Velella (VL, I.27)
Velella

Type	Ocean going
Class	Argo (11)
Laid down	31 Oct 1931	Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone
Launched	18 Dec 1936
Commissioned	31 Aug 1937
End service
Stricken
Loss date	7 Sep 1943
Loss position	40° 15'N, 14° 30'E
History
Fate	Torpedoed and sunk on 7th September 1943 about 18 nautical miles east of Licosa Island, south of Salerno, in position 40°15'N, 14°30'E by British submarine HMS Shakespeare.

Commands

Commander	Date from	Date to	Command notes
T.V. Pasquale Terra	15 Dec 1938	19 Dec 1941
Fernando Ubaldelli	20 Dec 1941	2 Jan 1942
T.V. Giovanni Febbraro	3 Jan 1942	8 Jun 1943
T.V. Mario Patanè	9 Jun 1943	7 Sep 1943

Ships hit

No ships hit by this submarine.

Patrols and events

	Commander	Date	Time	Port	Arr. date	Arr. time	Arr. port	Miles	Description
1	Terra, Pasquale	5 Jun 1940	0535	Brindisi	20 Jun 1940	2040	Leros	1483,5	Patrolled between Rhodes and the Turkish coast in 36°27'N, 28°40'E. Uneventful. Off Cerigo at 1300 hours on 9th June. At 1015 hours on the 11th in the Northern searched channel of Rhodes and arrived in patrol area at 0100 hours on the 12th. At 2100 hours on the 19th, left patrol for Leros.
2	Terra, Pasquale	3 Jul 1940	1950	Leros	15 Jul 1940	2400	Alimnia Bay	1193	Patrolled on Crete-Alexandria route, in 33°05'N, 28°45'E, on a patrol line with Tricheco and Beilul then anchored in Alimnia Bay.
2b	Terra, Pasquale	16 Jul 1940	1205	Alimnia Bay	17 Jul 1940	0320	Leros		Passage Alimnia Bay-Leros.
3	Terra, Pasquale	19 Aug 1940	1200	Leros	26 Aug 1940	1200	Leros	663	Patrolled east of Crete, laid two lines of sounding buoys at 500 metres interval, from Plati Island (Kaso) to Cape Plaka (Crete) and from Plati Island to Cape Sidero (Crete).
		21 Aug 1940	0118	(0) Off Cape Sidero.	At 0118 hours, a destroyer proceeding toward Cape Sidero was observed at a distance of 5-6,000 metres. She passed out of sight.
	Terra, Pasquale	6 Sep 1940	1634	Leros	14 Sep 1940	1815	La Spezia	1336	Passage Leros-La Spezia. Uneventful.
	Terra, Pasquale	24 Oct 1940	0910	La Spezia	24 Oct 1940	1555	La Spezia		Exercises.
	Terra, Pasquale	25 Oct 1940	1630	La Spezia	25 Oct 1940	1700	La Spezia		Exercises? Escorted by the submarine H.2.
	Terra, Pasquale	30 Oct 1940	0820	La Spezia	30 Oct 1940	1230	La Spezia		Exercises.
4	Terra, Pasquale	1 Nov 1940	0730	La Spezia	8 Nov 1940	2200	La Spezia	1155	Sailed for Gibraltar (and Bordeaux) but was then recalled when the fuel flow to one of her engines was interrupted.
	Terra, Pasquale	20 Nov 1940	0915	La Spezia	20 Nov 1940	1105	La Spezia		Exercises.
5	Terra, Pasquale	25 Nov 1940	0750	La Spezia	25 Dec 1940	1900	Bordeaux	4528	Passage La Spezia-Bordeaux and patrol between 37°00'N and 40°00'N, between 09°00'W and 11°00'W. Crossed Gibraltar on 1st December, where she was seriously depth-charged by two British destroyers but escaped at a depth of 130 meters. From 4th to 20th December off Lisbon then to Bordeaux. Sighted several neutral vessels.
		15 Dec 1940	0900-1000	(0) Off Cape Roca.	At 0900 hours, a submarine, who proved to be Michele Bianchi, was encountered and exchanged recognition signals. Velella was informed that Brin was following her.
		17 Dec 1940	0340	(0) Off Cape Roca.	At 0340 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted and the submarine took an intercepting course. At 0930 hours, the vessel was ordered to stop and requested to show her papers. An officer brought them aboard the submarine and she proved to be the Spanish Castillo Andrade (3,457 GRT, built 1914) of Cadiz, on passage from Las Palmas to Vigo with a cargo of fruit. She was allowed to proceed.
6	Terra, Pasquale	18 Feb 1941	1100	Bordeaux	18 Feb 1941	1500	Le Verdon	50	Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.
6b	Terra, Pasquale	19 Feb 1941	0830	Le Verdon	19 Feb 1941	1925	La Pallice	110	Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice, escorted by the German minesweepers M-6, M-9 and M-21 and Sperrbrecher 16, the latter as far as Buoy 1.
6c	Terra, Pasquale	20 Feb 1941	0900	La Pallice	20 Feb 1941	1410	La Pallice	30	Trials at Le Pertuis d'Antioche.
6d	Terra, Pasquale	23 Feb 1941	1750	La Pallice	21 Mar 1941	1410	Pauillac	4500	Sailed for Atlantic patrol between 54°00'N and 55°00'N, and between 18°00'W and 25°00'W. On her return was met by Sperrbrecher III, the minesweepers M-9 and M-12, the submarine chaser UJ-K and the patrol vessel V-406 and escorted in.
		27 Feb 1941	1425		At 1425 hours, a vessel was seen zigzagging steering 250°. The submarine attempted to intercept it but lost contact at 2030 hours.
		2 Mar 1941	1700		At 1700 hours, Velella received a signal from BETASOM (1500/2) reporting a large convoy in Italian Grid 2781/46 steering 270° and was ordered to Grid 6124/41 to intercept. She complied by taking a 090° course at 7 knots, but due to the heavy weather it was impossible to reach the area in time.
		3 Mar 1941	1600		At 1600 hours, two vessels were sighted at 8,000 metres. They turned out to be two three-funnel destroyers steering 070°. The submarine dived quickly and was not detected. At 2350 hours on 3rd March, Velellla received signals from BETASOM: the first (1650/3) ordering her to move north at 10 knots and, a second (2300/3) ordering her to patrol within a radius of 5 miles from Italian Grid 2767/66. At 1900 hours on 4th March, she received a signal (1740/4) ordering her to proceed to Grid 5324/63.
		9 Mar 1941	1855		At 1855 hours, a submarine was sighted and, after exchanging recognition signals, identified as Brin.
6e	Terra, Pasquale	21 Mar 1941	1530	Pauillac	21 Mar 1941	1840	Bordeaux	30	Passage Pauillac-Bordeaux. Then refit.
7	Terra, Pasquale	23 May 1941	0630	Bordeaux	23 May 1941	1730	Le Verdon	60	Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.
7b	Terra, Pasquale	24 May 1941	0220	Le Verdon	24 May 1941	0630	Le Verdon	60	Sailed for patrol led by Sperrbrecher III but lost her in the darkness and had a slight collision with the Alsterufer who was proceeding to Bordeaux escorted by M-boats. She had damage to her forward tube and had to turn back for repairs. This delayed her departure by four days.
		24 May 1941	0430	(0) Off the Gironde (entrance of La Grande Passe de l'Ouest).	At 0430 hours, Velella collided with the German blockade-runner Alsterufer (2.729 GRT, built 1939), on her way to Bordeaux escorted by M-boats from the 8.MSFL. The submarine suffered slight damage which forced her to turn back and delay her departure by four days. T.V. Pasquale Terra was reprimanded for the accident.
7c	Terra, Pasquale	24 May 1941	0800 approx.	Le Verdon	24 May 1941	1800	Bordeaux	60	Passage Le Verdon-Bordeaux for repairs.
		24 May 1941	0430	(0) Off the Gironde (entrance of La Grande Passe de l'Ouest).	At 0430 hours, Velella collided with the German blockade-runner Alsterufer (2.729 GRT, built 1939), on her way to Bordeaux escorted by M-boats from the 8.MSFL. The submarine suffered slight damage which forced her to turn back and delay her departure by four days. T.V. Pasquale Terra was reprimanded for the accident.
7d	Terra, Pasquale	28 May 1941	0857	Bordeaux	28 May 1941	1300	Le Verdon	60	Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.
7e	Terra, Pasquale	28 May 1941	2000	Le Verdon	20 Jun 1941	0905	Le Verdon	4500	Sailed for Atlantic patrol (1) between 34°45'N and 35°45'N, and between 12°50'W and 13°50'W (2) within 30 miles of 33°55'N, 14°50'W. Escorted out by Sperrbrecher III.
		30 May 1941	1145	43° 42'N, 9° 24'W	At 1145 hours, many smokes were observed over the horizon. The submarine closed only to find out that they were fishing vessels.
		30 May 1941	1600	43° 32'N, 9° 14'W	An Sunderland was seen and the submarine dived.
		30 May 1941	1935-2040	43° 11'N, 9° 34'W	At 1935 hours, a vessel was sighted. The submarine closed to attack, but then desisted when she proved to be a neutral.
		31 May 1941	1700	40° 20'N, 10° 58'W	At 1700 hours a vessel was sighted on a 050° course. The submarine closed and at 1952 hours dived to attack. It proved to be small 300 to 400-ton neutral tanker and the attack was aborted.
		3 Jun 1941	0830	35° 13'N, 13° 05'W	At 0830 hours, a steamer on a 055° course was sighted, but the submarine could not catch up and she disappeared in the distance.
		4 Jun 1941	1905	35° 31'N, 13° 18'W	At 1905 hours, a steamer was sighted. At 2015 hours, she was identified as neutral and the attack broken off.
		5 Jun 1941	0410	35° 03'N, 13° 38'W	At 0410 hours, a dark shadow was sighted. As the submarine closed, it was identified as a submarine chaser zigzagging steering 060-120°. A sudden change of course prevented Velella from carrying out an attack, but the submarine altered course to 270° on the supposition that this vessel was scouting ahead of a convoy.
		5 Jun 1941	0640	35° 03'N, 13° 47'W	At 0640 hours, a destroyer was sighted at 2,500 metres proceeding on a 100° course. Velella turned with the intention of attacking it with a stern shot but then sighted a tanker in the distance.
		5 Jun 1941	0645	35° 02'N, 13° 48'W	A large tanker was sighted at a distance of 4-5,000 metres but the submarine could not close the range.
		5 Jun 1941	1825	35° 07'N, 12° 58'W	At 1825 hours, Velella sighted a convoy steering 090° at 8 knots. The submarine turned to a parallel course hoping to intercept after dusk ahead of the convoy with the moon behind.
		5 Jun 1941	2230	35° 07'N, 12° 10'W	At 2230 hours, the submarine Marconi was encountered and directed toward the convoy.
		6 Jun 1941	0604	35° 06'N, 11° 20'W	Velella, trailing the convoy [OG.63], had observed only small vessels on the starboard column. She moved to attack the vessels on the port column which appeared larger. At 0604 hours, a 12,000/14,000-ton tanker followed by a 7,000/8,000-ton steamer were sighted and T.V. Terra decided to attack both. Two torpedoes were fired from the bow tubes at a distance of 800 metres aimed at the tanker. Both were claimed hit and the tanker reported damaged, but this has not been confirmed.
		6 Jun 1941	0606 0605-0616 (e)	35° 00'N, 11° 00'W (e) 35° 45'N, 10° 50'W	One torpedo aimed at the second ship was fired from 400-500 metres and simultaneously, the target fired two rounds at the submarine. This was the British Tintern Abbey (2479 GRT, built 1939) and although Terra reported her as sunk, she had not been hit. At 0652 hours, HMS Wellington opened fire on the submarine at a range of 14,000-13,600 yards. The submarine dived to 100 metres and was shaken by three explosions which caused minor damages.
		8 Jun 1941	1715 1610 (e)	35° 46'N, 12° 25'W (e) 36° 02'N, 11° 52'W	At 1715 hours, the submarine sighted a reconnaissance aircraft approaching. At a range of 500-600 metres, Velella opened fire with her machine guns while taking evasive action. This was Catalina 'C' (AH538) of 202 Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant R.W. Whittome and it dropped two 500lb bombs, which missed about 100 metres astern, according to Terra (30 feet according to Whittome). The Catalina was hit by a few 13.2mm rounds but not seriously damaged. The aircraft returned for a second run and dropped two more bombs, missing the bow by about 20 metres (15 feet according to the pilot). At 1745 hours, Velella dived and escaped.
7f	Terra, Pasquale	20 Jun 1941	1218	Le Verdon	20 Jun 1941	1700	Bordeaux		Passage Le Verdon-Bordeaux.
8	Terra, Pasquale	12 Aug 1941	1000	Bordeaux	12 Aug 1941	1400	Le Verdon	50	Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.
8b	Terra, Pasquale	12 Aug 1941	1800	Le Verdon	12 Aug 1941	1930	Le Verdon		Trials.
8c	Terra, Pasquale	13 Aug 1941	0800	Le Verdon	13 Aug 1941	1915	La Pallice	110	Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice.
8d	Terra, Pasquale	16 Aug 1941	1830	La Pallice	16 Aug 1941	2015	La Pallice	?	Sailed for patrol, but turned back because of a defective gyrocompass.
8e	Terra, Pasquale	17 Aug 1941	1020	La Pallice	29 Aug 1941	1340	Cagliari	2230	Passage La Pallice-Cagliari after four missions in the Atlantic. Passed Gibraltar on the surface during the night of 24/25th August 1941, finally diving at 0707 hours on the 25th.
		24 Aug 1941	2330	(0) West of Gibraltar.	At 2330 hours, as Velella was nearing the Straits of Gibraltar, a submarine chaser was sighted at 1,500 metres. Terra elected to remain on the surface and was not seen.
	Terra, Pasquale	7 Sep 1941	0900	Cagliari	8 Sep 1941	1030	Naples	265	Passage Cagliari-Naples. Then refit until January 1942.
	Ubaldelli, Fernando	20 Dec 1941		Naples	2 Jan 1942		Naples		Refit in Naples. Change in command.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	16 Jan 1942	0900	Naples	16 Jan 1942	1530	Naples	30,9	Trials.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	20 Jan 1942	0900	Naples	20 Jan 1942	1645	Naples	15,9	Trials.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	21 Jan 1942	0900	Naples	21 Jan 1942	1740	Naples	28,2	Trials.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	23 Jan 1942	0730	Naples	23 Jan 1942	1510	Naples	45	Exercises with torpedo boat Circe (S-Gerät and German depth-charges).
	Febbraro, Giovanni	27 Jan 1942	1535	Naples	31 Jan 1942	0415	Ancona	897	Passage Naples-Pola via Ancona.
		28 Jan 1942	1930		At 1930 hours, the submarine Ruggiero Settimo was encountered.
		29 Jan 1942	0210		At 0210 hours, the submarine Ammiraglio Cagni was encountered on opposite course.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	3 Feb 1942	0715	Ancona	3 Feb 1942	1725	Pola	98	Passage Ancona-Pola.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	13 Feb 1942	1300	Pola	13 Feb 1942	1800	Pola	36	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	15 Feb 1942	1300	Pola	15 Feb 1942	1700	Pola	25	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	23 Feb 1942	0830	Pola	23 Feb 1942	1600	Pola	22	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	25 Feb 1942	0745	Pola	25 Feb 1942	1445	Fiume	60	Passage Pola-Fiume.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	27 Feb 1942	0800	Fiume	27 Feb 1942	1635	Fiume	29	Exercises, escorted the auxiliary Trau.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	28 Feb 1942	0900	Fiume	28 Feb 1942	1600	Fiume	35	Exercises escorted by the auxiliary Jadera.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	9 Mar 1942	0700	Sussa (Fiume)	9 Mar 1942	1200	Sussa (Fiume)	29	Exercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Abbazia and Trau.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	17 Mar 1942	0925	Fiume (Sussa)	20 Mar 1942	1020	Augusta	691	Passage Fiume-Augusta. Uneventful.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	3 Apr 1942	1100	Augusta	5 Apr 1942	1005	Cagliari	358	Passage Augusta-Cagliari, escorted as far as Cape Vaticano by the auxiliary Lago Tana.
9	Febbraro, Giovanni	13 Apr 1942	0830	Cagliari	2 May 1942	1030	Cagliari	2155	Sailed for patrol between 36°50'N and 37°30'N, and between 00°40'E and 01°00'E. On 22nd April, shifted to area between 38°00'N and 38°40'N, and between 01°10'E and 01°40'E. Ordered to Grids 8137 and 0137 (between 37°20'N and 38°00'N, and between 02°00'E and 02°20'E). Patrolled off east of Cape de Gata and south of Formentara (Spain).
		20 Apr 1942	0035		At 0035 hours, a large dark shadow was sighted at 7-8,000 metres, but it was fast moving away and no attack was possible.
		20 Apr 1942	0450 0355A (e)	36° 45'N, 0° 12'W (e) 36° 45'N, 0° 10'E	At 0440 hours, a lone destroyer was sighted on an easterly course at 18-20 knots. Ten minutes later, two torpedoes were fired at a range of 1,000 metres but missed. This was HMS Antelope on her way to rejoin Force H after refuelling at Gibraltar (during operation CALENDAR: USS Wasp flying off 47 Spitfires to Malta). One torpedo track was sighted by the destroyer and she tried to locate the submarine but could not obtain a contact.
		27 Apr 1942	0205		At 0205 hours, Velella sighted a submarine steering 075° and made an enemy report at 0317 hours. Emo attempted to intercept it but could not make contact. MARICOSOM had informed submarines that a British submarine of the TRITON class had sailed from Gibraltar at 1830 hours on 22nd April [this was HMS Taku], followed by an 'O' class submarine at 2130 hours on the 25th [HMS Osiris]. The submarine seen was probably the latter.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	21 May 1942	0755	Cagliari	21 May 1942	0935	Cagliari	4	Trials.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	23 May 1942	0820	Cagliari	23 May 1942	1255	Cagliari	16	Trials.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	24 May 1942	0900	Cagliari	24 May 1942	1132	Cagliari	16	Trials.
10	Febbraro, Giovanni	8 Jun 1942	0345	Cagliari	20 Jun 1942	0825	Cagliari	1680	Patrolled south of Balearic Islands between 37°40'N and 38°00'N, and between 03°00'E and 03°40'E. On 10th June, shifted to 50 miles to the east. On 12th June, shifted to patrol area between 36°10'N and 36°40'N, and between 00°20'E and 01°00'E.
		12 Jun 1942	2020		An unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		15 Jun 1942	0210		At 0210 hours, two small vessels were seen which were probably MTBs. The submarine turned away.
		18 Jun 1942	0935		An unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
11	Febbraro, Giovanni	23 Jun 1942	0614	Cagliari	29 Jun 1942	0835	Cagliari	633	Sailed to form a patrol line with Uarsciek, Malachite and Giada east of La Galite, between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and between 09°00'E and 09°20'E.
		27 Jun 1942	0511	37° 24'N, 9° 20'E	At 0345 hours, a small illuminated tanker was sighted steering 080°, 8 knots. At 0511 hours, Velella had closed to 500 metres but the nationality could not be ascertained and she fired two torpedoes. They both missed.
		27 Jun 1942	0514	37° 24'N, 9° 20'E	A third torpedo was fired at the same tanker from a bow tube, due to an error in drill. The tanker was later seen flying French colours. It was believed to have been Noroit (453 GRT, built 1935).
12	Febbraro, Giovanni	16 Jul 1942	0235	Cagliari	20 Jul 1942	0930	Cagliari	456	Patrolled east of La Galite, between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 09°20'E and 09°40'E on a line with Bronzo, Malachite and Dagabur. Uneventful.
13	Febbraro, Giovanni	5 Aug 1942	2110	Cagliari	9 Aug 1942	0630	Cagliari	310	Patrolled north of Tunisian coast between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and between 10°00'E and 10°20'E on a patrol line with Granito. Patrol plagued by engine defects.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	21 Aug 1942	0810	Cagliari	21 Aug 1942	1110	Cagliari	15	Trials.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	24 Aug 1942	1700	Cagliari	25 Aug 1942	1510	La Maddalena	196	Passage Cagliari-La Maddalena.
14	Febbraro, Giovanni	2 Sep 1942	1600	La Maddalena	16 Sep 1942	1235	Cagliari	1318	Patrolled south of Balearic Islands, between 37°30'N and 38°00'N, and between 02°00'E and 02°20'E, on a patrol line with Asteria.
		3 Sep 1942	1144		An unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		3 Sep 1942	1920		An unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		3 Sep 1942	2330		An illuminated vessel was seen and was believed to be French.
		9 Sep 1942	1330 1225 (e)	37° 53'N, 2° 08'E (e) 38° 10'N, 1° 50'E	At 1330 hours, an aircraft, identified as a Saro London bomber, came from the sun and attacked Velella as she was preparing to dive. The aircraft strafed the submarine and dropped six bombs which missed her by 300 to 400 metres. This was in fact Hudson 'G' (FH398) of 233 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer W.E. Willits. It had sighted the submarine at a distance of 20 miles and dived from 3,500 feet. Only four depth charges were dropped and estimated to miss the submarine by 70 yards. Velella managed to dive and escape.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	21 Sep 1942	0800	Cagliari	21 Sep 1942	1455	Cagliari	20	Trials and gyrocompass tests.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	25 Sep 1942	0800	Cagliari	25 Sep 1942	1140	Cagliari	16	Trials.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	14 Oct 1942	0802	Cagliari	14 Oct 1942	1235	Cagliari	19	Trials and exercises.
15	Febbraro, Giovanni	7 Nov 1942	0405	Cagliari	17 Nov 1942	2200	Cagliari	899	Patrolled off Philippeville and Bone between 37°10'N and 37°30'N, and between 07°20'E and 08°00'E. but shortly after it was reached, she was shifted to 37°20'N and Algerian coast, and between 06°20'E and 07°00'E.
		8 Nov 1942	0335	37° 15'N, 7° 51'E	A submarine of the ASTERIA class was sighted but not identified.
		8 Nov 1942	0850		An unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		8 Nov 1942	2145	37° 29'N, 6° 40'E	A submarine was sighted on a westerly course. This was probably Brin.
		9 Nov 1942	0128	37° 27'N, 7° 03'E	A submarine was sighted and Velella turned away. At 0040 hours on the 10th, she explored the anchorage of Philippeville and found no ships.
		10 Nov 1942	0258	37° 00'N, 6° 48'E	A submarine was sighted steering 070°.
		12 Nov 1942	2355		At 2355 hours, the submarine heard H.E. of a submarine believed to be Mocenigo.
		13 Nov 1942	0350	37° 12'N, 7° 01'E	At 0350 hours, two small vessels believed to be MTBs were sighted. Velella dived at 0358 hours. At 0215 hours on the 14th, the submarine closed the entrance of Philippeville but did not see anything
		13 Nov 1942	0425	37° 13'N, 7° 01'E	At 0425 hours, two unknown fast vessels were sighted proceeding eastward. The submarine could not close to attack. At 0920 hours on the 14th, she was ordered to check the Bay of Bougie.
		15 Nov 1942	1815	37° 15'N, 7° 08'E	At 1815 hours, two smokes were observed on the horizon proceeding eastward. The submarine could not catch up with them.
		16 Nov 1942	0443	37° 18'N, 7° 12'E	At 0443 hours, one small vessel was seen proceeding slowly toward the submarine. Five minutes later, Velella dived.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	19 Nov 1942	1625	Cagliari	21 Nov 1942	0002	Naples	248	Passage Cagliari-Naples. Then refit until February 1943.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	14 Feb 1943	0910	Naples	14 Feb 1943	1825	Naples	36	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	19 Feb 1943	0810	Naples	19 Feb 1943	1858	Naples	30	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	26 Feb 1943	0804	Naples	26 Feb 1943	2140	Naples	26	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	2 Mar 1943	1448	Naples	2 Mar 1943	1625	Castellammare di Stabia	12	Passage Naples-Castellammare di Stabia.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	9 Mar 1943	1720	Castellammare di Stabia	9 Mar 1943	1930	Naples	12	Passage Castellammare di Stabia-Naples.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	10 Mar 1943	0030	Naples	11 Mar 1943	0655	La Maddalena.	297	Passage Naples-La Maddalena.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	13 Mar 1943	0826	La Maddalena	13 Mar 1943	1302	La Maddalena	29	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	16 Mar 1943	1300	La Maddalena	16 Mar 1943	1745	La Maddalena	36	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	22 Mar 1943	0906	La Maddalena	22 Mar 1943	1235	La Maddalena	25	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	23 Mar 1943	0900	La Maddalena	23 Mar 1943	1645	La Maddalena	44	Exercises.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	1 Apr 1943	0956	La Maddalena	1 Apr 1943	1318	La Maddalena	12	Exercises.
16	Febbraro, Giovanni	3 Apr 1943	1605	La Maddalena	20 Apr 1943	0948	La Maddalena	1656	Patrolled between 38°40'N and 39°20'N, and between 05°40'E and 06°20'E on a patrol line with Acciaio, Axum and Argo. Uneventful.
		4 Apr 1943	0820		A German aircraft was sighted and recognition signals were exchanged.
	Febbraro, Giovanni	28 May 1943	1450	La Maddalena	28 May 1943	1645	Bonifacio	18	Passage La Maddalena-Bonifacio.
	Patanè, Mario	10 Jun 1943	0555	Bonifacio	10 Jun 1943	0820	La Maddalena	21	Passage Bonifacio-La Maddalena.
	Patanè, Mario	14 Jun 1943	0750	La Maddalena	14 Jun 1943	1150	La Maddalena	11	Exercises.
	Patanè, Mario	16 Jun 1943	0713	La Maddalena	16 Jun 1943	1020	La Maddalena	10,5	Exercises.
	Patanè, Mario	17 Jun 1943	0800	La Maddalena	17 Jun 1943	1320	La Maddalena	17	Exercises.
17	Patanè, Mario	18 Jun 1943	0614	La Maddalena	21 Jun 1943	0850	La Maddalena	673	Sailed for patrol west of Sardinia from 40°18'N, 06°49'E to 34°35'N, 06°10'E (replacing Diaspro), then ordered off Bone between 37°20'N and Algerian coast, and between 05°40'E and 06°20'E, On a patrol line with Bronzo, but then recalled.
		18 Jun 1943	1600	41° 07'N, 8° 09'E	At 1600 hours, an aircraft was seen approaching the submarine head on. Initially, it was mistaken as Italian. At a distance of 4,000 metres the submarine flashed a recognition signal which was not answered. The aircraft then turned to come from the stern and was identified as a Blenheim bomber (it was in fact a B.26 Marauder, one of two on a anti-shipping strike). Velella opened fire with her machine guns at a range of 1,500 metres as the bomber strafed her, making two runs. The submarine suffered only minor damage and the aircraft then flew toward the east.
		21 Jun 1943	0025	41° 03'N, 7° 37'E	At 0025 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted at a distance of 7,000 metres. It appeared to suddenly reverse course and dived.
		21 Jun 1943	0100	41° 04'N, 7° 45'E	At 0100 hours, a submarine was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres on a parallel course. Velella made the recognition signal and was not answered but refrained from attack as Argo was known to be in the area.
	Patanè, Mario	25 Jun 1943	0508	La Maddalena	25 Jun 1943	1230	Ajaccio	71	Passage La Maddalena-Ajaccio.
	Patanè, Mario	29 Jun 1943	0740	Ajaccio	29 Jun 1943	1210	Ajaccio	17,5	Exercises.
	Patanè, Mario	5 Jul 1943	1355	Ajaccio	5 Jul 1943	2010	La Maddalena		Passage Ajaccio-La Maddalena.
18	Patanè, Mario	10 Jul 1943	0240	La Maddalena	13 Jul 1943	0715	Taranto	885	Initially sailed to patrol in zone 172 [between 38°25'N and 38°35'N, and between 12°20'E and 12°40'E], the order was quickly altered and she was sent to zones 82 [between 37°00'N and 37°10'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E] and 83 [between 36°50'N and 37°00'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E] (east coast of Sicily), but a few hours later she was ordered to the northern half of zone 81 to stop the Allied landings ("Z" order). At 2022 hours on the 11th, she was ordered to go to zone 83. At 0525 hours on the 12th, she was ordered to proceed to Taranto for repairs through 39°00'N, 17°40'E and Point A.2, then ordered at 1120 hours on the 12th to 40°14'N, 17°05'E.
		10 Jul 1943	0838	40° 36'N, 10° 22'E	A drifting mine was seen.
		10 Jul 1943	1625	39° 58'N, 12° 10'E	At 1625 hours, an aircraft, believed to be a Blenheim bomber, was seen at a distance of 1,500 metres. It appeared to try making a stern attack but altered away at 800 meters as Velella opened fire with her machine guns.
		11 Jul 1943	1225	38° 09'N, 15° 34'E (0) 210° - Cape Peloro - 7 miles	A periscope was sighted at 1,500 metres and range was closed to 400 metres. Velella took avoiding action and made an enemy report. This was probably HMS Ultor.
		11 Jul 1943	1225	(0) 210° - Cape Peloro - 7 miles.	At 1225 hours, a periscope was sighted at 1,500 metres. Velella took avoiding action and made an enemy report at 1242 hours.
		11 Jul 1943	2045	38° 15'N, 15° 30'E (0) Approximately.	At 2045 hours, Velella was proceeding at a depth of 30 metres, when two very close explosions were heard . The submarine was undamaged and went down to 40-50 metres. Another pattern of depth-charges was heard at 2055 hours and the submarine went deeper to 100-120 meters. The A/S hunt went on until 0043 hours on the 13th. When she later surfaced,Velella appeared to have been leaking oil and the decision was made to abort the mission.
		12 Jul 1943	0335		At 0335 hours, a submarine was sighted at 1,200 metres and Velella turned away.
		12 Jul 1943	1735	38° 44'N, 17° 26'E	At 1735 hours, five survivors of a Savoia 79 torpedo bomber (41 Gruppo) were rescued.
19	Patanè, Mario	20 Jul 1943	2110	Taranto	2 Aug 1943	0834	La Maddalena	?	Patrolled off Syracuse and Augusta ("Z" order) between 36°30'N and 36°50'N, 15°07'E and 15°50'E.
		23 Jul 1943	1416-1615	36° 50'N, 15° 55'E	From 1416 to 1615 hours, Velella was depth charged by two corvettes but escaped damage.
		23 Jul 1943	2214	36° 47'N, 15° 55'E	At 2214 hours, an aircraft dropped flares over Velella and she dived.
		24 Jul 1943	0155	36° 41'N, 15° 44'E	An unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		24 Jul 1943	0326 0200Z approx. (e)	36° 45'N, 15° 25'E (e) 36° 48'N, 16° 23'E	The submarine sighted three flares at about 2,500 metres and dived. This was Hudson HZ.114 of 221 Squadron (Flying Officer E. Austin) which had detected a surfaced submarine, but the attack failed as "moonpath was insufficient".
		26 Jul 1943	1835-2025	36° 04'N, 16° 00'E	The submarine was hunted by two MGBs from 1835 to 2113 hours and reported that 90 depth-charges were dropped. Some explosions were very close to the submarine and later, it was realised that she was leaking fuel.
		26 Jul 1943	2220	35° 45'N, 16° 08'E	At 2150 hours, Velella surfaced. Half an hour later a corvette was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres and she had to submerge again.
		29 Jul 1943	2055	36° 03'N, 13° 12'E	An lluminated hospital ship was observed at a distance of 6-7,000 metres.
		30 Jul 1943	0230 0230B (e)	36° 10'N, 12° 28'E (e) 36° 40'N, 12° 28'E	At 0230 hours, Velella observed a Very light a some distance ahead and closed to attack. Two rounds fell near the submarine, which had to crash-dive to 80 metres. This was a convoy consisting of USS LST-307, USS LST-325, USS LST-335, USS LST-337, USS LST-338 and USS LST-400) escorted by USS PC-624 (Lt. Cdr. R.D. Lowther, USNR) and a disabled submarine chaser. They had sailed from Licata (Sicily) at 1530 hours on the 29th for Tunis carrying 1,700 PoWs. Earlier, Lowther had complained that his gyrocompass was unreliable. PC-624 had sighted the U-boat at 0205B hours and rushed to the attack. Lowther claimed the submarine had fired a torpedo before diving, but this is not confirmed by her patrol report. The submarine chaser now dropped five depth charges forcing the submarine and claimed it sunk. For a long time, PC-624 was attributed the loss of U-375, which disappeared with all hands at that time. The German submarine was probably mined in the Gela area. The convoy reached Tunis at 1630 hours on the 30th without further incident.
		1 Aug 1943	1030	39° 10'N, 10° 46'E	The submarine was shaken by a bomb while proceeding at a depth of 60 meters. When she later surfaced, it was realised she was leaking fuel .
		2 Aug 1943	0103	40° 33'N, 10° 13'E	The submarine was illuminated by an aircraft (apparently using a Leigh light) and dived. The submarine later surfaced and it was realised that she was leaking fuel.
		2 Aug 1943	0210	40° 33'N, 10° 08'E	Flares were sighted at about 4,000 metres and Velella prudently dived.
	Patanè, Mario	20 Aug 1943	0717	La Maddalena	20 Aug 1943	1201	La Maddalena		Exercises.
	Patanè, Mario	28 Aug 1943	0350	La Maddalena	28 Aug 1943	1025	Ajaccio		Passage La Maddalena-Ajaccio.
	Patanè, Mario	29 Aug 1943	1910	Ajaccio	31 Aug 1943	0900	Naples		Passage Ajaccio-Naples.
20	Patanè, Mario	7 Sep 1943	1500	Naples	7 Sep 1943	2000	Sunk with all hands		Sailed to attack allied landings in Salerno. Torpedoed and sunk by HMS Shakespeare on 7th September off Punta Licosa, in 40°15'N, 14°30'E. No survivors, six officers and forty-six ratings killed.
		7 Sep 1943	2003 (e)	(e) 40° 15'N, 14° 30'E	At 1953 hours, HMS Shakespeare was patrolling off Licosa, when the ASDIC revealed the presence of two U-boats. At 2003 hours, they were observed to be steering 135° at 10 knots and the British submarine fired a salvo of six torpedoes from a distance of 1,200 yards, claiming four hits. These were Velella and Brin and the latter observed her unfortunate companion disintegrated after three explosions. Velella had left Naples at 1500 hours on 7th September for a patrol off Salerno. There were no survivors, six officers and forty-six ratings were killed. The loss was particularly tragic as in a few hours the Italian Armistice would come into effect.

140 entries. 87 total patrol entries (20 marked as war patrols) and 71 events.

All Italian submarines

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