Italian submarines in World War Two


Mocenigo (MO, I.19)
Mocenigo

TypeOcean going 
ClassMarcello (12) 
Laid down 19 Jan 1937 Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone
Launched20 Nov 1937
Commissioned14 Aug 1938
End service
Stricken
Loss date13 May 1943
Loss position39° 12'N, 9° 07'E
History Sunk at Cagliari on 13th May 1943 by aircraft bombs from USAAF aircraft.
Fate

Commands


CommanderDate fromDate toCommand notes
C.C. Michele Asnasch1 Feb 194016 Jun 1940
C.C. Vittorio Carminati17 Jun 194016 Sep 1940
C.F. Alberto Ginocchio16 Sep 194025 Oct 1940
C.C. Alberto Agostini25 Oct 19404 Sep 1941
T.V. Filippo Flores5 Sep 194121 Sep 1941
T.V. Massimiliano Iasiello22 Sep 194131 Oct 1941
T.V. Paolo Monechi1 Nov 194123 Jun 1942
S.T.V. Renato Troiani24 Jun 194214 Jul 1942
T.V. Alberto Longhi15 Jul 194213 May 1943

Ships hit


DateCommanderShip hitTypeGRTNat.Loss type
1.21 Dec 1940C.C. Alberto AgostiniMangen Cargo ship1,253SwedishSunk
2.14 Mar 1942C.C. Paolo MonechiSainte MarcelleCargo ship1,518Vichy FrenchSunk
3.14 Dec 1942T.V. Alberto LonghiHMS ArgonautLight cruiser5,450BritishDamaged

Patrols and events

 CommanderDateTimePortArr. dateArr. timeArr. portMilesDescription
1Asnasch, Michele9 Jun 19401410La Spezia14 Jun 19400730La Spezia?Patrolled off Capo dell'Arma in 43°42'N, 08°14'E (near San Remo), on a patrol line with Fieramosca and Gondar. Sighted several submarines, in some instances probably Fieramosca and Gondar in adjacent areas or could not determine their identity to carry out an attack.

2Carminati, Vittorio17 Jun 19401800La Spezia29 Jun 19402240La Spezia?Patrolled in area between 42°00'N and 42°40'N, and between 03°20'E and 04°00'E, between Cape Croisette and Cape Creus (Spain).
  20 Jun 19400345
(0) Off Cape Creus (Spain).
At 1339 hours, at a distance of 4,000 metres, Mocenigo sighted a convoy of sixteen ships in two columns distant between them of about 2,000 metres and escorted by six torpedo boats of the AVENTURIER (sic, LA MELPOMÈNE?) class. At 1558 hours, the submarine had closed to about 1,500 metres and was ready to fire torpedoes, when two torpedo boats rushed toward her. C.C. Carminati avoided them by going deep.
  25 Jun 1940034542° 19'N, 3° 19'EAt 0345 hours, a 4,000-ton steamer was sighted at 2,000 metres proceeding on a 180° course at 13 knots. The order was given to fire a torpedo (533mm) from a bow tube but, due to an error in drill, it was not executed. The attack was not renewed.

Carminati, Vittorio6 Jul 19401518La Spezia6 Jul 19401600La Spezia1Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio8 Jul 19401140La Spezia8 Jul 19401220La Spezia1Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio9 Jul 19401233La Spezia9 Jul 19401950La Spezia67,5Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio12 Jul 19400715La Spezia12 Jul 19400840La Spezia9Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio15 Jul 19400800La Spezia15 Jul 19401800La Spezia92Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio19 Jul 19400556La Spezia19 Jul 19401615La Spezia87Exercises.

3Carminati, Vittorio22 Jul 19402203La Spezia9 Aug 19400700La Spezia1672Patrolled east of Gibraltar, between meridian of Cape de Gata, Cape Palos and Cape Ivi, between Spanish coast and North African coast.

Carminati, Vittorio20 Aug 19401400La Spezia20 Aug 19401450La Spezia0,8Changed moorings?

Carminati, Vittorio29 Aug 19400905La Spezia29 Aug 19401555La Spezia50Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio31 Aug 19400900La Spezia31 Aug 19401200La Spezia26Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio3 Sep 19400825La Spezia3 Sep 19401225La Spezia21Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio4 Sep 19400854La Spezia4 Sep 19401440La Spezia1Exercises?

Carminati, Vittorio5 Sep 19401354La Spezia5 Sep 19401730La Spezia27Exercises.

Carminati, Vittorio12 Sep 19400901La Spezia12 Sep 19401440La Spezia0,9Changed moorings?

Carminati, Vittorio14 Sep 19400830La Spezia14 Sep 19401130La Spezia25Exercises.

Ginocchio, Alberto19 Oct 19400800La Spezia19 Oct 19401700La Spezia53Exercises.

Ginocchio, Alberto21 Oct 19400826La Spezia21 Oct 19401655La Spezia49,5Exercises.

Ginocchio, Alberto22 Oct 19401522La Spezia22 Oct 19401552La Spezia0,5Changed moorings?

Ginocchio, Alberto24 Oct 19400748La Spezia24 Oct 19401130La Spezia26,4Exercises.

Ginocchio, Alberto25 Oct 19401630La Spezia25 Oct 19401645La Spezia0,1Changed moorings?

Agostini, Alberto15 Nov 19401255La Spezia15 Nov 19401805La Spezia31Exercises.

Agostini, Alberto16 Nov 19401130La Spezia16 Nov 19401200La Spezia0,8Changed moorings?

Agostini, Alberto19 Nov 19401125La Spezia19 Nov 19401203La Spezia0,8Changed moorings?

Agostini, Alberto20 Nov 19401104La Spezia20 Nov 19401730La Spezia29,7Exercises.

Agostini, Alberto22 Nov 19400828La Spezia22 Nov 19401430La Spezia0,6Tests?

4Agostini, Alberto24 Nov 19400730La Spezia26 Dec 19401735Bordeaux4220Passage to Bordeaux. Passed Gibraltar on 30th November 1940. Patrolled between 41°00'N and 42°00'N (later extended to 40°00'N), and between 20°00'W and 28°00'W. Suffered from bad weather, four men were lost overboard. Sighted several times Spanish and Portuguese ships. Then refit until the end of February 1941.
  2 Dec 19400936
0950 (e)

(e) 36° 05'N, 9° 50'W
(0) 36.02N, 09.42W.
At 0936 hours, Mocenigo sighted a destroyer at 9-10,000 metres and altered course to attack. At 0954 hours, the destroyer apparently had also discovered the submarine and turned toward her. Mocenigo crash dived to 100 metres. The destroyer dropped four depth-charges at 1000 hours, two at 1006, three at 1014, eleven at 1018, fourteen at 1025, three at 1031 and three more at 1037 hours, but the submarine escaped damage. This was HMS Kelvin which was escorting the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign together with HMS Jaguar. The submarine had been sighted by the battleship at a range of 8 miles.
  21 Dec 19402209
2117 (e)
40° 45'N, 16° 50'W
(e) 40° 47'N, 16° 47'W
At 1215 hours, Mocenigo sighted smokes on the horizon at a distance of 20-25,000 metres. It appeared to be eight or nine steamers steering 150° at 7-8 knots. The submarine assumed a parallel course maintaining herself at the limit of visibility, with the intention of closing to the attack after dark. At 1430 hours, a destroyer was observed slightly closer, but frequent rain squalls made it difficult to maintain an adequate distance and contact was occasionally lost. At 2200 hours, contact was regained at a distance of 4,000 metres.

At 2209 hours, two torpedoes (the first 533mm and the second 450mm) were fired in short succession from the bow tubes at one of three large steamers at distance of 600 metres. This was followed very quickly by two more torpedoes (533mm) aimed at a second steamer. A tall column of water appeared next to the first target, and a small explosion on the second target led Agostini to believe that both vessels had been hit.

At 2214 hours, Mocenigo had reverted course to fire two stern torpedoes (533mm) from a distance of 600-700 metres, each aimed at two steamers following the first trio. The first was hit and was capsizing. Agostini intended to fire another torpedo at an escort, but the warship opened fire, forcing the submarine to crash dive. Mocenigo had reached a depth of 60 metres when she was shaken by the explosions of two or three depth charges. She finally reached a depth of 95 metres when the electric motors were stopped.

In all, Agostini claimed to have sunk two steamers for a total of 19,000 GRT and damaged a third vessel of 8,000 GRT.

In fact, he had hit and sunk only one steamer, the Swedish Mangen (1,253 GRT, built 1934) from convoy O.G.47 (Liverpool to Gibraltar). Her crew had observed a torpedo to pass under her at 2114 hours but at 2117 hours another torpedo hit her squarely and she sank in 3 minutes. Eight men were killed, her survivors were picked up by the Swedish steamer Garm (1,231 GRT, built 1912). The escorting sloop HMS Leith reported that she had fired star shells but had been unable to detect the U-boat.
  22 Dec 19401703
1540 BST (e)
41° 10'N, 14° 44'W
(e) 41° 18'N, 15° 14'W
At 1550 hours, at a distance of 10-11,000 metres, Mocenigo sighted a 3,000-ton steamer proceeding on a 120-130° course at 7-8 knots. Having closed to 5-6,000 metres, the submarine fired a warning shot, but the vessel did not stop and kept on her original course. At 1705 hours, the submarine opened fire at a range of 4-5,000 metres. The vessel turned away to port and opened fire with her stern gun. After three rounds, the submarine's forward gun had to stop firing as the heavy seas made it very difficult to man and her course prevented the aft gun to bear. The enemy's fire was becoming more accurate and at a distance of 4,500 metres, C.C. Agostini decided to break off the action and submerge.

As the order was given, an enemy round hit the conning tower. The shock brought the hatch down and it could not be properly opened, but water seeped through it. The control room was filled with a yellow smoke. Agostini and the men on the bridge were in a precarious position. They could not enter the submarine or communicate with the personnel in the control room, as the shell had severed the interphone cable. A wave carried two ratings and they disppeared. Inside the submarine, it was realised that something had gone wrong and very quickly the diving order was countermanded.

Although Mocenigo had turned away using her electric motors, she was still under fire from the enemy vessel and the rounds were falling very close. One hit the conning tower in the upper kitchen area (used to cook pasta when surfaced), another exploded very close to the hull, peppering the conning tower with fragments. The submarine replied with her stern and machine guns, claiming one or two hits, but another wave carried away two ratings. In the meantime, the forward hatch had been opened, Agostini had managed to pass the order to get the diesels underway at full speed and the submarine finally pulled away.

The target had been the British Sarastone (2,473 GRT, built 1929) , on passage from Barry Docks to Gibraltar she was carrying 4,060 tons of coal and was a straggler of convoy O.G.47 due to boiler defects. She had replied with a 12-pdr gun (twenty-three rounds fired, and had only seven left after the action) when the range closed to 2,000 yds and then with a machine-gun. She was undamaged and escaped. Mocenigo's troubles were not over. A wave closed the forward hatch, forcing the diesels to temporarily shut down, but efforts finally managed to get the conning tower hatch opened, the interphone cable repaired and communications with the bridge finally re-established. A search was now made out for the four missing men but only one body was recovered. The mood in the submarine was somber as prayers for the dead men were read in the dark by the First Officer. The submarine returned to Bordeaux.

Agostini, Alberto1 Mar 19410835Bordeaux1 Mar 19411220Le Verdon60Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

Agostini, Alberto2 Mar 19410800Le Verdon2 Mar 19411626La Pallice68Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice escorted by the German patrol boats V-406, V-412 and V-1607 and trials at le Pertuis d'Antioche.

Agostini, Alberto3 Mar 19411105La Pallice3 Mar 19411805La Pallice29Trials at le Pertuis d'Antioche.

Agostini, Alberto4 Mar 19410940La Pallice4 Mar 19411130La Pallice0,2Tests?

5Agostini, Alberto5 Mar 19411850La Pallice26 Mar 19411907Bordeaux3605Sailed for Atlantic patrol between 53°00'N and 54°00'N and between 21°00'W and 25°00'W. Sighted only two fishing vessels on 6th March (probably French) and the submarine Emo on her return passage.
  9 Mar 1941010048° 37'N, 13° 14'WAt 0100 hours, Mocenigo was informed that, at 1300 hours on the 8th, an aircraft had sighted a large convoy in Italian Grid 5689/42, course 250°, 7 knots. The submarine altered course to intercept Heavy seas prevented her from going more than 6 knots but, by morning she managed to increase speed to 10 knots and was trying to intercept on longitude 31°00' W. At 0504 hours the next day, Mocenigo [when in 51°00' N, 18°42' W] received a signal from Emo, indicating that an aircraft carrier with destroyers were sighted in Grid 3212, steering 210°, 15 knots. Agostini decided to abandon the chase.
  19 Mar 1941115553° 20'N, 24° 18'WAt 1155 hours, Mocenigo received a signal indicating that a convoy of 20-30 ships had been seen at 0845 hours on the 19th in 55°05' N, 12°35' W (Italian Grid 4031/14) course 240°, 7 knots. The submarine altered course to 100° at 12 knots to intercept. At 1310 hours on the 19th [when in 53°25' N, 24°27' W], another signal reported a German U-boat in contact at 1100 hours with a convoy of 25 vessels in Grid 0607/44 (54°35' N, ?°35 W) steering 230°, 8 knots and the submarine altered course to 105°.

At 1905 hours on the 19th [Mocenigo was now in 53°14' N, 22°30' W], another signal now indicated a convoy of 20-30 ships at 1730 hours on the 19th in 54°25' N, 15°05' W (Grid 0645/13) steering 260°, 8 knots. Agostini decided to intercept the convoy signaled at 1100 hours on the 19th. However, as of 1029 hours on the 20th, nothing had been sighted.
  21 Mar 1941150553° 52'N, 19° 25'WMocenigo was informed that a convoy had been seen at 1400 hours on the 21st in 51°55' N, 21°15' W (Italian Grid 2750/62) course 070°, 7 knots. The submarine altered course to 160° at 10 knots, to intercept the enemy 20 miles ahead. Agostini did not increase to 12 knots, as at this speed fuel consumption was twice that of 10 knots. At 2105 hours on the 21st (Mocenigo was then in 53°05' N, 18°05' W), she received a signal of a convoy at 1845 hours in 51°45 N, 19°45 W (Grid 2712/55), course 090°, 8 knots. Once again she altered course to 125°, but sighted nothing.
  24 Mar 1941151046° 13'N, 7° 45'WAn unidentified aircraft was sighted at 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.

Agostini, Alberto16 May 19410915Bordeaux16 May 19411500Bordeaux1Demagnetization.

Agostini, Alberto19 May 19411340Bordeaux19 May 19411808Le Verdon52Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

Agostini, Alberto20 May 19410610Le Verdon20 May 19410925Le VerdonTrials off Le Verdon.

Agostini, Alberto20 May 19411000Le Verdon20 May 19412100La Pallice103Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice and trials at Le Pertuis d'Antioche [mileage is forth both sorties of the day].

6Agostini, Alberto20 May 19411340La Pallice13 Jun 19411150Pauillac4959,6Patrolled in zone centred on 34°15'N, 08°15'W.
  24 May 19411235
1324 (e)
41° 06'N, 10° 42'W
(e) 41° 04'N, 11° 12'W
At 1235 hours, a submarine was observed at a distance of 10-15 miles. Mocenigo turned away and made a recognition signal, but was it was not answered. At first, the other submarine appeared to move away but then returned to follow Mocenigo. At 1429 hours, Agostini decided to make a submerged attack as heavy seas precluded a gun duel. At periscope depth, the enemy submarine could not be seen and Agostini assumed she had also dived. Nothing could be heard with the hydrophones and at 1537 hours, the Italian submarine surfaced and resumed passage.

The other submarine was HMS Pandora (Lt. Cdr. J.W. Linton), on passage from Gibraltar to Portsmouth. She had sighted the Italian submarine at a range of 7 miles, had not replied to her signals and fired off two 4-inch rounds at 12,000 yards (they must have fallen wide as they do not appear to have been observed by Mocenigo).
  26 May 1941210034° 05'N, 8° 32'WAt 2100 hours, two fishing vessels were observed but left undisturbed.
  27 May 1941081734° 25'N, 8° 34'WAt 0817 hours, a 2,000-ton vessel was sighted at 10-15,000 metres. Mocenigo closed to 800 metres and then identified her as Spanish. The attack was aborted.
  27 May 1941164234° 11'N, 8° 19'WAt 1642 hours, a smoke was sighted on the horizon and later identified as a 3,000-ton Spanish vessel, proceeding on a 210° course at 7 knots. She was left undisturbed. During the following days, several Spanish or Portuguese vessels were sighted.
  30 May 19410442
0357 (e)
35° 24'N, 8° 21'W
(e) 35° 28'N, 8° 11'E
At 1918 hours on 29th May, Mocenigo altered course after being informed by BETASOM that at 1600 hours Argo was in contact with a convoy of ten ships escorted by a destroyer in 35°55' N, 06°55' W, steering 240°, 8 knots. At 0023 hours, Argo signaled that she had lost contact and an hour later Mocenigo had still failed to find anything but at 0440 hours, in 35°24' N, 08°21' W, a tanker was observed at a distance of 1,500 metres, steering of about 040°. Two minutes later, a torpedo was fired from tube no. 3. It left a very luminous track, but missed ahead.

In the meantime, the submarine had reverted course and fired a stern shot, but it also missed and, once again she reverted course. At 0456 hours, a torpedo was fired from tube no. 1. It had an irregular course and also missed. Six minutes later, the submarine fired successively torpedoes from tubes no. 4 and no. 2 and heard two loud explosions. Mocenigo moved away but with the intention of renewing the attack. However, she lost contact. The tanker was British Yeoman (6,990 GRT, built 1923). She had initially reported being torpedoed but she arrived at Gibraltar with only slight damage (from what?). The destroyers HMS Forester and HMS Fury and four motor launches were sent to hunt the submarine but without success.
  7 Jun 1941120033° 10'N, 15° 56'W
(0) Italian Grid 3915/26.
At 1200 hours, the submarine Brin was encountered and there was a vocal exchange. She had not sighted the convoy and proposed to search for it on 180° course, while Mocenigo would do the same on a 360° course. At 1615 hours nothing was sighted and the chase was abandoned.

Agostini, Alberto13 Jun 19411820Pauillac13 Jun 19412140BordeauxPassage Pauillac-Bordeaux.

Agostini, Alberto29 Jun 19411040Bordeaux29 Jun 19411100Bordeaux0,2Changed moorings.

Agostini, Alberto24 Jul 19410930Bordeaux24 Jul 19411250Bordeaux1Trials.

7Agostini, Alberto10 Aug 19410902Bordeaux12 Aug 19412040Bordeaux575,5Sailed for La Spezia, but turned back because of defects.

Agostini, Alberto14 Aug 19411000Bordeaux14 Aug 19411432Bordeaux45Exercises.

Agostini, Alberto16 Aug 19411426Bordeaux16 Aug 19411756Le VerdonPassage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.

8Agostini, Alberto16 Aug 19411947Le Verdon28 Aug 19411018La Spezia2319Sailed with Otaria for passage Le Verdon-La Spezia. Passed Gibraltar on 23rd August 1941. Uneventful.

Agostini, Alberto1 Sep 19410813Le Verdon1 Sep 19410822La Spezia0,1Changed moorings.

Flores, Filippo18 Sep 19411120La Spezia18 Sep 19411200La Spezia0,3Changed moorings.

Flores, Filippo18 Sep 19411530La Spezia18 Sep 19411600La Spezia0,3Changed moorings.

Iasiello, Massimiliano27 Oct 19410820La Spezia27 Oct 19411750La Spezia70Exercises with the submarine Acciaio, escorted by MAS 570.

Monechi, Paolo2 Nov 19410810La Spezia2 Nov 19411745La Spezia68Exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Torre Annunziata.

Monechi, Paolo7 Nov 19410745La Spezia7 Nov 19411700La Spezia61,2Exercises, escorted by MAS 570.

Monechi, Paolo8 Nov 19410810La Spezia8 Nov 19411538La Spezia26Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo10 Nov 19410813La Spezia10 Nov 19411500La Spezia15Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo11 Nov 19411650La Spezia11 Nov 19411740La Spezia1Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo12 Nov 19410917La Spezia12 Nov 19411250La Spezia6Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo14 Nov 19410935La Spezia14 Nov 19411010La Spezia1Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo16 Nov 19410750La Spezia16 Nov 19411435La Spezia36Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo17 Nov 19410800La Spezia17 Nov 19411220La Spezia28Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo18 Nov 19410800La Spezia18 Nov 19411200La Spezia29Exercises with the submarines Colonna and Acciaio, escorted by the auxiliaries Crotone, Santantioco and Capodistria.

Monechi, Paolo20 Nov 19412210La Spezia22 Nov 19410845Naples340Passage La Spezia-Naples.

Monechi, Paolo26 Nov 19410900Naples26 Nov 19411640Naples40Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo29 Nov 19410925Naples29 Nov 19411645Naples45Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo4 Dec 19411605Naples6 Dec 19410930Taranto510Passage Naples-Taranto with Veniero. They were to proceed on the surface at 12 knots via Caqe Palinuro (2345/4), Cape Suvero (0630/5), Cape Peloro (1030/5), Cape Colonne (2330/5) and point M.2 (Taranto) (0800/6).

9Monechi, Paolo11 Dec 19411115Taranto17 Dec 19411800BardiaSupply mission to Bardia and Benghazi (59 tons of fuel, 15 tons of food supplies) (part 1). Two attempts to enter Bardia on 15th and 16th December 1941 failed because of bad weather.
  12 Dec 19411240
1249B (e)
37° 13'N, 19° 21'E
(e) 37° 26'N, 19° 17'E
At 1240 hours, an aircraft was sighted at a distance of 3,500 metres. Mocenigo made a recognition signal but was not answered. As the aircraft appeared to be threatening, the submarine fired two rounds from her stern gun to keep it a t bay and it flew away. This was a Malta-based Maryland of 69 Squadron on a reconnaissance mission (Flying Officer Drew).

9bMonechi, Paolo17 Dec 19412115Bardia21 Dec 19410915BenghaziSupply mission to Bardia and Benghazi (59 tons of fuel, 15 tons of food supplies) (part 2).
  18 Dec 1941111733° 28'N, 24° 42'EAt 1117 hours, Mocenigo sighted three destroyers, steering 020° at over 25 knots, from a distance of 14,000 metres but was unable to close for an attack.

9cMonechi, Paolo21 Dec 19411857Benghazi23 Dec 19411825BardiaSupply mission to Bardia (15 tons of food supplies). Uneventful.

9dMonechi, Paolo23 Dec 19412110Bardia27 Dec 19410820SudaReturn trip from supply mission to Bardia and Benghazi. Brought back a wounded captain, a sub lieutenant, fifteen sailors and ten PoWs.
  24 Dec 19411030
1034B (e)

(e) 33° 32'N, 24° 58'E
At 1030 hours, a bomber was sighted and Mocenigo dived immediately. The submarine had reached a depth of 40 metres when three small bombs were heard to explode near by. This was Blenheim 'P' of 203 Squadron (Pilot Officer Wintle) carrying out a "Trident" patrol and had sighted a surfaced submarine steering 240° at 8 knots. The bomber circled it twice, giving it a chance to identify itself, but the submarine began crash diving when the Blenheim was completing its second circuit, without making any recognition signal.

The aircraft made a dive attack from 1,500 feet, pulling out at 500 feet and releasing four 250lb A/S bombs in a salvo. They fell within an area of 20 yards and the gunner saw them all explode just to the port side of the U-boat which was just submerged but still visible under the water. The aircraft circled the position and, after 30 seconds, a 40 yards square patch of dark brown oil appeared . In fact, Mocenigo had escaped unscathed. The submarines HMS Thunderbolt and HMS Proteus, who were in the general area, were informed of the presence of this submarine but did not make contact.
  27 Dec 1941221635° 46'N, 23° 49'EAt 2216 hours, Mocenigo sighted a Spanish vessel which had left Suda and shortly after a submarine of the VENIERO class on opposite course.

9eMonechi, Paolo27 Dec 19411700Suda31 Dec 19411525Taranto2592,07Return trip from supply mission to Bardia and Benghazi.
  27 Dec 1941221635° 46'N, 23° 49'EAt 2216 hours, Mocenigo sighted a Spanish vessel which had left Suda and shortly after a submarine of the VENIERO class on opposite course.
  31 Dec 1941024739° 12'N, 18° 20'EAt 0247 hours, a submarine of the CAGNI class was seen on a parallel course at a distance of 1,200 metres. It was not identified but was probably Dandolo.

Monechi, Paolo5 Jan 19421005Taranto5 Jan 19421045Taranto0,5Docked.

Monechi, Paolo12 Jan 19421215Taranto12 Jan 19421335Taranto0,5Left dock.

Monechi, Paolo27 Jan 19421113Taranto27 Jan 19421740Taranto30,5Trials.

Monechi, Paolo30 Jan 19421130Taranto30 Jan 19421150Taranto0,2Changed moorings.

Monechi, Paolo4 Feb 19421046Taranto4 Feb 19421135Taranto4Changed moorings.

10Monechi, Paolo9 Feb 19421007Taranto11 Feb 19421321Taranto371Sailed for patrol within 8 miles of 33°30'N, 20°40'E, on a patrol line with Dandolo, but early return because of defects.

Monechi, Paolo14 Feb 19421120Taranto14 Feb 19421530Taranto33,5Trials.

11Monechi, Paolo14 Feb 19421725Taranto27 Feb 19421405Cagliari1832,8Sailed for a patrol in area between 36°00'N and 36°20'N and 15°20'E and 15°40'E. On 21st February, her patrol was shifted to an area between 36°40' N and 37°00' N and between 15°20' E and 15°40' E (patrolled southeast of Malta and southeast of Cape Passero).
  18 Feb 1942121235° 33'N, 15° 36'EAt 1212 hours, two aircraft were sighted at 10,000 metres and Mocenigo dived. Shortly after, three explosions were heard.
  25 Feb 19420845At 0845 hours, the submarine Serpente was sighted.
  25 Feb 19422058At 2058 hours, an Italian steamer escorted by a destroyer were sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres. Recognition signals were exchanged. Marina Messina had informed Mocenigo of a possible encounter.

Monechi, Paolo11 Mar 19420705Taranto11 Mar 19421215Taranto37,8Exercises.

Monechi, Paolo13 Mar 19420703Taranto13 Mar 19421145Taranto31,3Exercises, escorted by MAS 503.

12Monechi, Paolo13 Mar 19421856Cagliari3 Apr 19421455Cagliari2878Patrolled north of Cape Falcon, in area between 36°00'N and 36°40'N and 00°40'E and 01°40'E.
  14 Mar 19422056
1955 (e)
37° 16'N, 5° 05'E
(0) 325° - Cape Carbon - 30 miles (French source).
At 1530 hours, a 5,000-ton tanker was observed zigzagging steering between 50 and 140°. The vessel appeared to leave the route assigned to French traffic. At 2056 hours, a stern torpedo (450mm) was fired from a distance of 1,500 metres. It hit the vessel on the port side. The tanker took a list before sinking very quickly. This as the Vichy French Sainte Marcelle (ex-Norwegian Vigoer, 1518 GRT, built 1935, she had been seized at Casablanca in June 1940) who had sailed from Marseilles for Tunis on 7th March. She carried 1,400 tons of stores for Axis forces in Libya. There were two men killed, and twenty-seven survivors. Following this mistake, the Pétain government stopped its adherence to the "Paris Protocols" which included the supply of trucks and other goods to Axis forces in North Africa.
  20 Mar 19421533
1440 (e)
36° 30'N, 1° 23'W
(e) 36° 33'N, 1° 26'W
At 1350 hours, Mocenigo heard distant turbine noises but the periscope revealed nothing. At 1510 hours, the periscope finally revealed a number of vessels proceeding on a 040° course at 20-22 knots. These were identified as two aircraft carriers (type EAGLE and ARGUS), a battleship, a cruiser and ten or twelve destroyers. The submarine moved to intercept and had reached a distance of 2,500 metres, when a first attack was thwarted by the sudden appearance of two destroyers. They had not been noticed earlier and forced the submarine to a depth of 15 metres, to avoid being rammed.

The aircraft carrier, identified as HMS Eagle, passed very near the submarine before action could be taken. She was now presenting her stern at a distance of 800 metres while HMS Argus and the battleship were turning to port. Monechi decided to fire a stern salvo of three torpedoes at Eagle and immediately took his submarine deep, as two destroyers had appeared to have discovered him, and were moving to the attack. He had reached a depth of 45 metres when an explosion was heard 3 minutes after firing, followed 2 minutes later by two more. The submarine reached a depth of 75 metres, but was not depth charged.

These were indeed the aircraft carriers HMS Eagle and HMS Argus, the battleship HMS Malaya, the light cruiser HMS Hermione and nine destroyers (these were the fleet destroyers HMS Laforey, HMS Duncan, HMS Active, HMS Anthony, HMS Wishart, HMS Whitehall and the escort destroyers HMS Blankney, HMS Croome and HMS Exmoor) on their way to carry out operation PICKET, phase 1. None of the torpedoes hit. HMS Eagle observed an explosion believed to be a torpedo at the end of its run.

Monechi, Paolo5 Apr 19420930Cagliari5 Apr 19421015Cagliari0,7Changed moorings.

13Monechi, Paolo20 Apr 19421610Cagliari20 Apr 19421753Cagliari9,2Sailed for patrol between 37°20'N and 37°40'N and 09°20'E and 09°40'E to operate against an enemy force but quickly recalled.

14Monechi, Paolo29 Apr 19421155Cagliari20 May 19420832Cagliari2629,7Sailed for a patrol between 37°40'N and 38°20'N and 01°20'E and 01°40'E. On 30th April 1942, she was ordered to shift her patrol to 37°20'N and 38°00'N and between 02°00'E and 02°20'E. On 16th May, she was ordered off Cape Ténès.
  2 May 1942074037° 03'N, 0° 15'EAt 0740 hours, a German submarine was encountered and recognition signals exchanged. She was proceeding to the assistance of U-573 (KL Heinrich Heinsohn), who was reported in difficulty after an air attack in Quadrat CH 8218 or 37°15' N, 00°42' E. This was almost certainly U-74 (OL Karl Friedrich) who signalled at 1052 hours that she was in Quadrat CH 8137 (37°15' N, 00°10' E). Eventually, U-573 managed to reach Cartagena where she was interned, but U-74 was sunk later that day.
  2 May 1942143437° 00'N, 0° 08'EAt 1434 hours, the submarine sighted a destroyer at a distance of 16,000 metres.
  9 May 1942091237° 41'N, 2° 18'EAt 1434 hours, the submarine sighted from a distance of 13,000 metres a destroyer proceeding at 24 knots.
  18 May 19420826
0828 (e)
37° 05'N, 1° 03'E
(e) 37° 07'N, 1° 05'E
At 0811 hours, an enemy formation was observed through the periscope, proceeding on a 050° course at a distance of 8-9,000 metres. It was identified as HMS Eagle, HMS Argus, a cruiser and several destroyers. Mocenigo closed to 2,000 metres and attempted an attack on Eagle but could not get a suitable track angle.

At 0826 hours, Monechi gave the order to fire three stern torpedoes (533mm) at the cruiser from a distance of 1,200 metres and heard two hits after 90 seconds. Several depth charges followed. These were indeed the aircraft carriers HMS Eagle and HMS Argus, the light cruiser HMS Charybdis screened by screened by the destroyers HMS Westcott, HMS Antelope, HMS Wrestler, HMS Wishart, HMS Partridge and HMS Ithuriel carrying operation L.B. (flying off Spitfires to Malta). HMS Charybdis reported missed by two or three torpedoes (also sighted by HMS Partridge) and dropped three depth-charges. Partridge hunted the submarine dropping 24 depth charges. The submarine was badly shaken and went down to 96 metres. The damages forced her to abandon her patrol.

Monechi, Paolo2 Jun 19420925Cagliari3 Jun 19420825Naples275,3Passage Cagliari-Naples.

Troiani, Renato24 Jun 1942Naples14 Jul 1942NaplesRefit in Naples. Change in command.

Longhi, Alberto8 Aug 19420852Naples8 Aug 19421637Naples38,3Trials.

Longhi, Alberto12 Aug 19420814Naples12 Aug 19422342Naples58,4Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto17 Aug 19421022Naples18 Aug 19421525La Spezia349,5Passage Naples-La Spezia to load G7e electric torpedoes.
  17 Aug 1942130040° 42'N, 13° 59'EAt 1300 hours, a torpedo was fired from tube no.7 (stern) due to an error in drill.

Longhi, Alberto20 Aug 19421025La Spezia20 Aug 19421100La Spezia0,9Change moorings.

Longhi, Alberto24 Aug 19421635La Spezia24 Aug 19421730La Spezia0,9Change moorings.

Longhi, Alberto25 Aug 19421526La Spezia25 Aug 19421750La Spezia7,8Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto27 Aug 19420845La Spezia27 Aug 19421650La Spezia41,6Trials.

Longhi, Alberto1 Sep 19420200La Spezia2 Sep 19420848Cagliari351Passage La Spezia-Cagliari.

Longhi, Alberto7 Sep 19420737Cagliari7 Sep 19421153Cagliari42,5Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto14 Sep 19421144Cagliari14 Sep 19421517Cagliari38,8Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto15 Sep 19420819Cagliari15 Sep 19421225Cagliari50,4Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto2 Oct 19420805Cagliari2 Oct 19421225Cagliari27Exercises.

15Longhi, Alberto10 Oct 19421800Cagliari19 Oct 19421344Cagliari1455,6Patrolled between 37°00'N and 37°30'N and 01°40'E and 02°00'E, between Ibiza and the Algerian coast. Sighted only three Swedish relief ships which had been announced.
  11 Oct 1942084237° 49'N, 6° 27'EAt 0842 hours, a German aircraft was seen and exchanged recognition signals.
  11 Oct 1942204537° 08'N, 3° 55'EAt 2045 hours, an unknown submarine was observed at 1,500 metres and Mocenigo turned away.
  15 Oct 1942195037° 20'N, 1° 42'EAt 1950 hours, three ships were seen on a 080° course. At 2008 hours, they were recognised as Swedish vessels which had been announced.
  19 Oct 19420950At 0950 hours, the submarine Dandolo was encountered and signals were exchanged.

16Longhi, Alberto7 Nov 19420355Cagliari21 Nov 19421520Cagliari1662,8Patrolled off Philippeville, ordered to area between 37°40'N and 37°50'N and 07°00'E and 07°30'E but on the morning of 8th November, she was ordered to shift to 37°00'N and 37°20'N and 07°00'E and 07°20'E. Also ordered to sea were: Nichelio, Porfido, Brin, Argento, Emo, Asteria, Velella, Dandolo, Argo, Platino and Acciaio.
  8 Nov 1942084037° 46'N, 7° 13'EAt 0840 hours, an Italian submarine was sighted at a range of 10 miles.
  10 Nov 1942015337° 11'N, 7° 15'EAt 0513 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted.
  11 Nov 1942035037° 10'N, 7° 05'E
(0) Approximately.
At 0350 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted.
  11 Nov 19421802-182037° 02'N, 7° 04'EAt 1802 hours, an unidentified aircraft was seen. The submarine dived at 1820 hours and heard explosions at 1825-1829 hours.
  11 Nov 1942214037° 13'N, 7° 18'EAt 2140 hours, an unidentified submarine was sighted.
  12 Nov 1942175537° 07'N, 7° 13'EAt 1755 hours, an aircraft of the Consolidated 32 type, was sighted through the periscope. Mocenigo went down to 50 metres and heard bomb explosions.
  13 Nov 1942123737° 07'N, 7° 15'E
(0) Approximately.
At 1237 hours, an aircraft was sighted through the periscope. Mocenigo went deep and, three minutes later, heard two explosions.
  13 Nov 19421312At 1312 hours, an aircraft was sighted through the periscope. Mocenigo went down to 50 metres.
  13 Nov 1942160037° 07'N, 7° 15'EAt 1600 hours, a corvette was sighted at 7,000 metres.
  13 Nov 19421700At 1700 hours, an aircraft was sighted and Mocenigo went down to 50 meters. Shortly after, H.E. were heard approaching and the submarine went deeper to 70 meters and heard depth-charges.
  16 Nov 1942002936° 43'N, 5° 25'EAt 0029 hours, a corvette was sighted and Mocenigo dived.
  16 Nov 1942021036° 45'N, 5° 22'EAt 0210 hours, an MTB was sighted and Mocenigo dived.
  19 Nov 1942003537° 14'N, 6° 54'EAt 0030 hours, a convoy of seven ships was observed proceeding on an easterly course at a distance of about 3,200 metres. Five minutes later, Mocenigo had closed on the surface to 1,000 metres and fired four torpedoes (G7e) from her bow tubes and dived. About 65 seconds later, two hits were heard. This claim has not been confirmed.
  20 Nov 1942043536° 55'N, 6° 55'EAt 0435 hours, a large motorboat was sighted at 500 metres and Mocenigo dived.

Longhi, Alberto1 Dec 19420816Cagliari1 Dec 19421250Cagliari34,7Exercises.

17Longhi, Alberto11 Dec 19421605Cagliari15 Dec 19420710Cagliari1635,2Patrolled in area between 37°20'N and 37°40'N and 08°00'E and 08°20'E, interrupted patrol to load four torpedoes at Cagliari.
  14 Dec 19420558.5
0600 (e)
37° 30'N, 8° 13'E
(e) 37° 21'N, 8° 19'E
At 0556 hours, Mocenigo was on the surface when she sighted four enemy warships in two columns, proceeding on a SSW course at 18 knots at a distance of 2,000 metres. At 0558 hours, four torpedoes (G7e) were fired from the bow tubes at 2 second intervals from a distance of 800 metres, at what appeared to be a TRIBAL class destroyer. The submarine dived upon firing and heard two hits after 59 and 62 seconds. The victim was the light cruiser HMS Argonaut (5,450 tons), returning from a sweep with the light cruiser HMS Aurora and the destroyers HMS Eskimo and HMS Quality (Force Q).

The torpedoes had hit the bow and stern sections, killing an officer and two ratings. The engines were stopped and the steering had failed. HMS Quality remained besides her throughout and HMS Eskimo rejoined them before daylight. She finally managed to get under way at 8 knots, screened by the two destroyers. The escort was later reinforced by the destroyers HMS Ashanti and HMS Tartar and they reached Algiers at 1700 hours on the 15th.

17bLonghi, Alberto16 Dec 19421740Cagliari25 Dec 19420950Cagliari1635,2Patrolled in area between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 08°00'E and 08°20'E, west of La Galite.
  19 Dec 1942181037° 34'N, 8° 16'EAt 1810 hours, an enemy aircraft was sighted and it dropped flares. Mocenigo dived.
  24 Dec 19421955+37° 38'N, 8° 11'EAt 1955 hours, a submarine of the OBERON class was sighted at 2,000 metres. Mocenigo immediately turned away and almost simultaneously a torpedo passed alongside her, missing her by only 2 or 3 metres. The Italian submarine fired back a torpedo from no. 8 tube from a distance of 1,000 metres. It missed. Two loud explosions were heard at 2006 hours (probably torpedoes exploding at the end of their run).

The explosions were also heard by the submarine Alagi who was cruising in the vicinity. Longhi had ordered his gun crew at the ready, but conditions were not favourable for a gun duel so they were not used and Mocenigo dived at 2001 hours. The enemy submarine was P 219 (later named Seraph, Lt. N.L.A. Jewell, RN, MBE). She had fired three torpedoes at a range of 400-500 yards. For Mocenigo this had been a close shave.

Longhi, Alberto3 Jan 19430822Cagliari3 Jan 19431250Cagliari27,2Exercises.

18Longhi, Alberto4 Jan 19430620Cagliari11 Jan 19432310Cagliari1050,1Sailed for patrol between 37°40'N and 38°00'N, and between 09°00'E and 09°20'E. In the evening of 5th January, ordered to the western approaches of the Bay of Bougie between 37°00'N and 37°20'N, and between 04°00'E and 04°20'E.
  6 Jan 1943031037° 51'N, 8° 10'EAt 0310 hours, an Axis bomber was sighted and recognition signals exchanged.
  6 Jan 1943182037° 44'N, 6° 59'EAt 1820 hours, a surfaced Italian submarine was sighted at 5,000 metres.
  7 Jan 19432356
2356 (e)
37° 06'N, 4° 10'E
(e) 37° 20'N, 5° 48'E
At 2356 hours, Mocenigo sighted an aircraft, which flew over and dropped flares. She crash-dived and was shaken violently by two explosions. Two more explosions were heard at 0026 hours.

This was Wellington 'X' (LB145) of 179 Squadron piloted by Flight Sergeant T. Hasty who had detected the submarine by radar at a distance of 1 mile and used the Leigh Light to illuminate it. It was recognised as of Italian type similar to Galileo Ferraris. The attack was carried out from the port quarter, first using the nose gun then dropping two Mark XI Torpex depth charges set at shallow depth from a height of 50-100 feet (two more failed to release). Two flame floats were also dropped to mark the position. The rear gunner reported that the first depth charge exploded well to port, but the second exploded close to the starboard side of the submarine. The aircraft returned at 0055 hours but nothing was sighted.
  10 Jan 1943181836° 59'N, 5° 18'EAt 1818 hours, three steamers escorted by three destroyers were observed on an easterly course at a distance of 10,000 metres. They were too far to be attacked. These were the same ships that were nearly attacked by Bronzo earlier in the afternoon.
  11 Jan 19430041
0035 (e)
37° 07'N, 6° 08'E
(e) 37° 10'N, 5° 42'E
At 0041 hours, an aircraft was seen with a projector (a Leigh Light) and Mocenigo dived immediately. This was Wellington 'V' (HX562) of 179 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer G. Dring. It had gained a radar contact from 7 miles and had switched its Leigh Light when at range of 0.75 mile and correctly identified the submarine to be of the Italian type. Four Mark XI Torpex depth charges were released from a height of 80 feet and the rear gunner fired off about 30 rounds. The aircraft circled the area but without sighting anything.

Longhi, Alberto21 Jan 19431335Cagliari21 Jan 19431615Cagliari17,2Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto23 Jan 19430820Cagliari23 Jan 19431220Cagliari19,2Exercises.

19Longhi, Alberto23 Jan 19431610Cagliari31 Jan 19430825Cagliari955,3Patrolled off Bougie, between 37°20'N and the North African coast, and between 06°00'E and 06°20'E.
  25 Jan 1943122337° 17'N, 6° 07'EAt 1223 hours, the submarine was suddenly shaken by depth charges and escaped by going down to 70 meters.
  26 Jan 1943091037° 14'N, 5° 59'EAt 0745 hours, a convoy was observed from a distance of about 10,000 metres on a westerly course, zigzagging at 7 knots. It appeared to be formed by three 4-5,000-ton steamers escorted by three patrol vessels. At 0809, at 0818 and 0831 hours, sounds were heard from turbines. Finally, at 0832 hours, a smoke was seen on the horizon. This time it was a convoy of three steamers escorted by corvettes and two aircraft. At 0910 hours, Mocenigo fired two torpedoes from tubes no. 1 and 3 at a distance of 1,500 metres. The other tubes were not ready to fire. The torpedoes missed as nothing was heard. At 1052 hours, the submarine surfaced and made an enemy report.
  30 Jan 1943045437° 16'N, 6° 08'EAfter hearing sounds of vessels on several occasions, at 0335 hours, Mocenigo sighted a corvette at 6,000 metres. She had perhaps been seen by the enemy and dived at 0350 hours. At 0450 hours, the submarine surfaced and observed the shadows of four merchant ships escorted by destroyers and corvettes steering 070° at 8 knots. Four minutes later, the four stern torpedoes were fired at 2-second intervals from a distance of 1,600 metres and the submarine dived. Three hits were heard. Depth charges were heard at 0501, 0504 and 0507 hours. At 1102 hours, Mocenigo surfaced and made an enemy report.

Longhi, Alberto1 Feb 19430725Cagliari2 Feb 19430915Naples281,8Passage Cagliari-Naples.

Longhi, Alberto23 Feb 19430810Naples23 Feb 19431155Naples18Trials.

Longhi, Alberto25 Feb 19431325Naples25 Feb 19431615Naples14,8Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto26 Feb 19430220Naples27 Feb 19430725Cagliari287,4Passage Naples-Cagliari.

20Longhi, Alberto2 Mar 19431840Cagliari20 Mar 19431155La Maddalena1697,4Sailed with Brin and Dandolo and patrolled between 37°00'N and 37°40'N and between 05°00'E and 05°40'E off Bougie, then between 38°20'N and the African coast, and between 06°00'E and 06°40'E. ULTRA had informed the Allies of her patrol position.
  5 Mar 1943033137° 21'N, 5° 50'E
(0) Approximately.
At 2145 hours, Mocenigo was informed that a German aircraft had crashed in the sea and was ordered to search for survivors. At 0331 hours, a lifeboat was located but it was of the type used by merchant vessels and was empty. The search for the airmen was fruitless.
  9 Mar 1943114837° 22'N, 6° 27'EAt 1148 hours, a 5,000-ton light cruiser of the DIDO class was sighted at a distance of 12,000 metres, proceeding steering 270° at 20 knots. Mocenigo was unable to close.
  14 Mar 1943100337° 21'N, 6° 35'EAt 1008 hours, two DIDO class cruisers and two JERVIS class destroyers were sighted on a westerly course at 18 knots, from a distance of 16,000 metres. Mocenigo readied her torpedo tubes, but could not close to less than 6,000 metres and the attack was abandoned.
  14 Mar 1943140737° 22'N, 6° 25'EAt 1407 hours, two cruisers and two destroyers were sighted at 10,000 metres. It was believed they were the same as those seen at 1003 hours. Again Mocenigo could not close to less than 5,000 metres. At 1524 hours, the submarine surfaced and made an enemy report.
  17 Mar 1943040337° 14'N, 6° 18'EAt 0356 hours, a freighter with two escorts steering 050°, were sighted at 3,000 metres. At 0403 hours, four torpedoes (G7e) were fired from the bow tubes at 1,000 metres. They missed. Mocenigo turned for a stern shot but she was at a depth of 20 metres when two depth charges exploded at 0407 hours. The submarine went deep.
  17 Mar 19432128-214037° 52'N, 6° 33'EAt 2128 hours, a submarine steering 270° was sighted at 7,000 metres. Mocenigo tried to close but lost contact.
  18 Mar 19431225-1610Between 1225 and 1610 hours, the submarine was depth charged but escaped without damage.
  19 Mar 1943083038° 22'N, 9° 04'EAt 0830 hours, an Italian aircraft was sighted and recognition signals were exchanged.
  19 Mar 1943105039° 21'N, 10° 16'EAt 1050 hours, a derelict mine was sighted.

Longhi, Alberto4 Apr 19430915La Maddalena4 Apr 19431547La Maddalena71,1Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto5 Apr 19431402La Maddalena5 Apr 19431625La Maddalena17,2Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto12 Apr 19431005La Maddalena13 Apr 19430745Naples232,8Passage La Maddalena-Naples.

Longhi, Alberto13 Apr 19431002Naples13 Apr 19431152Castellammare di Stabia20,05Passage Naples-Castellammare di Stabia.

Longhi, Alberto21 Apr 19430925Castellammare di Stabia21 Apr 19431912Castellammare di Stabia31,5Exercises, stopped also in Naples.

Longhi, Alberto24 Apr 19430820Castellammare di Stabia24 Apr 19431219Castellammare di Stabia27,5Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto28 Apr 19430815Castellammare di Stabia28 Apr 19431222Castellammare di Stabia29,5Exercises.

Longhi, Alberto1 May 19430056Castellammare di Stabia2 May 19430926Cagliari284,5Passage Castellammare di Stabia-Cagliari.

Longhi, Alberto13 May 19431415Cagliari13 May 19431445SunkSunk by USAAF in Cagliari harbour, where she needed repairs by several near-misses (all ten crew members who were on board were evacuated in time, no casualties).
  13 May 1943
(0) Cagliari harbour.
During an air raid by USAAF bombers on Cagliari harbour, Mocenigo was near-missed several times and sank. The ten crew members who were on board at the time were all evacuated safely.

170 entries. 120 total patrol entries (20 marked as war patrols) and 70 events.

All Italian submarines