Italian submarines in World War Two
Mocenigo (MO, I.19)
Mocenigo
Type | Ocean going | |
Class | Marcello (12) | |
Laid down | 19 Jan 1937 | Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone |
Launched | 20 Nov 1937 | |
Commissioned | 14 Aug 1938 | |
End service | ||
Stricken | ||
Loss date | 13 May 1943 | |
Loss position | 39° 12'N, 9° 07'E | |
History | Sunk at Cagliari on 13th May 1943 by aircraft bombs from USAAF aircraft. | |
Fate |
Commands
Commander | Date from | Date to | Command notes |
---|---|---|---|
C.C. Michele Asnasch | 1 Feb 1940 | 16 Jun 1940 | |
C.C. Vittorio Carminati | 17 Jun 1940 | 16 Sep 1940 | |
C.F. Alberto Ginocchio | 16 Sep 1940 | 25 Oct 1940 | |
C.C. Alberto Agostini | 25 Oct 1940 | 4 Sep 1941 | |
T.V. Filippo Flores | 5 Sep 1941 | 21 Sep 1941 | |
T.V. Massimiliano Iasiello | 22 Sep 1941 | 31 Oct 1941 | |
T.V. Paolo Monechi | 1 Nov 1941 | 23 Jun 1942 | |
S.T.V. Renato Troiani | 24 Jun 1942 | 14 Jul 1942 | |
T.V. Alberto Longhi | 15 Jul 1942 | 13 May 1943 |
Ships hit
Date | Commander | Ship hit | Type | GRT | Nat. | Loss type | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 21 Dec 1940 | C.C. Alberto Agostini | Mangen | Cargo ship | 1,253 | Sunk | |
2. | 14 Mar 1942 | C.C. Paolo Monechi | Sainte Marcelle | Cargo ship | 1,518 | Sunk | |
3. | 14 Dec 1942 | T.V. Alberto Longhi | HMS Argonaut | Light cruiser | 5,450 | Damaged |
Patrols and events
Commander | Date | Time | Port | Arr. date | Arr. time | Arr. port | Miles | Description | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Asnasch, Michele | 9 Jun 1940 | 1410 | La Spezia | 14 Jun 1940 | 0730 | La 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. | |
2 | Carminati, Vittorio | 17 Jun 1940 | 1800 | La Spezia | 29 Jun 1940 | 2240 | La 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 1940 | 0345 | (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 1940 | 0345 | 42° 19'N, 3° 19'E | At 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, Vittorio | 6 Jul 1940 | 1518 | La Spezia | 6 Jul 1940 | 1600 | La Spezia | 1 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 8 Jul 1940 | 1140 | La Spezia | 8 Jul 1940 | 1220 | La Spezia | 1 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 9 Jul 1940 | 1233 | La Spezia | 9 Jul 1940 | 1950 | La Spezia | 67,5 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 12 Jul 1940 | 0715 | La Spezia | 12 Jul 1940 | 0840 | La Spezia | 9 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 15 Jul 1940 | 0800 | La Spezia | 15 Jul 1940 | 1800 | La Spezia | 92 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 19 Jul 1940 | 0556 | La Spezia | 19 Jul 1940 | 1615 | La Spezia | 87 | Exercises. | ||
3 | Carminati, Vittorio | 22 Jul 1940 | 2203 | La Spezia | 9 Aug 1940 | 0700 | La Spezia | 1672 | Patrolled east of Gibraltar, between meridian of Cape de Gata, Cape Palos and Cape Ivi, between Spanish coast and North African coast. | |
Carminati, Vittorio | 20 Aug 1940 | 1400 | La Spezia | 20 Aug 1940 | 1450 | La Spezia | 0,8 | Changed moorings? | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 29 Aug 1940 | 0905 | La Spezia | 29 Aug 1940 | 1555 | La Spezia | 50 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 31 Aug 1940 | 0900 | La Spezia | 31 Aug 1940 | 1200 | La Spezia | 26 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 3 Sep 1940 | 0825 | La Spezia | 3 Sep 1940 | 1225 | La Spezia | 21 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 4 Sep 1940 | 0854 | La Spezia | 4 Sep 1940 | 1440 | La Spezia | 1 | Exercises? | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 5 Sep 1940 | 1354 | La Spezia | 5 Sep 1940 | 1730 | La Spezia | 27 | Exercises. | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 12 Sep 1940 | 0901 | La Spezia | 12 Sep 1940 | 1440 | La Spezia | 0,9 | Changed moorings? | ||
Carminati, Vittorio | 14 Sep 1940 | 0830 | La Spezia | 14 Sep 1940 | 1130 | La Spezia | 25 | Exercises. | ||
Ginocchio, Alberto | 19 Oct 1940 | 0800 | La Spezia | 19 Oct 1940 | 1700 | La Spezia | 53 | Exercises. | ||
Ginocchio, Alberto | 21 Oct 1940 | 0826 | La Spezia | 21 Oct 1940 | 1655 | La Spezia | 49,5 | Exercises. | ||
Ginocchio, Alberto | 22 Oct 1940 | 1522 | La Spezia | 22 Oct 1940 | 1552 | La Spezia | 0,5 | Changed moorings? | ||
Ginocchio, Alberto | 24 Oct 1940 | 0748 | La Spezia | 24 Oct 1940 | 1130 | La Spezia | 26,4 | Exercises. | ||
Ginocchio, Alberto | 25 Oct 1940 | 1630 | La Spezia | 25 Oct 1940 | 1645 | La Spezia | 0,1 | Changed moorings? | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 15 Nov 1940 | 1255 | La Spezia | 15 Nov 1940 | 1805 | La Spezia | 31 | Exercises. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 16 Nov 1940 | 1130 | La Spezia | 16 Nov 1940 | 1200 | La Spezia | 0,8 | Changed moorings? | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 19 Nov 1940 | 1125 | La Spezia | 19 Nov 1940 | 1203 | La Spezia | 0,8 | Changed moorings? | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 20 Nov 1940 | 1104 | La Spezia | 20 Nov 1940 | 1730 | La Spezia | 29,7 | Exercises. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 22 Nov 1940 | 0828 | La Spezia | 22 Nov 1940 | 1430 | La Spezia | 0,6 | Tests? | ||
4 | Agostini, Alberto | 24 Nov 1940 | 0730 | La Spezia | 26 Dec 1940 | 1735 | Bordeaux | 4220 | Passage 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 1940 | 0936 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 1940 | 2209 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 1940 | 1703 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, Alberto | 1 Mar 1941 | 0835 | Bordeaux | 1 Mar 1941 | 1220 | Le Verdon | 60 | Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 2 Mar 1941 | 0800 | Le Verdon | 2 Mar 1941 | 1626 | La Pallice | 68 | Passage 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, Alberto | 3 Mar 1941 | 1105 | La Pallice | 3 Mar 1941 | 1805 | La Pallice | 29 | Trials at le Pertuis d'Antioche. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 4 Mar 1941 | 0940 | La Pallice | 4 Mar 1941 | 1130 | La Pallice | 0,2 | Tests? | ||
5 | Agostini, Alberto | 5 Mar 1941 | 1850 | La Pallice | 26 Mar 1941 | 1907 | Bordeaux | 3605 | Sailed 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 1941 | 0100 | 48° 37'N, 13° 14'W | At 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 1941 | 1155 | 53° 20'N, 24° 18'W | At 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 1941 | 1505 | 53° 52'N, 19° 25'W | Mocenigo 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 1941 | 1510 | 46° 13'N, 7° 45'W | An unidentified aircraft was sighted at 10,000 metres and the submarine dived. | |||||||
Agostini, Alberto | 16 May 1941 | 0915 | Bordeaux | 16 May 1941 | 1500 | Bordeaux | 1 | Demagnetization. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 19 May 1941 | 1340 | Bordeaux | 19 May 1941 | 1808 | Le Verdon | 52 | Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 20 May 1941 | 0610 | Le Verdon | 20 May 1941 | 0925 | Le Verdon | Trials off Le Verdon. | |||
Agostini, Alberto | 20 May 1941 | 1000 | Le Verdon | 20 May 1941 | 2100 | La Pallice | 103 | Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice and trials at Le Pertuis d'Antioche [mileage is forth both sorties of the day]. | ||
6 | Agostini, Alberto | 20 May 1941 | 1340 | La Pallice | 13 Jun 1941 | 1150 | Pauillac | 4959,6 | Patrolled in zone centred on 34°15'N, 08°15'W. | |
24 May 1941 | 1235 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 1941 | 2100 | 34° 05'N, 8° 32'W | At 2100 hours, two fishing vessels were observed but left undisturbed. | |||||||
27 May 1941 | 0817 | 34° 25'N, 8° 34'W | At 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 1941 | 1642 | 34° 11'N, 8° 19'W | At 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 1941 | 0442 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 1941 | 1200 | 33° 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, Alberto | 13 Jun 1941 | 1820 | Pauillac | 13 Jun 1941 | 2140 | Bordeaux | Passage Pauillac-Bordeaux. | |||
Agostini, Alberto | 29 Jun 1941 | 1040 | Bordeaux | 29 Jun 1941 | 1100 | Bordeaux | 0,2 | Changed moorings. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 24 Jul 1941 | 0930 | Bordeaux | 24 Jul 1941 | 1250 | Bordeaux | 1 | Trials. | ||
7 | Agostini, Alberto | 10 Aug 1941 | 0902 | Bordeaux | 12 Aug 1941 | 2040 | Bordeaux | 575,5 | Sailed for La Spezia, but turned back because of defects. | |
Agostini, Alberto | 14 Aug 1941 | 1000 | Bordeaux | 14 Aug 1941 | 1432 | Bordeaux | 45 | Exercises. | ||
Agostini, Alberto | 16 Aug 1941 | 1426 | Bordeaux | 16 Aug 1941 | 1756 | Le Verdon | Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon. | |||
8 | Agostini, Alberto | 16 Aug 1941 | 1947 | Le Verdon | 28 Aug 1941 | 1018 | La Spezia | 2319 | Sailed with Otaria for passage Le Verdon-La Spezia. Passed Gibraltar on 23rd August 1941. Uneventful. | |
Agostini, Alberto | 1 Sep 1941 | 0813 | Le Verdon | 1 Sep 1941 | 0822 | La Spezia | 0,1 | Changed moorings. | ||
Flores, Filippo | 18 Sep 1941 | 1120 | La Spezia | 18 Sep 1941 | 1200 | La Spezia | 0,3 | Changed moorings. | ||
Flores, Filippo | 18 Sep 1941 | 1530 | La Spezia | 18 Sep 1941 | 1600 | La Spezia | 0,3 | Changed moorings. | ||
Iasiello, Massimiliano | 27 Oct 1941 | 0820 | La Spezia | 27 Oct 1941 | 1750 | La Spezia | 70 | Exercises with the submarine Acciaio, escorted by MAS 570. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 2 Nov 1941 | 0810 | La Spezia | 2 Nov 1941 | 1745 | La Spezia | 68 | Exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Torre Annunziata. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 7 Nov 1941 | 0745 | La Spezia | 7 Nov 1941 | 1700 | La Spezia | 61,2 | Exercises, escorted by MAS 570. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 8 Nov 1941 | 0810 | La Spezia | 8 Nov 1941 | 1538 | La Spezia | 26 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 10 Nov 1941 | 0813 | La Spezia | 10 Nov 1941 | 1500 | La Spezia | 15 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 11 Nov 1941 | 1650 | La Spezia | 11 Nov 1941 | 1740 | La Spezia | 1 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 12 Nov 1941 | 0917 | La Spezia | 12 Nov 1941 | 1250 | La Spezia | 6 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 14 Nov 1941 | 0935 | La Spezia | 14 Nov 1941 | 1010 | La Spezia | 1 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 16 Nov 1941 | 0750 | La Spezia | 16 Nov 1941 | 1435 | La Spezia | 36 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 17 Nov 1941 | 0800 | La Spezia | 17 Nov 1941 | 1220 | La Spezia | 28 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 18 Nov 1941 | 0800 | La Spezia | 18 Nov 1941 | 1200 | La Spezia | 29 | Exercises with the submarines Colonna and Acciaio, escorted by the auxiliaries Crotone, Santantioco and Capodistria. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 20 Nov 1941 | 2210 | La Spezia | 22 Nov 1941 | 0845 | Naples | 340 | Passage La Spezia-Naples. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 26 Nov 1941 | 0900 | Naples | 26 Nov 1941 | 1640 | Naples | 40 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 29 Nov 1941 | 0925 | Naples | 29 Nov 1941 | 1645 | Naples | 45 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 4 Dec 1941 | 1605 | Naples | 6 Dec 1941 | 0930 | Taranto | 510 | Passage 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). | ||
9 | Monechi, Paolo | 11 Dec 1941 | 1115 | Taranto | 17 Dec 1941 | 1800 | Bardia | Supply 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 1941 | 1240 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). | |||||||
9b | Monechi, Paolo | 17 Dec 1941 | 2115 | Bardia | 21 Dec 1941 | 0915 | Benghazi | Supply mission to Bardia and Benghazi (59 tons of fuel, 15 tons of food supplies) (part 2). | ||
18 Dec 1941 | 1117 | 33° 28'N, 24° 42'E | At 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. | |||||||
9c | Monechi, Paolo | 21 Dec 1941 | 1857 | Benghazi | 23 Dec 1941 | 1825 | Bardia | Supply mission to Bardia (15 tons of food supplies). Uneventful. | ||
9d | Monechi, Paolo | 23 Dec 1941 | 2110 | Bardia | 27 Dec 1941 | 0820 | Suda | Return trip from supply mission to Bardia and Benghazi. Brought back a wounded captain, a sub lieutenant, fifteen sailors and ten PoWs. | ||
24 Dec 1941 | 1030 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 1941 | 2216 | 35° 46'N, 23° 49'E | At 2216 hours, Mocenigo sighted a Spanish vessel which had left Suda and shortly after a submarine of the VENIERO class on opposite course. | |||||||
9e | Monechi, Paolo | 27 Dec 1941 | 1700 | Suda | 31 Dec 1941 | 1525 | Taranto | 2592,07 | Return trip from supply mission to Bardia and Benghazi. | |
27 Dec 1941 | 2216 | 35° 46'N, 23° 49'E | At 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 1941 | 0247 | 39° 12'N, 18° 20'E | At 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, Paolo | 5 Jan 1942 | 1005 | Taranto | 5 Jan 1942 | 1045 | Taranto | 0,5 | Docked. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 12 Jan 1942 | 1215 | Taranto | 12 Jan 1942 | 1335 | Taranto | 0,5 | Left dock. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 27 Jan 1942 | 1113 | Taranto | 27 Jan 1942 | 1740 | Taranto | 30,5 | Trials. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 30 Jan 1942 | 1130 | Taranto | 30 Jan 1942 | 1150 | Taranto | 0,2 | Changed moorings. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 4 Feb 1942 | 1046 | Taranto | 4 Feb 1942 | 1135 | Taranto | 4 | Changed moorings. | ||
10 | Monechi, Paolo | 9 Feb 1942 | 1007 | Taranto | 11 Feb 1942 | 1321 | Taranto | 371 | Sailed 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, Paolo | 14 Feb 1942 | 1120 | Taranto | 14 Feb 1942 | 1530 | Taranto | 33,5 | Trials. | ||
11 | Monechi, Paolo | 14 Feb 1942 | 1725 | Taranto | 27 Feb 1942 | 1405 | Cagliari | 1832,8 | Sailed 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 1942 | 1212 | 35° 33'N, 15° 36'E | At 1212 hours, two aircraft were sighted at 10,000 metres and Mocenigo dived. Shortly after, three explosions were heard. | |||||||
25 Feb 1942 | 0845 | At 0845 hours, the submarine Serpente was sighted. | ||||||||
25 Feb 1942 | 2058 | At 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, Paolo | 11 Mar 1942 | 0705 | Taranto | 11 Mar 1942 | 1215 | Taranto | 37,8 | Exercises. | ||
Monechi, Paolo | 13 Mar 1942 | 0703 | Taranto | 13 Mar 1942 | 1145 | Taranto | 31,3 | Exercises, escorted by MAS 503. | ||
12 | Monechi, Paolo | 13 Mar 1942 | 1856 | Cagliari | 3 Apr 1942 | 1455 | Cagliari | 2878 | Patrolled north of Cape Falcon, in area between 36°00'N and 36°40'N and 00°40'E and 01°40'E. | |
14 Mar 1942 | 2056 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 1942 | 1533 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, Paolo | 5 Apr 1942 | 0930 | Cagliari | 5 Apr 1942 | 1015 | Cagliari | 0,7 | Changed moorings. | ||
13 | Monechi, Paolo | 20 Apr 1942 | 1610 | Cagliari | 20 Apr 1942 | 1753 | Cagliari | 9,2 | Sailed 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. | |
14 | Monechi, Paolo | 29 Apr 1942 | 1155 | Cagliari | 20 May 1942 | 0832 | Cagliari | 2629,7 | Sailed 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 1942 | 0740 | 37° 03'N, 0° 15'E | At 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 1942 | 1434 | 37° 00'N, 0° 08'E | At 1434 hours, the submarine sighted a destroyer at a distance of 16,000 metres. | |||||||
9 May 1942 | 0912 | 37° 41'N, 2° 18'E | At 1434 hours, the submarine sighted from a distance of 13,000 metres a destroyer proceeding at 24 knots. | |||||||
18 May 1942 | 0826 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, Paolo | 2 Jun 1942 | 0925 | Cagliari | 3 Jun 1942 | 0825 | Naples | 275,3 | Passage Cagliari-Naples. | ||
Troiani, Renato | 24 Jun 1942 | Naples | 14 Jul 1942 | Naples | Refit in Naples. Change in command. | |||||
Longhi, Alberto | 8 Aug 1942 | 0852 | Naples | 8 Aug 1942 | 1637 | Naples | 38,3 | Trials. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 12 Aug 1942 | 0814 | Naples | 12 Aug 1942 | 2342 | Naples | 58,4 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 17 Aug 1942 | 1022 | Naples | 18 Aug 1942 | 1525 | La Spezia | 349,5 | Passage Naples-La Spezia to load G7e electric torpedoes. | ||
17 Aug 1942 | 1300 | 40° 42'N, 13° 59'E | At 1300 hours, a torpedo was fired from tube no.7 (stern) due to an error in drill. | |||||||
Longhi, Alberto | 20 Aug 1942 | 1025 | La Spezia | 20 Aug 1942 | 1100 | La Spezia | 0,9 | Change moorings. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 24 Aug 1942 | 1635 | La Spezia | 24 Aug 1942 | 1730 | La Spezia | 0,9 | Change moorings. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 25 Aug 1942 | 1526 | La Spezia | 25 Aug 1942 | 1750 | La Spezia | 7,8 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 27 Aug 1942 | 0845 | La Spezia | 27 Aug 1942 | 1650 | La Spezia | 41,6 | Trials. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 1 Sep 1942 | 0200 | La Spezia | 2 Sep 1942 | 0848 | Cagliari | 351 | Passage La Spezia-Cagliari. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 7 Sep 1942 | 0737 | Cagliari | 7 Sep 1942 | 1153 | Cagliari | 42,5 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 14 Sep 1942 | 1144 | Cagliari | 14 Sep 1942 | 1517 | Cagliari | 38,8 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 15 Sep 1942 | 0819 | Cagliari | 15 Sep 1942 | 1225 | Cagliari | 50,4 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 2 Oct 1942 | 0805 | Cagliari | 2 Oct 1942 | 1225 | Cagliari | 27 | Exercises. | ||
15 | Longhi, Alberto | 10 Oct 1942 | 1800 | Cagliari | 19 Oct 1942 | 1344 | Cagliari | 1455,6 | Patrolled 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 1942 | 0842 | 37° 49'N, 6° 27'E | At 0842 hours, a German aircraft was seen and exchanged recognition signals. | |||||||
11 Oct 1942 | 2045 | 37° 08'N, 3° 55'E | At 2045 hours, an unknown submarine was observed at 1,500 metres and Mocenigo turned away. | |||||||
15 Oct 1942 | 1950 | 37° 20'N, 1° 42'E | At 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 1942 | 0950 | At 0950 hours, the submarine Dandolo was encountered and signals were exchanged. | ||||||||
16 | Longhi, Alberto | 7 Nov 1942 | 0355 | Cagliari | 21 Nov 1942 | 1520 | Cagliari | 1662,8 | Patrolled 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 1942 | 0840 | 37° 46'N, 7° 13'E | At 0840 hours, an Italian submarine was sighted at a range of 10 miles. | |||||||
10 Nov 1942 | 0153 | 37° 11'N, 7° 15'E | At 0513 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted. | |||||||
11 Nov 1942 | 0350 | 37° 10'N, 7° 05'E (0) Approximately. | At 0350 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted. | |||||||
11 Nov 1942 | 1802-1820 | 37° 02'N, 7° 04'E | At 1802 hours, an unidentified aircraft was seen. The submarine dived at 1820 hours and heard explosions at 1825-1829 hours. | |||||||
11 Nov 1942 | 2140 | 37° 13'N, 7° 18'E | At 2140 hours, an unidentified submarine was sighted. | |||||||
12 Nov 1942 | 1755 | 37° 07'N, 7° 13'E | At 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 1942 | 1237 | 37° 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 1942 | 1312 | At 1312 hours, an aircraft was sighted through the periscope. Mocenigo went down to 50 metres. | ||||||||
13 Nov 1942 | 1600 | 37° 07'N, 7° 15'E | At 1600 hours, a corvette was sighted at 7,000 metres. | |||||||
13 Nov 1942 | 1700 | At 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 1942 | 0029 | 36° 43'N, 5° 25'E | At 0029 hours, a corvette was sighted and Mocenigo dived. | |||||||
16 Nov 1942 | 0210 | 36° 45'N, 5° 22'E | At 0210 hours, an MTB was sighted and Mocenigo dived. | |||||||
19 Nov 1942 | 0035 | 37° 14'N, 6° 54'E | At 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 1942 | 0435 | 36° 55'N, 6° 55'E | At 0435 hours, a large motorboat was sighted at 500 metres and Mocenigo dived. | |||||||
Longhi, Alberto | 1 Dec 1942 | 0816 | Cagliari | 1 Dec 1942 | 1250 | Cagliari | 34,7 | Exercises. | ||
17 | Longhi, Alberto | 11 Dec 1942 | 1605 | Cagliari | 15 Dec 1942 | 0710 | Cagliari | 1635,2 | Patrolled 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 1942 | 0558.5 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. | |||||||
17b | Longhi, Alberto | 16 Dec 1942 | 1740 | Cagliari | 25 Dec 1942 | 0950 | Cagliari | 1635,2 | Patrolled 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 1942 | 1810 | 37° 34'N, 8° 16'E | At 1810 hours, an enemy aircraft was sighted and it dropped flares. Mocenigo dived. | |||||||
24 Dec 1942 | 1955+ | 37° 38'N, 8° 11'E | At 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, Alberto | 3 Jan 1943 | 0822 | Cagliari | 3 Jan 1943 | 1250 | Cagliari | 27,2 | Exercises. | ||
18 | Longhi, Alberto | 4 Jan 1943 | 0620 | Cagliari | 11 Jan 1943 | 2310 | Cagliari | 1050,1 | Sailed 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 1943 | 0310 | 37° 51'N, 8° 10'E | At 0310 hours, an Axis bomber was sighted and recognition signals exchanged. | |||||||
6 Jan 1943 | 1820 | 37° 44'N, 6° 59'E | At 1820 hours, a surfaced Italian submarine was sighted at 5,000 metres. | |||||||
7 Jan 1943 | 2356 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 1943 | 1818 | 36° 59'N, 5° 18'E | At 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 1943 | 0041 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, Alberto | 21 Jan 1943 | 1335 | Cagliari | 21 Jan 1943 | 1615 | Cagliari | 17,2 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 23 Jan 1943 | 0820 | Cagliari | 23 Jan 1943 | 1220 | Cagliari | 19,2 | Exercises. | ||
19 | Longhi, Alberto | 23 Jan 1943 | 1610 | Cagliari | 31 Jan 1943 | 0825 | Cagliari | 955,3 | Patrolled off Bougie, between 37°20'N and the North African coast, and between 06°00'E and 06°20'E. | |
25 Jan 1943 | 1223 | 37° 17'N, 6° 07'E | At 1223 hours, the submarine was suddenly shaken by depth charges and escaped by going down to 70 meters. | |||||||
26 Jan 1943 | 0910 | 37° 14'N, 5° 59'E | At 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 1943 | 0454 | 37° 16'N, 6° 08'E | After 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, Alberto | 1 Feb 1943 | 0725 | Cagliari | 2 Feb 1943 | 0915 | Naples | 281,8 | Passage Cagliari-Naples. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 23 Feb 1943 | 0810 | Naples | 23 Feb 1943 | 1155 | Naples | 18 | Trials. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 25 Feb 1943 | 1325 | Naples | 25 Feb 1943 | 1615 | Naples | 14,8 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 26 Feb 1943 | 0220 | Naples | 27 Feb 1943 | 0725 | Cagliari | 287,4 | Passage Naples-Cagliari. | ||
20 | Longhi, Alberto | 2 Mar 1943 | 1840 | Cagliari | 20 Mar 1943 | 1155 | La Maddalena | 1697,4 | Sailed 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 1943 | 0331 | 37° 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 1943 | 1148 | 37° 22'N, 6° 27'E | At 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 1943 | 1003 | 37° 21'N, 6° 35'E | At 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 1943 | 1407 | 37° 22'N, 6° 25'E | At 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 1943 | 0403 | 37° 14'N, 6° 18'E | At 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 1943 | 2128-2140 | 37° 52'N, 6° 33'E | At 2128 hours, a submarine steering 270° was sighted at 7,000 metres. Mocenigo tried to close but lost contact. | |||||||
18 Mar 1943 | 1225-1610 | Between 1225 and 1610 hours, the submarine was depth charged but escaped without damage. | ||||||||
19 Mar 1943 | 0830 | 38° 22'N, 9° 04'E | At 0830 hours, an Italian aircraft was sighted and recognition signals were exchanged. | |||||||
19 Mar 1943 | 1050 | 39° 21'N, 10° 16'E | At 1050 hours, a derelict mine was sighted. | |||||||
Longhi, Alberto | 4 Apr 1943 | 0915 | La Maddalena | 4 Apr 1943 | 1547 | La Maddalena | 71,1 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 5 Apr 1943 | 1402 | La Maddalena | 5 Apr 1943 | 1625 | La Maddalena | 17,2 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 12 Apr 1943 | 1005 | La Maddalena | 13 Apr 1943 | 0745 | Naples | 232,8 | Passage La Maddalena-Naples. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 13 Apr 1943 | 1002 | Naples | 13 Apr 1943 | 1152 | Castellammare di Stabia | 20,05 | Passage Naples-Castellammare di Stabia. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 21 Apr 1943 | 0925 | Castellammare di Stabia | 21 Apr 1943 | 1912 | Castellammare di Stabia | 31,5 | Exercises, stopped also in Naples. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 24 Apr 1943 | 0820 | Castellammare di Stabia | 24 Apr 1943 | 1219 | Castellammare di Stabia | 27,5 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 28 Apr 1943 | 0815 | Castellammare di Stabia | 28 Apr 1943 | 1222 | Castellammare di Stabia | 29,5 | Exercises. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 1 May 1943 | 0056 | Castellammare di Stabia | 2 May 1943 | 0926 | Cagliari | 284,5 | Passage Castellammare di Stabia-Cagliari. | ||
Longhi, Alberto | 13 May 1943 | 1415 | Cagliari | 13 May 1943 | 1445 | Sunk | Sunk 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.