19421636Benghazi30 Sep 19421515Taranto1143Return trip to from supply mission to Benghazi [mileage is for round trip].
  27 Sep 19421820
(0) Off Benghazi.
The submarine had just left Benghazi, when she witnessed an air raid on the harbour. Prudently, Stinchi took her down.
  29 Sep 19420230A hospital ship was sighted.

Stinchi, Amedeo14 Oct 19420811Taranto14 Oct 19421230Taranto25Exercises.

Stinchi, Amedeo16 Oct 19421111Taranto16 Oct 19421347Taranto10Exercises.

21Stinchi, Amedeo17 Oct 19421100Taranto20 Oct 19420900BenghaziSupply mission to Benghazi (69.3 tons: 44.3 tons of ammunition and 25 tons of German lubricating oil).
  18 Oct 19420625An Italian convoy was sighted at 12,000 metres and the submarine dived to avoid an incident.
  18 Oct 19421406An unidentified aircraft was sighted at a distance of 12,000 metres and the submarine dived.

21bStinchi, Amedeo20 Oct 19421600Benghazi23 Oct 19421540Taranto1195Return trip to from supply mission to Benghazi. Uneventful [mileage is for round trip].

22Stinchi, Amedeo31 Oct 19421115Taranto4 Nov 19420950TobrukSupply mission to Tobruk with 69.7 tons of German ammunition.
  2 Nov 19422000The Italian hospital ship Virgilio (11,718 GRT, built 1928) was sighted.
  2 Nov 19422135-2150Two vessels were sighted, one believed to be an F-lighter, probably from an Italo-German convoy. Stinchi prudently elected to dive.
  3 Nov 19420455Another Italo-German convoy was sighted and the submarine turned away.
  3 Nov 19420618
(0) Near Tobruk.
Many aircraft were observed flying toward Tobruk and the submarine dived.

22bStinchi, Amedeo4 Nov 19421912Tobruk7 Nov 19421625Taranto1444Return trip from supply mission to Tobruk [mileage is for round trip].
  5 Nov 19420800-1110Many Axis aircraft were sighted and the submarine exchanged signals with some of them.

23Stinchi, Amedeo18 Nov 19420140Taranto21 Nov 19420800BueratSupply mission to Buerat (61 tons: 35.6 tons of ammunition and 25.4 tons of petrol for the German Army).
  21 Nov 19420745
0737.5 (e)

(e) 31° 27'N, 15° 45'E
One torpedo torpedo track, was sighted and immediately after two more. The submarine reacted by a full turn to port and avoided them. Actually four torpedoes were fired by HMS P 44 (Lt. T.L. Barlow, RN).

23bStinchi, Amedeo23 Nov 19421730Buerat26 Nov 19421545Taranto1501Return trip from supply mission to Buerat. Then refit in Taranto [mileage is for round trip].
  26 Nov 19420530
(0) Off Cape Colonne.
The submarine Ciro Menotti was sighted and recognition signals were exchanged.

Boris, Riccardo29 Nov 1942Taranto29 Nov 1942Taranto1501Temporary change in command while C.C. Stinchi was absent on a mission.

Montesanto, Luigino4 Dec 1942Taranto31 Dec 1942Taranto1501Refit in Taranto. Change in command.

24Simonetti, Giuseppe13 Jan 19431110Taranto13 Jan 19431410TarantoSailed for supply mission to Tripoli (42 tons of ammunition and 24 tons of stores) but turned around when alerted by the presence of mines on her route.

24bSimonetti, Giuseppe13 Jan 19431525Taranto14 Jan 19431405Taranto164Sailed for supply mission to Tripoli (42 tons of ammunition and 24 tons of stores) but developed engine defects when in 40° - Punta Alice - 23 miles and had to be towed back by tug Tenace assisted by the torpedo boat Sirtori.

24cSimonetti, Giuseppe15 Jan 19431155Taranto20 Jan 19430230SunkSupply mission to Tripoli (40.8 tons of ammunition, 20.7 tons of petrol, 1.8 ton of lubricating oil). At 0620 hours on the 19th, she ran aground 3 miles northeast of Kaliuscia. She attempted to free herself, but was attacked by four MTBs at 2300 hours. At 0230 hours on the 20th, she was torpedoed by MTB-260 and had to be abandoned (two killed, fifty-two survivors). The survivors were brought back to Italy by the torpedo boats Uragano and Ciclone.
  19 Jan 19430620
(e) 32° 55'N, 13° 14'E
The submarine ran aground and attempts were being made to free herself.
  20 Jan 19430230
2330/19 (e)

(e) 32° 55'N, 13° 14'E
The submarine was still aground in 32°55.8'N, 13°14'E with three tugs attempting to tow her away, when MTB-260 (Tempy Lt. Harry Frederick Wadds, RANVR), MTB-264 and MTB-313 (Tempy Lt. Alexander Dunlop Foster, RNVR) intervened. The three boats were on their way to carry out Operation CHILDHOOD. MTB-260 torpedoed the stranded submarine. The submarine replied with her two Breda two 13.2 mm machine guns. All MTB's were repeatedly hit but had no serious damage, two ratings were wounded. A fourth boat, MTB-267, had a damaged propeller and had to turn back, and therefore took no part in the action. Santorre Di Santarosa was crippled and finally scuttled (two killed, fifty-two survivors). The wreck was found by British forces on 23rd January 1943 when Tobruk fell in their hands.

104 entries. 89 total patrol entries (24 marked as war patrols) and 36 events.

All Italian submarines