Veniero (VN, I.22)
Veniero

Type	Ocean going
Class	Marcello (12)
Laid down	23 Jan 1937	Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone
Launched	14 Feb 1938
Commissioned	6 Jun 1938
End service
Stricken
Loss date	7 Jun 1942
Loss position
History
Fate	Lost, date and cause unknown. The report that she was sunk on 7th June 1942 north-east of Algiers in position 37°52'N, 04°05'E by a British Catalina aircraft (RAF 202 Sq./M) is an error. The submarine attacked was in fact Benedetto Brin.

Commands

Commander	Date from	Date to	Command notes
C.C. Folco Buonamici	23 Feb 1940	26 Aug 1940
C.C. Manlio Petroni	27 Aug 1940	5 Jul 1941
T.V. Elio Zappetta	7 Jul 1941	7 Jun 1942

Ships hit

	Date	Commander	Ship hit	Type	GRT	Nat.	Loss type
1.	18 Dec 1940	C.C. Manlio Petroni	Anastassia	Cargo ship	2,883		Sunk
2.	24 Mar 1941	C.C. Manlio Petroni	Agnete Maersk	Cargo ship	2,104		Sunk

Patrols and events

	Commander	Date	Time	Port	Arr. date	Arr. time	Arr. port	Miles	Description
1	Buonamici, Folco	8 Jun 1940	2200	La Spezia	21 Jun 1940	1300	La Spezia	1238	Patrolled south of Hyeres Island between 42°24'N and 42°54'N, and between 06°00'E and 06°40'E.
		13 Jun 1940	1447	(0) South of Hyeres Island.	At 1447 hours, Veniero was a depth of 25 metres when she was hit by an object. It was suspected that this may have been an aircraft bomb which failed to explode.
		13 Jun 1940	1900	(0) South of Hyeres Island.	At 1900 hours, at a distance of 6,000 metres, Veniero sighted a French submarine of the SIRÈNE class on a 040° course. It had not been detected by the hydrophones. The Italian submarine maneuvered to attack but lost contact.
	Buonamici, Folco	1 Jul 1940	0735	La Spezia	1 Jul 1940	1310	La Spezia	50	Hydrophone trials with torpedo boat Audace in 165° - Monte Moneglia - 3.5 miles.
2	Buonamici, Folco	2 Jul 1940	1100	La Spezia	1 Aug 1940	0815	La Spezia	3176	Attempted to reach the Atlantic and crossed Strait of Gibraltar during the night of 7/8th July. Operated off the Canaries in bad weather without result (sighted mostly Spanish ships) and returned through the Strait of Gibraltar (27/28th July).
		15 Jul 1940	0800-0925	(0) Off Island of Gomera (Canaries).	At 0800 hours, Veniero observed a tanker proceeding to Santa Cruz of Teneriffe. The submarine maneuvered to attack but the heavy seas made the pursuit difficult. At 0925 hours, the chase was abandoned.
	Petroni, Manlio	27 Aug 1940	0920	La Spezia	27 Aug 1940	1530	La Spezia	50	Exercises.
	Petroni, Manlio	4 Sep 1940	0834	La Spezia	4 Sep 1940	1610	La Spezia	59	Exercises.
	Petroni, Manlio	6 Sep 1940	0838	La Spezia	6 Sep 1940	1256	La Spezia	2,5	Exercises.
	Petroni, Manlio	7 Sep 1940	0635	La Spezia	7 Sep 1940	1315	La Spezia	60,5	Exercises.
	Petroni, Manlio	12 Sep 1940	1304	La Spezia	12 Sep 1940	1743	La Spezia	35	Exercises.
	Petroni, Manlio	18 Sep 1940	0825	La Spezia	18 Sep 1940	1823	La Spezia	63	Exercises.
	Petroni, Manlio	21 Sep 1940	0848	La Spezia	21 Sep 1940	1500	La Spezia	73,5	Exercises with a tug in 44°09.5'N, 09°30'40'E.
3	Petroni, Manlio	28 Sep 1940	0640	La Spezia	2 Nov 1940	1415	Le Verdon	4676	Patrolled south of Azores (between 35°25'N and 37°00'N, and between 16°50'W and 32°00'W before reaching Bordeaux. Passed Gibraltar on 3rd October 1940. Escorted in by M-13.
		2 Nov 1940	0855	45° 25'N, 4° 00'W	At 0855 hours, two torpedo tracks were reported by the executive officer as the submarine was proceeding on the surface at 14 knots. They missed astern. These were probably porpoises as no British submarine carried an attack in this area on that day.
3b	Petroni, Manlio	2 Nov 1940	1500	Le Verdon	2 Nov 1940	1915	Bordeaux		Passage Le Verdon-Bordeaux.
		2 Nov 1940	0855	45° 25'N, 4° 00'W	At 0855 hours, two torpedo tracks were reported by the executive officer as the submarine was proceeding on the surface at 14 knots. They missed astern. These were probably porpoises as no British submarine carried an attack in this area on that day.
4	Petroni, Manlio	5 Dec 1940	1115	Bordeaux	5 Dec 1940	1515	Le Verdon		Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.
4b	Petroni, Manlio	5 Dec 1940	1740	Le Verdon	2 Jan 1941	1440	Le Verdon	3589	Sailed through 49°00'N, 19°00'W for an Atlantic patrol between 55°00'N and 56°00'N, and between 17°00'W and 20°00'W.
		18 Dec 1940	0515+	54° 24'N, 19° 04'W	At 0515 hours, Veniero sighted a merchant vessel at 3,500 metres. When the range had closed to 800 metres, a torpedo (450mm) was fired from a bow tube. It missed astern. The target was the Greek steamer Anastassia (2,883 GRT, built 1905) from convoy SC.15d on passage from Halifax to Belfast. At 0525 hours, Veniero had reverted course to make a stern shot (533mm) from a distance of 500 metres but and it hit amidship. Shortly after, as Anastassia was settling very slowly, Veniero fired off three rounds, two of which hit to accelerate her sinking. In fact, she had not yet sunk as she would be found derelict on 20th December. Veniero later returned and picked up eight survivors although this was against her orders. Nineteen were killed or missing.
		27 Dec 1940	1115 1020 (e)	(e) 53° 41'N, 16° 03'W	At 1115 hours, Veniero sighted an aircraft approaching. She could not make a recognition signal as the cartridge did not work. As a precaution, the submarine dived and had reached a depth of 20 metres when three explosions were heard. The attack had been made by Sunderland 'B' (N9049) of 10 Squadron (RAAF) piloted by Flying Officer V.A. Hodgkinson. It had been looking for a convoy to escort, when a half submerged U-boat was sighted at a distance of 3 miles. The aircraft swooped down to a height of 100 feet and a stick of four depth charges was released after the U-boat had totally submerged. The first depth charge fell 100 yards in front of the swirl and along the estimated track. The remaining three fell along the track at 125 foot intervals. The Sunderland remained in the vicinity for an hour but no results to the attack were observed.
4c	Petroni, Manlio	3 Jan 1941		Le Verdon	3 Jan 1941		Blaye		Passage Le Verdon-Blaye.
4d	Petroni, Manlio	5 Jan 1941	1000	Blaye	5 Jan 1941	1220	Bordeaux		Passage Blaye-Bordeaux.
5	Petroni, Manlio	4 Mar 1941	1020	Bordeaux	4 Mar 1941	?	Le Verdon		Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.
5b	Petroni, Manlio	5 Mar 1941	1830?	Le Verdon	31 Mar 1941	1020	Bordeaux	4204	Sailed for Atlantic patrol between 54°00'N and 55°00'N, and between 13°00'W and 25°00'W.
		8 Mar 1941	1330	46° 00'N, 9° 50'W	At 1330 hours, an unidentified aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		9 Mar 1941	0220		At 0220 hours, Veniero was informed of a convoy in 53°30' N, 14°30' W. The submarine altered course to 290° at 11 knots to intercept but was then ordered by BETASOM to resume her course to her patrol area.
		18 Mar 1941	0220	54° 44'N, 19° 52'W	At 0220 hours, a drifter was observed at 8,000 metres. Veniero dived to avoid being seen.
		19 Mar 1941	1153		At 1153 hours, Veniero was informed of a convoy of 25-30 ships in 55°05' N, 21°15' W. The submarine altered course to 105° at 11 knots to intercept, but again altered course as she received more signals reporting the convoy. However, at 2156 hours, she had to stop her engines due to defects but managed to effect some repairs and resume her course. By 2000 hours on the 20th, she still had not made contact.
		21 Mar 1941	1645		At 1645 hours, an enemy destroyer was observed at periscope depth at a distance of 8,000 metres after the hydrophones had picked up sounds. Veniero remained submerged and heard several noises during the following hours and believed she was being hunted by two or three destroyers.
		23 Mar 1941	1430	48° 12'N, 17° 20'W	At 1430 hours, Veniero was informed of a convoy in 50°35' N, 18°45' W, steering 235° at 7 knots. The submarine altered course to 280° at 10 knots to intercept.
		24 Mar 1941	1630 1430 (e)	48° 50'N, 22° 45'W (e) 49° 00'N, 21° 55'W	At 1609 hours, a vessel was observed at a distance of 8,000 metres. It tried to escape. At 1630 hours, Veniero opened fire. She stopped and was abandoned. This was the British steamer Agnete Maersk (2,104 GRT, built 1924), a straggler from convoy O.G.56. Shortly after, Veniero fired two torpedoes at Agnete Maersk to finish her off. They missed under. At 1650 hours, gunfire was resumed to try to finish off Agnete Maersk but she still did not sink. At 1656 hours, a third torpedo was fired, but it also missed under. At 1725 hours, gunfire was resumed again and this time Agnete Maersk was set afire and sank. Twenty-eight men were killed, there were no survivors.
6	Petroni, Manlio	20 May 1941	1410	Bordeaux	19 Jun 1941	1600	Bordeaux	5550,5	Sailed for Atlantic patrol in approximate area 35°00'N, 11°00'W. On 2nd June, ordered to area between 33°00'N and the coast, and and between 08°00'W and 09°00'W. Escorted from Gironde buoy no.1 to le Verdon by Sperrbrecher III.
		25 May 1941	1257	44° 30'N, 11° 00'W	At 1257 hours, an unknown submarine was sighted. Veniero prudently turned away.
		27 May 1941	1000	38° 26'N, 11° 04'W	At 1000 hours, a steamer was sighted at 12,000 metres. Veniero closed and at 1112 hours, she dived for a submerged attack. At a distance of 1,500 metres, the vessel was recognised as the Spanish steamer Navemar (5,321 GRT, built 1921) steering 090° and the attack aborted. Navemar was sunk by the submarine Barbarigo in January 1942.
		30 May 1941	0118 0022 (e)	35° 40'N, 10° 32'W (e) 35° 41'N, 10° 00'W	At 2345 hours on the 29th, Veniero received a BETASOM signal with the position of a convoy discovered by Argo. She had altered course to intercept when, at 0116 hours, a destroyer or sloop steering 250° was encountered. Two minutes later, she fired a torpedo (450mm, type W 200) from a stern tube. A hit was heard but the torpedo had missed. A second destroyer appeared and hunted the submarine for two hours, dropping 28 depth charges. Veniero escaped at depths between 30 and 50 metres and finally surfaced at 0305 hours. The target had been the destroyer HMS Forester and she was later joined by HMS Fury.
		30 May 1941	0658	(0) 35.00 N, 11.00 W approx.	At 0635 hours, a signal had been received from BETASOM relating to an enemy force and Veniero altered course to 260° to intercept. At 0658 hours, an aircraft carrier and two destroyers were sighted at a distance of 8-10,000 metres. Veniero dived immediately. At 0730 hours, three depth charges were heard but by 0840 hours, the noises had faded away. At 1035 hours, three distant explosions were heard.
		1 Jun 1941	0437	37° 40'N, 11° 16'W	At 0437 hours, two patrol vessels were sighted.
		5 Jun 1941	1510	33° 44'N, 9° 20'W	At 1510 hours, the Spanish steamer Sil (2,522 GRT, built 1928) was sighted.
		6 Jun 1941	0215	34° 35'N, 11° 05'W	At 0215 hours, Veniero observed a 7,000-ton steamer and fired a torpedo (450mm, type W 200) from a bow tube. A hit was claimed and Petroni wrote that he saw her sinking, but this has not been confirmed. This was probably the British Ariosto (2,176 GRT, built 1940) from convoy OG.64 who reported being missed by torpedoes.
		6 Jun 1941	0219	34° 35'N, 11° 05'W	At 0219 hours, as Veniero was turning she sighted a second ship estimated at 6,000 tons and fired a stern torpedo (450mm, type W 200). Another hit was claimed, but again it was not confirmed.
		8 Jun 1941	1346	34° 38'N, 15° 00'W	At 1346 hours, a steamer was sighted. Veniero attempted to close but lost her in the mist.
		9 Jun 1941	0110	34° 30'N, 14° 06'W	At 0110 hours, an illuminated steamer was seen. It was assumed to be neutral and was not disturbed.
		9 Jun 1941	0850	34° 33'N, 14° 07'W	At 0850 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 10,000 metres and Veniero dived. An aircraft was again observed at 1050 hours, at the same distance. It was perhaps the same aircraft and the submarine dived again.
		10 Jun 1941	0750 (e)	(e) 35° 31'N, 14° 12'W	At 0750 hours, a Swordfish on A/S patrol for Force H sighted a submarine which had surfaced and then submerged. The aircraft attacked from a very low altitude and dropped six 100 lb A/S bombs. They failed to explode. The submarine may have been Veniero, who was in the area. Her patrol report is very brief and she may not have been aware of the attack.
		10 Jun 1941	0615	35° 38'N, 15° 00'W	At 0615 hours, three destroyers were observed straight ahead. Veniero dived and prudently remained submerged until 1600 hours. Possibly, they were HMS Vansittart, HMS Wild Swan and HMS Wrestler, detached from Force H to Gibraltar.
	Zappetta, Elio	27 Jul 1941	0920	Bordeaux	27 Jul 1941	Time?	Le Verdon		Passage Bordeaux-Le Verdon.
	Zappetta, Elio	28 Jul 1941	0800	Le Verdon	29 Jul 1941	2005	La Pallice	151	Passage Le Verdon-La Pallice with Marconi, escorted by two German minesweepers.
	Zappetta, Elio	3 Aug 1941	Time?	La Pallice	3 Aug 1941	Time?	La Pallice		Exercises at Le Pertuis d'Antioche.
	Zappetta, Elio	4 Aug 1941	Time?	La Pallice	4 Aug 1941	Time?	La Pallice		Exercises at Le Pertuis d'Antioche.
7	Zappetta, Elio	8 Aug 1941	2055	La Pallice	22 Aug 1941	0800	La Spezia	2758,5	Passage La Pallice-La Spezia and Atlantic patrol. Passed Gibraltar on 17th August 1941. Zappetta's argument that a number of his men were not in good physical conditions because of the long patrols, was refuted by Admiral Parona, who pointed out that they benefitted from a long rest between patrols. Refit until October 1941.
		10 Aug 1941	1558	42° 20'N, 12° 16'W	At 1558 hours, an aircraft was sighted and Veniero immediately dived and remained submerged until 1750 hours.
		11 Aug 1941	1855	45° 15'N, 10° 26'W	At 1855 hours, an aircraft was sighted and Veniero immediately dived and remained submerged until 2100 hours.
		12 Aug 1941	1000	40° 21'N, 12° 20'W	Veniero was infomed that a convoy had been reported and that Finzi and Marconi were ordered to intercept. Zappetta, who was bringing his submarine back to Italy, took the initiative to join the chase as she was in a good position. The submarine altered course to 220°, intending to intercept in 39°16' N, 13°25' W. However, at 1530 hours, Veniero received a signal from BETASOM, ordering her to 39°05' N, 13°15' W.
		12 Aug 1941	1705	39° 23'N, 13° 05'W	At 1705 hours, an aircraft was seen. Veniero dived but was not attacked. She surfaced at 2055 hours and reached the position (39°05' N, 13°15' W) ordered by BETASOM at 2150 hours.
		13 Aug 1941	0100	39° 05'N, 13° 55'W (0) Italian Grid 5191/61.	At 0100 hours, a convoy of about ten ships was sighted at a distance of 8-9,000 metres steering 300° at 7 knots (probably H.G.70). One vessel was around 8,000 tons but the others were mostly of medium size,. Veniero made an enemy report at 0126 hours and attempted to penetrate the convoy. At 0305 hours, a signal from BETASOM was deciphered, ordering the submarine to transmit, starting at 0230 hours, a homing signal every 30 minutes to allow other submarines to locate the convoy. This was too late to comply as, at 0318 hours, a destroyer was sighted at 2,000 meters rushing toward her and she was forced to submerge. When she surfaced at 0505 hours, she had lost contact.
		13 Aug 1941	0515	39° 15'N, 14° 00'W (0) Approximately.	At 0515 hours, a submarine was seen and the Veniero turned away.
		13 Aug 1941	0807 0706 (e)	38° 58'N, 14° 04'W (e) 39° 12'N, 13° 49'W	At 0807 hours, an aircraft was suddenly observed flying low from a bank of clouds. There was no time to dive. The aircraft, identified as a seaplane of the Consolidate 28 type (Catalina), started strafing the submarine. Veniero was missed and turned to present her stern, while replying with her Breda guns, claiming several hits. At 0820 hours, as the aircraft was at a distance, the submarine seized the opportunity to crash dive. As she reached a depth of 58 metres, she was shaken by an explosion which caused some damage. Once Veniero reached a depth of 100 metres, she escaped further attacks. The attack had been carried out by Catalina 'A' (W8410) of 202 Squadron, piloted by Squadron Leader G.P. Harger. It had begun by strafing the submarine, but had itself sustained a few hits although without serious damage. Two depth charges were released on the submarine after it had submerged, but one failed to explode. Less than an hour later, the same aircraft attacked U-93 (KL Claus Korth). The U-boat suffered no damage. Veniero passed the Straits of Gibraltar on 17th August without incident, only sighting the light of a patrol vessel at 0207 hours .
	Zappetta, Elio	17 Oct 1941	0805	La Spezia	17 Oct 1941	1805	La Spezia	75,5	Trials with the submarines Malachite and Platino, escorted by MAS 572 and the auxiliary Capodistria.
	Zappetta, Elio	21 Oct 1941	0710	La Spezia	21 Oct 1941	2205	La Spezia	113,5	Trials.
	Zappetta, Elio	24 Oct 1941	0710	La Spezia	24 Oct 1941	1740	La Spezia	85	Trials, escorted by the auxiliary Capodistria.
	Zappetta, Elio	27 Oct 1941	1335	La Spezia	27 Oct 1941	1745	La Spezia	5,5	Gyrocompass tests.
	Zappetta, Elio	28 Oct 1941	0802	La Spezia	28 Oct 1941	1855	La Spezia	82,5	Exercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Crotone and Capodistria. Returned with the submarine H.6, escorted by the auxiliary Torre Annunziata.
	Zappetta, Elio	1 Nov 1941	0807	La Spezia	1 Nov 1941	1620	La Spezia	51	Exercises.
	Zappetta, Elio	3 Nov 1941	0738	La Spezia	3 Nov 1941	0938	La Spezia	16	Exercises.
	Zappetta, Elio	4 Nov 1941	0750	La Spezia	4 Nov 1941	1402	La Spezia	15	Exercises, escorted by the tug Santantioco.
	Zappetta, Elio	5 Nov 1941	2210	La Spezia	7 Nov 1941	0952	Naples	353	Passage La Spezia-Naples.
8	Zappetta, Elio	11 Nov 1941	2010	Naples	16 Nov 1941	1231	Naples	1054	Patrolled between 41°30'N and 41°45'N, 08°10'E and Corsican coast. Uneventful.
	Zappetta, Elio	24 Nov 1941	0936	La Spezia	24 Nov 1941	1736	La Spezia	52	Exercises.
	Zappetta, Elio	27 Nov 1941	0903	La Spezia	27 Nov 1941	1658	La Spezia	55	Exercises.
	Zappetta, Elio	4 Dec 1941	1603	Naples	6 Dec 1941	0920	Taranto	513	Passage Naples-Taranto with the submarine Mocenigo. They were to proceed on the surface at 12 knots via Cape Palinuro (2345/4), Cape Suvero (0630/5), Cape Peloro (1030/5), Cape Colonne (2330/5) and point M.2 (Taranto) at 0800/6.
9	Zappetta, Elio	9 Dec 1941	0659	Taranto	13 Dec 1941	1837	Taranto	1069	Patrolled southeast of Malta between 34°00'N and 34°40'N, and between 15°20'E and 16°00'E.
		12 Dec 1941	0915	35° 12'N, 17° 24'E	At 0915 hours, a derelict mine was sighted.
		12 Dec 1941	0920	35° 12'N, 17° 24'E (0) Approximately.	At 0920 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		12 Dec 1941	1110	35° 19'N, 17° 21'E	At 1110 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		12 Dec 1941	1414	35° 33'N, 17° 23'E	At 1414 hours, a derelict mine was sighted.
	Zappetta, Elio	15 Dec 1941	0807	Taranto	15 Dec 1941	1059	Taranto	12,4	Exercises.
	Zappetta, Elio	18 Dec 1941	0943	Taranto	18 Dec 1941	1237	Taranto	13	Exercises.
10	Zappetta, Elio	19 Dec 1941	1313	Taranto	23 Dec 1941	1915	Bardia		Supply mission to Bardia (6 tons of ammunition, 38 tons of food supplies). Uneventful except for several sightings of aircraft. The submarine arrived at Bardia at 1340 hours on the 23rd and stayed on the bottom at a depth of 55 meters waiting until dark to unload her cargo. British Intelligence was informed of her arrival through ULTRA decrypt.
10b	Zappetta, Elio	24 Dec 1941	0335	Bardia	28 Dec 1941	0909	Suda	1258,5	Return trip from supply mission to Bardia (with twelve British PoWs and eight wounded Germans) via 34°34'N, 23°38'E [mileage is from 18th December].
		27 Dec 1941	2220	(0) Near Suda.	At 2220 hours, the submarine Mocenigo was observed proceeding westward.
		28 Dec 1941	2250	(0) Suda Bay.	Veniero was at anchor at Suda Bay, awaiting the arrival of the auxiliary Barletta bringing stores for Libya. At 2250 hours, during an raid, a bomb fell about 70 metres from the submarine causing minor damages.
11	Zappetta, Elio	1 Jan 1942	1740	Suda	4 Jan 1942	0755	Suda	293	Supply mission to Bardia (1985 cases of provisions), aborted when the town fell. At 1939 hours on the 2nd, the submarine received the order to turn back and returned to Suda. Uneventful.
11b	Zappetta, Elio	8 Jan 1942	1718	Suda	11 Jan 1942	1545	Taranto	441	Return trip from aborted supply mission to Bardia. Uneventful. Then refit until the end of February 1942.
	Zappetta, Elio	28 Feb 1942	0845	Taranto	28 Feb 1942	1425	Taranto	26,7	Trials, escorted by Germanello.
	Zappetta, Elio	3 Mar 1942	0850	Taranto	3 Mar 1942	1830	Taranto	103	Exercises.
12	Zappetta, Elio	4 Mar 1942	1947	Taranto	13 Mar 1942	1012	Messina	1125,2	Patrolled east of Malta, between 36°20'N and 36°40'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E. From 11th May, she shifted to area between 35°20'N and 35°40'N, and between 15°20'E and 15°40'E. Uneventful. Heard only H.E.
	Zappetta, Elio	18 Mar 1942	0835	Messina	18 Mar 1942	1642	Messina	93,5	Trials, escorted by the auxiliary Marras.
13	Zappetta, Elio	29 Mar 1942	1950	Messina	18 Apr 1942	1020	Cagliari	2885,5	Patrolled south of Balearic Islands and north of Algeria, between 38°20'N and 38°40'N, and between 02°20'E and 03°20'E. On 9th April ordered to area between 37°00'N and 37°20'N, and between 02°20'E and 03°00'E, patrolled in zone B. On 13th April, she was ordered by MARICOSOM to patrol in Grids 3718 and 0318. The submarine's hydrophones did not work properly.
		2 Apr 1942	2100	38° 29'N, 3° 20'E	At 2100 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted at 8,000 metres. She appeared to be neutral and was not disturbed.
		7 Apr 1942	2219	38° 25'N, 2° 58'E	At 2219 hours, in poor visibility, an aircraft suddenly appeared above the submarine at a distance of 400 metres. Veniero slowed down so that the phosphorescence of her wake could not be seen and although the aircraft apparently circled, the submarine escaped detection.
		8 Apr 1942	2108	38° 20'N, 3° 22'E	At 2108 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted at 6,000 metres. It was apparently proceeding to Algeria and was not disturbed.
		9 Apr 1942	0330	38° 05'N, 3° 14'E	At 0330 hours, an illuminated vessel was sighted at 8,000 metres, apparently proceeding northward. She was apparently neutral and was not disturbed.
		11 Apr 1942	0527	37° 06'N, 2° 30'E	At 0527 hours, an illuminated ship was seen proceeding on a 082° course. It was believed to be the Swedish hospital ship Sicilia (1,633 GRT, built 1933) and she had been announced.
	Zappetta, Elio	8 May 1942	0825	Cagliari	8 May 1942	1155	Cagliari		Exercises.
	Zappetta, Elio	14 May 1942	0710	Cagliari	14 May 1942	0915	Cagliari		Exercises.
14	Zappetta, Elio	17 May 1942	1805	Cagliari	9 Jun 1942	Date?	Sunk with all hands		Patrolled north of Algiers or off Balearic Islands, between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 02°40'E and 03°20'E. But the same evening, a signal from MARICOSOM made a partial modification to the order by placing her in in Grids 7337 and 7381 [ca. 37°30'N, 03°00'E]. A signal of 1630 hours on 18th mentioned two aircraft carriers, a cruiser and a number of destroyers on course 050°, 20 knots in Grid 9731/4. Another signal at 1745 hours on the 18th, informed her that an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and five destroyers were reported on course 090°, 16 knots in Grid 8175/5 (37°45'N, 03°05'E). At 0950/19, the force was successively reported in (1) 36°50'N, 00°10'E (2) 36°50'N, 00°30'E (3)36°50'N, 00°50'E (Grids 2748, 2772, 2793) on course 270°. At 2339 hours on 28th May, she was ordered to move 50 miles East and 10 miles North [ca. 37°40'N, 04°00'E]. At 1625 hours on the 29th, she signalled she had located the enemy [she may have sighted the light cruiser HMS Charybdis and the destroyers HMS Westcott and HMS Wrestler who were searching for the submarine Argo, but it is not sure if they went that far east]. At 2330 hours on the 29th, she sent another signal which was indecipherable. Then was heard no more. At 1402 hours on the 30th, MARICOSOM ordered her to Grids 1163 and 1189. At 1857 hours on 7th June, she was ordered to report her position but did not answer. At 0208 hours on 8th June, MARICOSOM advised her that she might meet the next morning Velella and Zaffiro. Lost, cause unknown (six officers and fifty-two ratings killed).
		29 May 1942	0733B (e)	(e) 37° 09'N, 0° 47'E	At 0733B hours, a British aircraft in transit sighted a submarine without reporting her course or speed. Could this have been Veniero? This was not considered to be the submarine hunted by Charybdis the previous day.
		9 Jun 1942	1645 (e)	37° 46'N, 0° 36'E	At 1645 hours, a Sunderland sighted a U-boat. It dived before an attack could be carried out. Could this have been Veniero?

87 entries. 52 total patrol entries (14 marked as war patrols) and 47 events.

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