Italian submarines in World War Two
Italian Commanders
Renato Ferrini
| Born | 31 Aug 1912 | La Spezia | |
| Died | 26 Sep 1944 | (32) | Baverno (Novara) killed during an air raid |
| Ranks
Decorations
|
Career information
From 05.05.1940, served at Marinaccad.SERPENTE (T.V. C.O.): from 18.06.1941 to 01.12.1941.
AXUM (T.V. C.O.): from 03.12.1941 to 10.05.1943.
Promoted to C.C. ca. February 1943.
AMBRA (C.C. C.O.): from 21.05.43 to 09.09.1943 (scuttled, Ferrini survived).
GRONGO (C.C. C.O.): August 1943? to 09.09.1943 (scuttled, Ferrini survived).
Commands listed for Renato Ferrini
| Submarine | Type | Rank | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | Coastal / Sea going | T.V. | 18 Jun 1941 | 1 Dec 1941 |
| Axum (AX) | Coastal / Sea going | T.V. | 3 Dec 1941 | 10 May 1943 |
| Ambra (AM) | Coastal / Sea going | C.C. | 21 May 1943 | 9 Sep 1943 |
Ships hit by Renato Ferrini
| Date | Submarine | Ship hit | Type | GRT | Nat. | Loss type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 12 Aug 1942 | Axum | HMS Nigeria | Light cruiser | 8,530 |  | Damaged |
| 2. | 12 Aug 1942 | Axum | HMS Cairo | Anti-arcraft cruiser | 4,290 | | Sunk |
| 3. | 12 Aug 1942 | Axum | Ohio | Tanker | 9,264 | | Damaged |
War patrols listed for Renato Ferrini
| Submarine | Date | Time | Port | Arr. date | Arr. time | Arr. port | Miles | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 7 Jul 1941 | 1200 | Naples | 7 Jul 1941 | 2030 | Naples | 38,7 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 12 Jul 1941 | 0900 | Naples | 12 Jul 1941 | 1730 | Naples | 24,2 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 13 Jul 1941 | 0900 | Naples | 13 Jul 1941 | 1700 | Naples | 31,1 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 15 Jul 1941 | 0750 | Naples | 15 Jul 1941 | 1255 | Naples | 27,9 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 20 Jul 1941 | 0805 | Naples | 20 Jul 1941 | 1410 | Naples | 25 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 22 Jul 1941 | 0810 | Naples | 22 Jul 1941 | 1730 | Naples | 30 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 27 Jul 1941 | 0745 | Naples | 27 Jul 1941 | 1545 | Naples | 41 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 28 Jul 1941 | 0720 | Naples | 28 Jul 1941 | 1920 | Naples | 88 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 29 Jul 1941 | 1725 | Naples | 30 Jul 1941 | 0050 | Naples | 28 | Exercises. | ||
| 1. | Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 31 Jul 1941 | 1055 | Naples | 6 Aug 1941 | 0810 | Naples | 840,5 | Patrolled west of La Galite, within 10 miles from 37°40'N, 08°30'E on the meridian. This was the first mission of T.V. Ferrini, fresh from Mariscuolasom (Submarine Training School). | |
| 2 Aug 1941 | 0020 | 38° 00'N, 8° 55'E | At 0020 hours, an enemy submarine was sighted on an opposite course, at a distance of 2,000 metres. This was almost certainly HMS Talisman proceeding from Malta to Gibraltar. Serpente submerged but lost contact. | |||||||
| 3 Aug 1941 | 1335 | At 1335 hours, Serpente was informed of a convoy of eight ships in 350° - Cape Blanc - 22 miles on course 270°, 10 knots and was ordered to intercept. Nothing was sighted. | ||||||||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 9 Aug 1941 | 1433 | Naples | 9 Aug 1941 | 1903 | Naples | Exercises (not in Specchio). | |||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 13 Aug 1941 | 0610 | Naples | 14 Aug 1941 | 1310 | Cagliari | 262 | Passage Naples-Cagliari. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 17 Aug 1941 | 0735 | Naples | 17 Aug 1941 | 1145 | Cagliari | 1,38 | Exercises? | ||
| 2. | Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 22 Aug 1941 | 1625 | Cagliari | 27 Aug 1941 | 2130 | Cagliari | 582 | Patrolled in western Mediterranean, on parallel 38°00'N between 05°00'E and 06°00'E, on a patrol line with Alagi. | |
| 26 Aug 1941 | 0815 | 38° 02'N, 5° 45'E | At 0815 hours, an aircraft, probably a seaplane, was sighted 4-5,000 metres. It came toward Serpente who was at periscope depth and went deeper. | |||||||
| 3. | Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 2 Sep 1941 | 2250 | Cagliari | 12 Sep 1941 | 1030 | Cagliari | 961 | Sailed with Alagi for a patrol in 38°00'N, 06°00'E to westward, to intercept a force from Gibraltar. From 4th September, she patrolled between 00°00'E to 04°00'E, about 15-20 miles from the Algerian coast. | |
| 5 Sep 1941 | 1355 | (0) Off Cape Caxine. | At 1355 hours, a steamer was sighted at 15,000 metres steering 227°. Shortly after, a second steamer was sighted at 13,000 metres, steering 090°. Serpente lost contact with the first one, then closed the second ship at 1650 hours, at a distance of 1,000 meters. She was identified as the Vichy French Sainte Germaine (1,626 GRT, built 1919). | |||||||
| 5 Sep 1941 | 2003 | (0) Off Cape Caxine. | At 2003 hours, a 5-6000-ton tanker was sighted steering a southerly course at 12-13 knots. At 2200 hours, Serpente had closed to 1,500 meters and identified her as French. | |||||||
| 8 Sep 1941 | 0740 | (0) North of Cape Ténès. | At 0740 hours, a 700-800-ton steamer was sighted at 10-11,000, metres, steering 250° course. Serpente broke off the approach when the vessel was sighted in the process of entering Ténès harbour. Other vessels, all apparently French, were also sighted. | |||||||
| 4. | Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 17 Sep 1941 | 0050 | Cagliari | 17 Sep 1941 | 2340 | Cagliari | 252 | Sailed for patrol within 10 miles from 39°00'N, 04°30'E on the parallel, but then ordered back. | |
| 17 Sep 1941 | 1240 | At 1240 hours, the submarine Diaspro was sighted at 8-9,000 metres, steering on an opposite course. Serpente received the recall order only at 1315 hours. | ||||||||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 22 Sep 1941 | 0700 | Cagliari | 22 Sep 1941 | 1240 | Cagliari | 26,05 | Exercises with the submarines Adua and Turchese escorted by the torpedo boat Abba and minesweeper Balear. | ||
| 5. | Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 25 Sep 1941 | 1830 | Cagliari | 2 Oct 1941 | 1120 | Cagliari | 819 | Sailed for patrol with submarines Axum, Aradam and Diaspro, between 39°30'N and 40°10'N, and between 06°00'E and 06°20'E. From 27th September, ordered to area between 37°50'N and 38°10'N, and between 06°00'E and 06°20'E. | |
| 29 Sep 1941 | 1642 1645 (e) | 37° 22'N, 6° 16'E (0) Italian Grid 6677/6. | At 1430 hours, Serpente was informed of the presence of an enemy naval force (this was the HALBERD convoy). Because of the heavy rain, the submarine dived to 30 meteres to get better acoustic conditions for her hydrophones. At 1540 hours, nothing could be heard and the submarine returned to periscope depth. At 1618 hours, the upper works of what appeared to be a battleship were seen at 10,000 metres. At 1640 hours, the formation identified as a battleship and four destroyers was attacked. Serpente fired two stern torpedoes at less than 1,000 metres at a JAVELIN class destroyer as the battleship was not in a good position for attack. At the same time, a destroyer was sighted at 1,300-1,500 metres suddenly turning toward the submarine who crash-dived. An explosion was heard after 40-50 seconds leading T.V. Ferrini to believe he had scored a hit. Serpente was depth charged between 1703-1722 hours. Her tormentor was the destroyer HMS Lively who dropped 14 depth charges at 1705 hours and was assisted by HMS Legion for the A/S hunt. The submarine had escaped by going down to 100 metres and stopping her machines. She surfaced at 1945 hours to find that the enemy was gone. | |||||||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 14 Oct 1941 | 1220 | Cagliari | 14 Oct 1941 | 1440 | Cagliari | 16,4 | Exercises. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 15 Oct 1941 | 1215 | Cagliari | 15 Oct 1941 | 1755 | Cagliari | 43 | Exercises. | ||
| 6. | Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 16 Oct 1941 | 2350 | Cagliari | 21 Oct 1941 | 1115 | Cagliari | 486 | Sailed with the submarines Alagi, Aradam, Turchese and Diaspro for patrol north of Cape de Fer, between 37°30'N and 37°40'N, and between 06°40'E and 07°20'E. | |
| 17 Oct 1941 | 1050 | 38° 02'N, 8° 00'E | At 1050 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 10-11,000 metres and the submarine dived. | |||||||
| 20 Oct 1941 | 1616 1519 (e) | 37° 51'N, 6° 45'E | At 1616 hours, three destroyers were sighted at 10-11,000 metres. Serpente went deep. These were the light cruisers HMS Aurora and HMS Penelope and the destroyers HMS Lance and HMS Lively (Force K) proceeding to Malta. They had sighted the submarine at a distance of 12 miles. | |||||||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 7 Nov 1941 | 0800 | Cagliari | 7 Nov 1941 | 1315 | Cagliari | 25 | Exercises, escorted by the minesweeper Balear. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 11 Nov 1941 | 0805 | Cagliari | 11 Nov 1941 | 1215 | Cagliari | 20 | Exercises, escorted by the minesweeper Balear. | ||
| 7. | Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 11 Nov 1941 | 1945 | Cagliari | 16 Nov 1941 | 1900 | Cagliari | 652 | Patrolled between 41°45'N and 42°00'N, 08°10'E and the Corsican coast. Sighted only an illuminated vessel. | |
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 24 Nov 1941 | 0620 | Cagliari | 25 Nov 1941 | 1645 | Naples | 281 | Passage Cagliari-Naples. | ||
| Serpente (ex-Nautilus) (SE) | 28 Nov 1941 | 1020 | Naples | 28 Nov 1941 | 1505 | Naples | Exercises. | |||
| Axum (AX) | 14 Dec 1941 | 0730 | Cagliari | 14 Dec 1941 | 1655 | Cagliari | 78 | Exercises. | ||
| 8. | Axum (AX) | 18 Dec 1941 | 2039 | Cagliari | 25 Dec 1941 | 1600 | Cagliari | 671 | Patrolled off Cape Bougaroni between 37°30'N and 38°30'N, and between 06°40'E and 06°50'E. Uneventful. Heard only H.E. | |
| 9. | Axum (AX) | 1 Jan 1942 | 2048 | Cagliari | 8 Jan 1942 | 1340 | Cagliari | 1098 | Patrolled between Malta and Pantelleria, between 34°40'N and 35°00'N, and between 14°00'E and 14°40'E, on a barrage line with Turchese, Alagi and Aradam Uneventful. | |
| 4 Jan 1942 | 0220 | 35° 00'N, 13° 22'E | At 0220 hours, a submarine was sighted at a distance of 4,000 metres, steering 110-120°. Axum dived and lost contact. | |||||||
| Axum (AX) | 15 Jan 1942 | 1250 | Cagliari | 15 Jan 1942 | 1725 | Cagliari | 28 | Trials, escorted by the auxiliary Salvore. | ||
| 10. | Axum (AX) | 28 Jan 1942 | 1225 | Cagliari | 28 Jan 1942 | 1910 | Cagliari | 47 | Sailed for patrol between 38°00'N and 38°30'N, and between 06°20'E and 06°30'E, with Alagi, Aradam, Turchese and Brin, but then recalled. | |
| Axum (AX) | 3 Feb 1942 | 0750 | Cagliari | 3 Feb 1942 | 1215 | Cagliari | 25 | Exercises. | ||
| 11. | Axum (AX) | 9 Feb 1942 | 1457 | Cagliari | 21 Feb 1942 | 0845 | Cagliari | 946,5 | Patrolled north of Cape Bougaroni, between 37°30'N and 38°00'N, and between 06°20'E and 06°30'E, on a barrage line with Turchese and Aradam. | |
| 10 Feb 1942 | 1410 | At 1410 hours, information was received of an enemy cruiser and a destroyer sighted at 1215 hours in Italian Grid 6291/5 (32 miles NE of Cape Bengut), steering 090°, 20 knots. Axum proceeded submerged southward and at 1710 hours received a new signal and continued south. | ||||||||
| 12. | Axum (AX) | 27 Feb 1942 | 1250 | Cagliari | 4 Mar 1942 | 1000 | Cagliari | 620 | Patrolled off Algerian coast, patrolled between 37°10'N and 37°20'N, and between 05°20'E and 06°20'E, on a barrage line with Brin, Turchese and Aradam. Uneventful. | |
| 2 Mar 1942 | 0145 | 37° 16'N, 6° 20'E | At 0145 hours, an aircraft of the Consolidated type was seen at a distance of 2,000 metres. | |||||||
| Axum (AX) | 7 Mar 1942 | 1400 | Cagliari | 9 Mar 1942 | 1055 | La Spezia | 396 | Passage Cagliari-La Spezia. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 11 Mar 1942 | 1100 | La Spezia | 11 Mar 1942 | 1650 | Genoa | 54,2 | Passage La Spezia-Genoa. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 16 May 1942 | 0915 | Genoa | 16 May 1942 | 1120 | Genoa | 5 | Trials after refit. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 17 May 1942 | 0815 | Genoa | 17 May 1942 | 1630 | Genoa | 43,7 | Trials. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 19 May 1942 | 0855 | Genoa | 19 May 1942 | 1600 | La Spezia | 58,5 | Passage Genoa-La Spezia. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 24 May 1942 | 0815 | La Spezia | 24 May 1942 | 1600 | La Spezia | 50 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 25 May 1942 | 0800 | La Spezia | 25 May 1942 | 1630 | La Spezia | 38 | Exercises, escorted by the torpedo boat La Masa and the auxiliaries Rimini and Mesco. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 26 May 1942 | 0900 | La Spezia | 26 May 1942 | 1510 | La Spezia | 29 | Exercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Rimini and Mesco. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 27 May 1942 | 1950 | La Spezia | 28 May 1942 | 0035 | La Spezia | 28 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 28 May 1942 | 0945 | La Spezia | 28 May 1942 | 1840 | La Spezia | 29,5 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 30 May 1942 | 0800 | La Spezia | 30 May 1942 | 1740 | La Spezia | 4 | Gyrocompass tests. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 2 Jun 1942 | 1100 | La Spezia | 4 Jun 1942 | 1400 | Messina | 511 | Passage La Spezia-Messina. | ||
| 4 Jun 1942 | 0620 | 38° 52'N, 14° 51'E | At 0620 hours, a periscope was sighted. Axum turned away. | |||||||
| 13. | Axum (AX) | 8 Jun 1942 | 0930 | Messina | 8 Jun 1942 | 1715 | Augusta | 79 | Sailed for patrol between 35°20'N and 35°40'N, and between 15°40'E and 16°00'E, but then ordered to Augusta to await orders. | |
| Axum (AX) | 10 Jun 1942 | 0515 | Augusta | 10 Jun 1942 | 1230 | Messina | 78 | Passage Augusta-Messina. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 13 Jun 1942 | 0815 | Messina | 13 Jun 1942 | 1215 | Messina | 16 | Exercises. | ||
| 14. | Axum (AX) | 14 Jun 1942 | 0935 | Messina | 18 Jun 1942 | 1830 | Augusta | 569 | Patrolled south of Malta, between 34°40'N and 35°00'N, and between 14°20'E and 14°40'E, on a barrage line with Platino, escorted out by the torpedo boat Abba until 1710 hours on the 14th. Uneventful. | |
| Axum (AX) | 19 Jun 1942 | 1200 | Augusta | 19 Jun 1942 | 2210 | Augusta | 111,2 | Sailed for Messina, but then ordered back. | ||
| 15. | Axum (AX) | 20 Jun 1942 | 2015 | Augusta | 25 Jun 1942 | 1945 | Messina | 559,5 | Patrolled west of Malta, between 35°30'N and 35°50'N, and between 13°00'E and 13°20'E. | |
| 23 Jun 1942 | 2045 | At 2045 hours, information was received that a tanker was sighted off Ras Mahmour (Tunisia) proceeding to Malta. Axum altered course to 045°, to intercept. Shortly after, an amplified report was received that the tanker was on course 100° at 9 knots, but nothing was sighted. | ||||||||
| Axum (AX) | 1 Jul 1942 | 1800 | Messina | 3 Jul 1942 | 0725 | Cagliari | 356 | Passage Messina-Cagliari. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 9 Jul 1942 | 0830 | Cagliari | 9 Jul 1942 | 1420 | Cagliari | 27 | Exercises. | ||
| 16. | Axum (AX) | 15 Jul 1942 | 0230 | Cagliari | 20 Jul 1942 | 1325 | Cagliari | 474 | Patrolled east of La Galite, between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and between 10°00'E and 10°20'E. Sighted several French ships. | |
| 15 Jul 1942 | 2000 | (0) 12° - La Galite Island - 5.5 miles. | At 1940 hours, an enemy ship was sighted at distance of 8,000 metres, steering 120°. It was identified as a cruiser, proceeding at 20 knots. At 2000 hours, three torpedoes were fired from bow tubes at a distance of 1,800-2,000 metres. They missed. Axum dived and reached the bottom at 50 metres. She returned to periscope depth at 2020 hours, but sighted nothing. This was most probably the minelayer HMS Welshman on her way to Malta where she arrived at dawn the following day. | |||||||
| 17. | Axum (AX) | 29 Jul 1942 | 1818 | Cagliari | 9 Aug 1942 | 1246 | Trapani | 859 | Patrolled north of the Tunisian coast, between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and 09°20'E and 09°40'E, off Ras Agheila and Cape Blanc. Sighted many French ships. Uneventful. | |
| 18. | Axum (AX) | 11 Aug 1942 | 1840 | Trapani | 15 Aug 1942 | 1005 | Trapani | 364 | Patrolled off Bizerta against PEDESTAL convoy, between 37°20'N and 38°00'N, and between 10°00'E and 10°40'E, on a barrage line Axum, Alagi, Ascianghi and Dessiè. | |
| 12 Aug 1942 | 1955 1956 (e) | 37° 36'N, 10° 22'E | At 1821 hours, a vessel was sighted, which was thought to be a large steamer or perhaps an aircraft carrier. Axum dived to close. At 1927 hours, a look through the periscope revealed the enemy formation at a distance of 8,000 metres, steering 110°. At 1955 hours, four torpedoes were fired from the bow tubes, at distances varying from 1,300 to 1,800 metres. The submarine went deep. After 63 seconds an explosion was heard, followed by two more after 90 seconds. It was one of the most outstanding attacks of the war. The light cruiser HMS Nigeria was the first hit and badly damaged (fifty-four killed or missing, two wounded). The light cruiser HMS Cairo had her stern blown off (twenty-three killed or missing). The destroyer HMS Pathfinder and the escort destroyer HMS Derwent finished her off with torpedoes and she sank at 2135 hours (twenty-nine officers and 383 ratings were taken off including eight wounded). The American tanker Ohio (9.264 GRT, built 1940) was badly damaged, but her saga was just beginning and by incredible feats of courage, she would reach Malta, bringing badly needed relief. Axum had reached a depth of 65 metres when she was first depth charged, she escaped damage by going down to 100-120 metres. The submarine surfaced at 2250 hours to witness three vessels on fire. She later received the order to finish off the stragglers, but had no opportunity to do so. | |||||||
| Axum (AX) | 24 Aug 1942 | 1500 | Trapani | 24 Aug 1942 | 1900 | Trapani | 27 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 9 Sep 1942 | 0800 | Trapani | 9 Sep 1942 | 1250 | Trapani | 21 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 6 Oct 1942 | 0800 | Trapani | 6 Oct 1942 | 1200 | Trapani | 22 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 9 Oct 1942 | 0800 | Trapani | 9 Oct 1942 | 1150 | Trapani | 21 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 19 Oct 1942 | 0740 | Trapani | 19 Oct 1942 | 1130 | Trapani | 21 | Exercises. | ||
| 19. | Axum (AX) | 24 Oct 1942 | 1755 | Trapani | 12 Nov 1942 | 1400 | Trapani | 2027 | Patrolled in the western Mediterranean, between 38°10'N and 38°40'N, and between 02°20'E and 02°40'E. On 6th November, she was moved 20 miles to the south and later 60 miles south. | |
| 26 Oct 1942 | 1130 | 37° 15'N, 4° 40'E | At 1130 hours, an Italian aircraft was seen and exchanged recognition signals. | |||||||
| 7 Nov 1942 | 1505 | 37° 25'N, 2° 25'E (0) Approximately. | At 1505 hours, a corvette was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres, apparently on an A/S search. Axum turned northward to move away. | |||||||
| 7 Nov 1942 | 1700 | 37° 25'N, 2° 25'E | At 1700 hours, two corvettes were sighted at a distance of 1,000 metres. Axum dived to 50 meters and heard the explosions of four depth-charges. | |||||||
| 8 Nov 1942 | 2100 | 37° 48'N, 2° 20'E | At 2100 hours, two corvettes were sighted at distances of 800 and 1,000 metres. Axum took evading action and heard depth-charges in the distance. | |||||||
| 9 Nov 1942 | 0300 | 38° 00'N, 2° 20'E | At 0300 hours, two corvettes were observed at a distance of 1,500 metres, apparently on an A/S hunt. Axum dived and heard depth-charges in the distance. | |||||||
| 11 Nov 1942 | 0915 | 38° 50'N, 7° 00'E | At 0915 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived. | |||||||
| Axum (AX) | 24 Nov 1942 | 1340 | Trapani | 24 Nov 1942 | 1659 | Trapani | 23 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 28 Nov 1942 | 1638 | Trapani | 29 Nov 1942 | 1648 | Naples | 254 | Passage Trapani-Naples. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 2 Jan 1943 | 0930 | Naples | 2 Jan 1943 | 1345 | Naples | 23,5 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 6 Jan 1943 | 0820 | Naples | 6 Jan 1943 | 1513 | Naples | 42,3 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 9 Jan 1943 | 0900 | Naples | 9 Jan 1943 | 1230 | Naples | 25 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 10 Jan 1943 | 1137 | Naples | 10 Jan 1943 | 1455 | Naples | 21 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 11 Jan 1943 | 1310 | Naples | 11 Jan 1943 | 1546 | Naples | 11 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 15 Jan 1943 | 0917 | Naples | 15 Jan 1943 | 1658 | Naples | 5 | Gyrocompass tests. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 16 Jan 1943 | 0820 | Naples | 16 Jan 1943 | 1143 | Naples | 5 | Gyrocompass tests. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 17 Jan 1943 | 1730 | Naples | 17 Jan 1943 | 2018 | Naples | 24 | Gyrocompass tests. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 18 Jan 1943 | 1530 | Naples | 19 Jan 1943 | 1749 | Augusta | 278 | Passage Naples-Augusta. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 22 Jan 1943 | 1328 | Augusta | 22 Jan 1943 | 1753 | Augusta | 24 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 26 Jan 1943 | 0830 | Augusta | 26 Jan 1943 | 1556 | Augusta | 11 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 4 Feb 1943 | 0832 | Augusta | 4 Feb 1943 | 1232 | Augusta | 24,5 | Exercises. | ||
| 20. | Axum (AX) | 7 Feb 1943 | 1620 | Augusta | 23 Feb 1943 | 0640 | Augusta | 1439,5 | Patrolled in the western Mediterranean between 32°40'N and 33°30'N, and between 15°00'E and 15°20'E. At 2000 hours on the 13th, she was ordered to an area between 32°10'N and 32°20'N, and between 15°50'E and 16°50'E. | |
| 14 Feb 1943 | 0203 | 32° 46'N, 15° 47'E | At 0203 hours, an aircraft was seen with a search light (probably a Leigh light) and the submarine dived. | |||||||
| 16 Feb 1943 | 0150 | 32° 22'N, 16° 25'E | At 0150 hours, hydrophone effects were heard, which seemed to indicate that a convoy was passing some 15 miles to the north of the submarine. Axum made an enemy report but could not make contact. | |||||||
| Axum (AX) | 12 Mar 1943 | 0812 | Augusta | 12 Mar 1943 | 1131 | Augusta | 22 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 14 Mar 1943 | 1535 | Augusta | 15 Mar 1943 | 1953 | Naples | 278 | Passage Augusta-Naples. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 18 Mar 1943 | 0045 | Naples | 19 Mar 1943 | 0720 | La Maddalena | 239 | Passage Naples-La Maddalena. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 27 Mar 1943 | 0954 | La Maddalena | 27 Mar 1943 | 1118 | La Maddalena | 4 | Exercises. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 29 Mar 1943 | 1000 | La Maddalena | 29 Mar 1943 | 1730 | La Maddalena | 30 | Exercises. | ||
| 21. | Axum (AX) | 3 Apr 1943 | 1624 | La Maddalena | 13 Apr 1943 | 1540 | La Maddalena | 1021 | Patrolled between 38°00'N and 38°40'N, and between 06°20'E and 07°00'E. Damaged in bad weather (Force 7). | |
| 4 Apr 1943 | 0905 | 40° 51'N, 6° 34'E | At 0905 hours, an Axis aircraft was sighted and exchanged recognition signals. | |||||||
| Axum (AX) | 14 Apr 1943 | 0710 | La Maddalena | 15 Apr 1943 | 0954 | La Spezia | 261 | Passage La Maddalena- La Spezia. | ||
| Axum (AX) | 16 Apr 1943 | 0800 | La Spezia | 16 Apr 1943 | 1445 | Genoa | 46 | Passage La Spezia-Genoa. Then refit in Genoa. | ||
| Ambra (AM) | 28 May 1943 | 1435 | La Spezia | 29 May 1943 | 0025 | La Spezia | 16,9 | Exercises. | ||
| 22. | Ambra (AM) | 2 Jun 1943 | 0920 | La Spezia | 7 Jun 1943 | 0655 | La Spezia | 450 | Sailed for area west of Bonifacio Strait for test with twelve Gamma combat swimmers, three M.T.R. and four operators. Escorted out by MAS 525? | |
| Ambra (AM) | 28 Jun 1943 | 0930 | La Spezia | 28 Jun 1943 | 1600 | La Spezia | 5 | Exercises. | ||
| Ambra (AM) | 2 Jul 1943 | 0820 | La Spezia | 3 Jul 1943 | 0100 | La Spezia | 70,7 | Exercises. | ||
| Ambra (AM) | 6 Jul 1943 | 1740 | La Spezia | 7 Jul 1943 | 1700 | La Spezia | 68,3 | Exercises. | ||
| Ambra (AM) | 11 Jul 1943 | 1350 | La Spezia | 12 Jul 1943 | 0100 | La Spezia | 7,7 | Exercises. | ||
| 23. | Ambra (AM) | 14 Jul 1943 | 1532 | La Spezia | 18 Jul 1943 | 1410 | Messina | Passage La Spezia-Messina, carrying three human torpedoes destined to force the harbour of Syracuse (also reported as three explosive boats to attack Augusta). At 2030 hours on the 16th, she met the torpedo boat Partenope in point M3 to escort her through the Strait of Messina. | ||
| 16 Jul 1943 | 2243 | 38° 23'N, 15° 46'E | At 2243 hours, an hospital ship was seen on opposite course. | |||||||
| 17 Jul 1943 | 0210-0215 0230 (e) | (0) South of San Rainieri Light (Strait of Messina). | At 0035 hours, Ambra was being escorted by the torpedo-boat Partenope, when they received the order to stop off Messina as the light cruiser Scipione Africano was expected to cross the Straits shortly. At 0210 hours, Scipione Africano was observed firing at unidentified naval targets. A vessel was set afire. This actually was MTB-316 . She was sunk and none of her eleven-men crew survived. MTB- 313 was hit and had one killed and one wounded. The MTBs claimed two torpedo hits on the cruiser, but Scipione Africano was undamaged. | |||||||
| 17 Jul 1943 | 2232 | 37° 28'N, 15° 58'E | At 2232 hours, five enemy vessels were sighted at a distance of 12,000 metres. Ambra had instructions not to reveal its presence until her special mission was accomplished and desisted from attacking. | |||||||
| 18 Jul 1943 | 0320 0320B (e) | At 0320 hours, an aircraft was sighted, which made a recognition signal before bombing the submarine with depth-charges. Ambra was straddled by seven or eight bombs, damaged by near-misses and had a few wounded. As she could no longer submerge, she was forced to abort her mission. She returned through the Strait of Messina escorted by the corvette Cicogna and the torpedo-boat Partenope who took her in tow part of the trip back to Naples. A submarine was reported lurking near them at 1915 hours on the 18th and the corvette Cicogna was detached to hunt it. Ambra and Partenope proceeded together to Naples. This was Wellington 'B' (HZ.116) of 221 Squadron piloted by Pilot Officer E. Austin. Post-war, this attack was initially credited to have sunk the submarine Romolo, although she was assessed at the time as "probably slightly damaged". The aircraft had detected the submarine from a range of 6 miles and made an attack by keeping the target in its moonpath. Five 250-lb depth charges set at 25 feet and three A/S 100-lb bombs were released from a height of 200 feet. The submarine was reported to have fired a short burst of machine gun fire as the aircraft flew away. It was not hit. The aircraft attempted to contact British destroyers known to be operating in the area, without success. | ||||||||
| 24. | Ambra (AM) | 18 Jul 1943 | 1715 | Messina | 19 Jul 1943 | 1850 | Naples | 799,5 | Passage Messina-Naples. | |
| 18 Jul 1943 | 0320 0320B (e) | At 0320 hours, an aircraft was sighted, which made a recognition signal before bombing the submarine with depth-charges. Ambra was straddled by seven or eight bombs, damaged by near-misses and had a few wounded. As she could no longer submerge, she was forced to abort her mission. She returned through the Strait of Messina escorted by the corvette Cicogna and the torpedo-boat Partenope who took her in tow part of the trip back to Naples. A submarine was reported lurking near them at 1915 hours on the 18th and the corvette Cicogna was detached to hunt it. Ambra and Partenope proceeded together to Naples. This was Wellington 'B' (HZ.116) of 221 Squadron piloted by Pilot Officer E. Austin. Post-war, this attack was initially credited to have sunk the submarine Romolo, although she was assessed at the time as "probably slightly damaged". The aircraft had detected the submarine from a range of 6 miles and made an attack by keeping the target in its moonpath. Five 250-lb depth charges set at 25 feet and three A/S 100-lb bombs were released from a height of 200 feet. The submarine was reported to have fired a short burst of machine gun fire as the aircraft flew away. It was not hit. The aircraft attempted to contact British destroyers known to be operating in the area, without success. | ||||||||
| Ambra (AM) | 25 Jul 1943 | 1400 | Naples | 27 Jul 1943 | 0445 | La Spezia | 390,5 | Passage Naples-La Spezia. Joined up with the steamer Saluzzo, escorted by the torpedo boats Ardito and Animoso who went to La Maddalena. Ambra left them at 1840 hours on the 26th, off Piombino. She was reported damaged more seriously than at first thought. It was proposed that following the entry in service of Murena (at the end of September) and Grongo (on 20th October 1943), she was to revert to ordinary submarine operations. | ||
| Grongo (GG) | 11 Aug 1943 | 0915 | La Spezia | 11 Aug 1943 | 1820 | La Spezia | Trials. | |||
| Grongo (GG) | 19 Aug 1943 | La Spezia | 19 Aug 1943 | La Spezia | Trials escorted by MAS 525. | |||||
| Ambra (AM) | 9 Sep 1943 | La Spezia | 9 Sep 1943 | Scuttled | Scuttled after armistice. | |||||
| Grongo (GG) | 9 Sep 1943 | La Spezia | 9 Sep 1943 | Scuttled | Scuttled (incomplete) after armistice. refloated by Germans and became UIT-20. | |||||
| 9 Sep 1943 | (0) La Spezia harbour. | At the Armistice, Grongo was unable to sail to join the Allies and was scuttled by her crew. She was later raised and became incorporated in the German Navy as UIT-20. | ||||||||
112 entries. 99 total patrol entries (24 marked as war patrols) and 32 events.