Italian submarines in World War Two

Italian Commanders


Bruno Pilli

Born  6 May 1904Venice
Died  9 Sep 1943(39)Killed in action on battleship ROMA

Ranks

  C.C.Capitano di Corvetta

Decorations

21 Sep 1945 Medaglia d'argento al valore militare (posthumous)

Career information

GALATEA (C.C. C.O): from 01.05.1940 to 11.12.1940.
LUCIANO MANARA (C.C. C.O): from 13.12.1940 to 17.01.1941.
MARCANTONIO COLONNA (C.C. C.O): from 18.01.1941 to 24.04.1942?
ANTONIO BAJAMONTI (C.C. C.O): from 23.02.1942 to 26.06.1942.
From 02.07.1942, Head of MARIANTISOM PIREO and leader of 4a Squadra M.S.
On 09.09.1943, was killed in action on the battleship ROMA.

Commands listed for Bruno Pilli


Submarine Type Rank From To
Galatea (GT, N.71)Coastal / Sea goingC.C.1 May 194011 Dec 1940
Luciana Manara (MR)Ocean goingC.C.13 Dec 194017 Jan 1941
Marcantonio Colonna (CN)Ocean goingC.C.18 Jan 194124 Apr 1942
Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)C.C.23 Feb 194226 Jun 1942

Ships hit by Bruno Pilli

No ships hit by this Commander.

War patrols listed for Bruno Pilli

 SubmarineDateTimePortArr. dateArr. timeArr. portMilesDescription
1.Galatea (GT, N.71)9 Jun 19400559Taranto11 Jun 19401430Tobruk282Was to patrol 100 miles east of Tobruk, but returned because of defects (fuel leaks and leak to the "Rapida", special ballast to accelerate the dive).
  10 Jun 19401500
(0) Probably off Sidi Barrani.
At 1500 hours, an enemy destroyer was observed through the periscope and Galatea went down to 40 metres, then to 80 metres, before stabilising at 65 metres. Her hydrophones indicated that five enemy destroyers were hunting from 1500 to 1900 hours. These were probably destroyers of the 2nd Flotilla, HMS Hyperion (D.2) with HMS Hero, HMS Havock, HMS Hostile, HMS Imperial, HMS Decoy, HMS Defender and HMAS Waterhen. They had sailed at 0400 hours to sweep the approaches to Alexandria as far as 25°40' E and were assisted by two Flying-boats of 201 Group.

Although Galatea was not attacked, she had to abort her mission due to defects.

Galatea (GT, N.71)12 Jun 1940Tobruk12 Jun 1940TobrukAt Tobruk during an air raid. One midshipman was wounded.
  12 Jun 19400340+
(0) Tobruk harbour.
At 0340 hours, there was an raid on Tobruk carried out by thirty-two Blenheim bombers from No. 202 Group. One bomb fell 50 meters astern of the submarine, midshipman Giuseppe Pizzorno was slightly wounded.

Galatea (GT, N.71)2 Aug 19401425Tobruk7 Aug 19401330Taranto690,5Passage Tobruk-Taranto via coastal route till Ras Aamer then direct to Santa Maria di Leuca.

Galatea (GT, N.71)11 Aug 19402158Taranto14 Aug 19400945Pola512Passage Taranto-Pola.

Galatea (GT, N.71)16 Aug 19400740Pola16 Aug 19401404Monfalcone76Passage Pola-Monfalcone with the submarine Fisalia for refit.

Galatea (GT, N.71)4 Oct 19401400Monfalcone4 Oct 19401855Monfalcone18,8Diving trials with Adua and Fisalia, escorted by tug Morrhua.

Galatea (GT, N.71)10 Oct 19400800Monfalcone10 Oct 19401700Pola69Passage Monfalcone-Pola.

Galatea (GT, N.71)14 Oct 19400705Pola14 Oct 19401930Pola59,8Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)24 Oct 19401400Pola24 Oct 19401815Pola32Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)25 Oct 19400800Pola25 Oct 19401140Pola23Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)25 Oct 19401515Pola25 Oct 19401815Pola21Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)26 Oct 19400850Pola26 Oct 19401700Pola87,5Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)27 Oct 19400745Pola27 Oct 19401710Pola97Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)2 Nov 19400800Pola2 Nov 19401720Pola80Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)5 Nov 19401040Pola5 Nov 19401724Monfalcone72Passage Pola-Monfalcone.

Galatea (GT, N.71)17 Nov 19400817Monfalcone17 Nov 19401215Monfalcone33Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)22 Nov 19400855Monfalcone22 Nov 19401515Monfalcone62Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)24 Nov 19400908Monfalcone24 Nov 19401546Pola71Passage Monfalcone-Pola.

Galatea (GT, N.71)27 Nov 19400800Pola27 Nov 19401430Pola10Gyrocompass tests.

Galatea (GT, N.71)2 Dec 19400910Pola2 Dec 19401800Fiume53Passage Pola-Fiume.

Galatea (GT, N.71)5 Dec 19400815Fiume5 Dec 19401435Fiume13Trials.

Galatea (GT, N.71)6 Dec 19400835Fiume6 Dec 19401332Pola52,5Passage Fiume-Pola.

Luciana Manara (MR)14 Dec 19400815Naples14 Dec 19401730Naples48Exercises.

Luciana Manara (MR)19 Dec 19400830Naples19 Dec 19401630Naples38Exercises.

Luciana Manara (MR)23 Dec 19400845Naples23 Dec 19401820Naples32Exercises.

Luciana Manara (MR)27 Dec 19400855Naples27 Dec 19401730Naples37Exercises.

Luciana Manara (MR)30 Dec 19400830Naples30 Dec 19401645Naples36Exercises.

Luciana Manara (MR)31 Dec 19401315Naples31 Dec 19401655Naples32Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)20 Jan 19410835Naples20 Jan 19411605Naples31,5Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)23 Jan 19411545Naples24 Jan 19411000Messina186Passage Naples-Messina.

2.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)30 Jan 19411144Messina2 Feb 19411900Messina450,3Patrolled southeast of Malta. Uneventful, one engine broke down.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)21 Feb 19410855Messina21 Feb 19411830Messina72Trials with the submarine Smeraldo escorted by the auxiliary Castiglia.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)22 Feb 19410815Messina22 Feb 19411620Messina101Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)26 Feb 19410800Messina26 Feb 19411810Messina66,5Exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Castiglia.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)2 Mar 19412300Messina4 Mar 19411830La Spezia499Passage Messina-La Spezia.

3.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)10 Mar 19412235La Spezia12 Mar 19411316La Spezia246,2Patrol in Gulf of Genoa. Uneventful.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)21 Mar 19410800La Spezia21 Mar 19411130La Spezia17,2Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)27 Mar 19411343La Spezia27 Mar 19411720La Spezia23Hydrophone exercises with the torpedo boat Climene.

4.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)3 Apr 19411335La Spezia5 Apr 19410952La Spezia309Patrol in Gulf of Genoa. Uneventful.

5.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)5 Apr 19412110La Spezia9 Apr 19410850La Spezia480Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa. Uneventful.

6.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)26 Apr 19411620La Spezia29 Apr 19410815Genoa357Sailed for patrol Gulf of Genoa. On a line, starting with submarine Colonna in 44°05'N, 08°40'E and with Da Procida and Ametista respectively 12 and 24 miles east from this point. On hydrophone watch in anticipation of an important naval force from Gibraltar. Uneventful.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)29 Apr 19411115Genoa29 Apr 19411745La Spezia317Passage Genoa-La Spezia.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)17 May 19411505La Spezia17 May 19411850La Spezia28,5Trials.

7.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)5 Jun 19411830La Spezia7 Jun 19412145La Spezia242,1Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa on parallel 44°10'N between 8°42'E and 9°28'E. Uneventful.

8.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)14 Jun 19412015La Spezia16 Jun 19410800La Spezia237,3Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa in 43°40'N, 08°43'E. Uneventful.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)20 Jun 19411500La Spezia20 Jun 19411730La Spezia18Trials.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)27 Jun 19410800La Spezia27 Jun 19411240La Spezia28Trials.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)28 Jun 19410800La Spezia28 Jun 19411315La Spezia25Trials.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)14 Jul 19412100La Spezia15 Jul 19410115La Spezia24Exercises, escorted by MAS 503.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)17 Jul 19410709La Spezia17 Jul 19411305La Spezia43,5Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)26 Jul 19412055La Spezia27 Jul 19410152La Spezia27Exercises.

9.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)1 Aug 19410050La Spezia4 Aug 19412030La Spezia453Patrolled in 44°12'N, 09°00'E. Sighted only neutral or Italian steamers.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)16 Aug 19412201La Spezia17 Aug 19410445La Spezia32Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)20 Aug 19410859La Spezia20 Aug 19411605La Spezia26Exercises, escorted by MAS 525.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)23 Aug 19410540La Spezia23 Aug 19411250La Spezia51,1Exercises.

10.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)23 Aug 19412050La Spezia26 Aug 19410730La Spezia504Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa on an 8-mile long line 257° from 44°02.5'N, 08°35'E. This was following a report that a strong naval force had sailed from Gibraltar. Uneventful.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)29 Aug 19410820La Spezia29 Aug 19411455La SpeziaExercises.

11.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)12 Sep 19411427La Spezia15 Sep 19410720La Spezia401,8Patrolled in the Gulf of Genoa in 44°16'N, 08°49'E, following a report of a British naval force from Gibraltar. Uneventful. Sighted Italian ship.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)14 Nov 19410849La Spezia14 Nov 19411645La Spezia45Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)18 Nov 19410812La Spezia18 Nov 19411815La Spezia64,4Exercises with the submarines Mocenigo and Acciaio, escorted by the auxiliaries Crotone, Santantioco and Capodistria.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)22 Nov 19411300La Spezia22 Nov 19412250La Spezia26Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)25 Nov 19410800La Spezia25 Nov 19411445La Spezia19Exercises with the submarines H.1, H.6 and Cobalto, escorted by the torpedo boat La Masa and MAS 510.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)12 Dec 19410834La Spezia12 Dec 19411600La Spezia41,7Exercises with the submarine Ambra, escorted by the destroyer Premuda, MAS 507 an the auxiliaries Santantioco, Capodistria, Crotone and Favignana.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)23 Dec 19410839La Spezia23 Dec 19411645La Spezia51Exercises with the submarines Cobalto and H.6, escorted by the destroyer Premuda, MAS 505, MAS 510 and the auxiliaries Capodistria and Crotone.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)31 Dec 19410833La Spezia31 Dec 19411310La Spezia30,5Exercises with the submarine Malachite, escorted by the auxiliaries Capodistria and Crotone.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)4 Jan 19420830La Spezia4 Jan 19421245La Spezia36,9Exercises, escorted by MAS 505 and MAS 510.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)19 Jan 19420827La Spezia19 Jan 19421800La Spezia57,3Exercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Capodistria and Favignana.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)3 Feb 19420830La Spezia3 Feb 19421545La Spezia40Exercises.

12.Marcantonio Colonna (CN)10 Feb 19421935La Spezia15 Feb 19420900La Spezia704,1Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa. Hydrophone Watch. Special Mission.
  12 Feb 1942205044° 08'N, 8° 44'EThe submarine sighted an illuminated vessel at a distance of 15,000 metres. No action was taken as this was either a neutral vessel or a hospital ship.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)25 Feb 19420840Pola27 Feb 19421709Messina645,8Passage Pola-Messina. Sighted only Italian vessels.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)28 Feb 19420900 or 0920La Spezia28 Feb 19421135 or 1205La Spezia29Trials, escorted by the auxiliary Porto Sdobba.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)28 Feb 19421630Messina2 Mar 19421140La Spezia491,35Passage Messina-La Spezia.

13.Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)7 Mar 19421840La Spezia9 Mar 19420915La Spezia276,7Patrolled in Gulf of Genoa. Uneventful.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)11 Mar 19421000La Spezia11 Mar 19421625La Spezia29,7Exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)13 Mar 19420940La Spezia13 Mar 19421515La Spezia34,5Exercises, escorted by MAS 509 and escorted back by the torpedo boat Carini.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)21 Mar 19420930La Spezia21 Mar 19421605La Spezia28,7Exercises, escorted by the tugs Rimini and Taormina.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)25 Mar 19420826La Spezia25 Mar 19421657La Spezia42,1Exercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Crotone and Capodistria.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)27 Mar 19420810La Spezia27 Mar 19421624La Spezia35,2Exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Crotone.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)1 Apr 19420756La Spezia1 Apr 19421713La Spezia42,9A/S exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Crotone.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)7 Apr 19420800La Spezia7 Apr 19421845La SpeziaExercises, escorted by the auxiliaries Quarnaro and Frangipane.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)20 Apr 19420810La Spezia20 Apr 19421116La Spezia18,2Exercises, escorted by MAS 569.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)21 Apr 19420737La Spezia21 Apr 19421623La Spezia41,5A/S exercises.

Marcantonio Colonna (CN)24 Apr 19420701La Spezia24 Apr 19421210GenoaPassage La Spezia-Genoa, escorted by MAS 509 and laid up.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)28 Apr 19421150La Spezia28 Apr 19421757La Spezia29A/S exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)5 May 19420737La Spezia5 May 19421520La Spezia50A/S exercises, escorted by the auxiliary Crotone and the sloop Diana.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)12 May 19420800La Spezia12 May 19421318La Spezia28,8A/S exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)19 May 19420800La Spezia19 May 19421654La Spezia40,5A/S exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)27 May 19420743La Spezia27 May 19421343La Spezia45,3A/S exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)2 Jun 19420720La Spezia2 Jun 19421625La Spezia26Exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)8 Jun 19420750La Spezia8 Jun 19421757La Spezia35Exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)16 Jun 19420750La Spezia16 Jun 19421042La Spezia14Exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)18 Jun 19420800La Spezia18 Jun 19421732La Spezia26Exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)20 Jun 19420934La Spezia20 Jun 19421315La Spezia19Exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)23 Jun 19420800La Spezia23 Jun 19421715La Spezia34Exercises.

Antonio Bajamonti (ex-N.2, ex-Smeli) (BM)26 Jun 19421407La Spezia26 Jun 19421640La Spezia20Exercises.

95 entries. 95 total patrol entries (13 marked as war patrols) and 3 events.

Italian Commanders

Italian Submarines