Italian submarines in World War Two

Italian Commanders


Alpinolo Cinti

Born  26 Oct 1907Ripa Transone (Ascoli Piceno)
Died  21 Feb 1977(69)?

Ranks

  T.V.Tenente di Vascello

Decorations

17 Oct 1941 Medaglia di bronzo al valore militare
29 Mar 1943 Medaglia d'argento al valore militare
16 Aug 1943 Medaglia di bronzo al valore militare
3 May 1944 Croce di guerra al valore militare
24 Dec 1944 Medaglia d'argento al valore militare
4 Apr 1946 Croce di guerra al valore militare
12 Apr 1946 Medaglia di bronzo al valore militare
12 Apr 1946 Medaglia di bronzo al valore militare

Career information

LUIGI SETTEMBRINI (T.V. First Officer): from 02.05.1940 to ?
MALACHITE (T.V. C.O.): from 20.05.1942 to 04.09.1942.
DESSIÉ (T.V. C.O.): from 16.08.1942 to 19.08.1942.
ARADAM (T.V. C.O.): from 05.09.1942 to 21.10.1942.
MALACHITE (T.V. C.O.): from 05.10.1942 to 09.02.1943 (sunk, Cinti survived).
CIRO MENOTTI (T.V. C.O.): from 07.04.1943 to 25.05.1943.
BRAGADINO (T.V. C.O.): from 26.05.1943 to 17.09.1943?
In 1944: Assistant to Head of COMANDO GRUPPO TARANTO.

Commands listed for Alpinolo Cinti


Submarine Type Rank From To
Dessiè (DE)Coastal / Sea goingT.V.16 Aug 194219 Aug 1942
Malachite (MH)Coastal / Sea goingT.V.20 May 19424 Sep 1942
Aradam (AR)Coastal / Sea goingT.V.5 Sep 194221 Oct 1942
Malachite (MH)Coastal / Sea goingT.V.5 Oct 19429 Feb 1943
Ciro Menotti (ME, N.66)Ocean goingT.V.7 Apr 194325 May 1943
Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)MinelayingT.V.26 May 194317 Sep 1943

Ships hit by Alpinolo Cinti

No ships hit by this Commander.

War patrols listed for Alpinolo Cinti

 SubmarineDateTimePortArr. dateArr. timeArr. portMilesDescription
1.Malachite (MH)30 May 19421800Cagliari11 Jun 19421115Cagliari1251Patrolled in western Mediterranean, in area between 37°50'N and 38°10'N, and between 03°00'E and 03°40'E. Reached the area on the morning of 1 June. In the same afternoon she was ordered to move 60 miles west.
  1 Jun 1942080038° 02'N, 3° 25'EAt 0800 hours, a 4-5,000-ton motorship was sighted at a distance of 6,000 metres, steering 358° at 14-15 knots. Malachite tried to close to identify her, but the vessel proved too fast and disappeared.
  1 Jun 1942092038° 02'N, 3° 25'EAt 0920 hours, an aircraft was seen at 10,000 metres and Malachite dived.

At 1456 hours, the submarine was ordered to move her patrol 60 miles to the west.
  2 Jun 1942014538° 02'N, 2° 01'EAt 0145 hours, a destroyer was sighted at a distance of 12-13,000 metres, steering 160°, 25-30 knots. Malachite closed to attack and had three bow torpedo tubes (533 mm) ready for firing, but a sudden change in course of the destroyer prevented it from being carried out.
  9 Jun 19421220
1226 (e)
37° 56'N, 2° 15'EAt 1220 hours, a Blenheim bomber was sighted at a distance of 6-,000 metres and it attacked the submarine. Malachite crash-dived and, at 1222 hours, as she reached a depth of 30-35 metres, four bombs exploded.

The attack was made by Catalina 'D' (VA 726) of 240 Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Godber. The U-boat had been sighted at a range of 6 miles, steering 136° at 10 knots. The aircraft actually released eight depth charges from a height of 50 feet and no result was observed.
  9 Jun 1942153937° 56'N, 2° 15'E
(0) Approximately.
At 1539 hours, an aircraft was sighted at 7-8,000 metres flying at an altitude of 1,000 metres. Malachite dived.

This was possibly a Sunderland which sighted a submarine at 1645 hours in 37°46' N, 00°36' E steering 305°, 8 knots. The submarine dived before an attack could be made [at the time, Malachite was steering 180°, but the aircraft may have made an error in direction].

2.Malachite (MH)14 Jun 19421800Cagliari20 Jun 19420650Cagliari908Sailed to intercept an enemy cruiser reported to be damaged and being towed at 1600/14 June in 37°58'N, 07°18'E, course 270°. She was ordered to the area between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 02°20'E and 02°40'E.
  16 Jun 1942112537° 33'N, 1° 33'EAt 1125 hours, an enemy cruiser with two destroyers were sighted at 20-22,000 metres. Malachite attempted to attack but could not get to closer than 10,000-12,000 meters at 1140 hours.
  16 Jun 1942151737° 26'N, 1° 10'EAt 1517 hours, a ship believed to be French was sighted at a distance of 20,000 metres steering 180°.
  18 Jun 1942035537° 16'N, 2° 47'EAt 0355 hours, a submarine was sighted at a distance of 500 metres, steering 270°. It was similar to Bronzo or a German U-boat. Malachite turned away, the other submarine did the same.

3.Malachite (MH)23 Jun 19420600Cagliari25 Jun 19420935Cagliari270Sailed to form a patrol line with Velella, Uarsciek and Giada off Cape Carbonara between 37°20'N and 37°50'N, and between 09°40'E and 10°00'E but recalled at 2150/24.

Malachite (MH)10 Jul 19420800Cagliari10 Jul 19421815Cagliari5Gyrocompass tests.

4.Malachite (MH)16 Jul 19420340Cagliari17 Jul 19422000Cagliari283Patrolled off Cagliari, between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 09°40'E and 10°00'E. On a patrol line with Bronzo, Velella and Dagabur. Interrupted by leaks which caused chlorine fumes in the battery.

Malachite (MH)21 Jul 19420500Cagliari22 Jul 19421000Naples268Passage Cagliari-Naples.

Malachite (MH)24 Jul 19420905Naples24 Jul 19421220Naples26Trials.

Malachite (MH)25 Jul 19421400Naples25 Jul 19421645Naples13Trials, then long refit.

Dessiè (DE)18 Aug 19421400Trapani19 Aug 19421620Messina260Passage Trapani-Messina.

Aradam (AR)5 Sep 19420840Naples5 Sep 19421436NaplesExercises.

Aradam (AR)5 Sep 19421925Naples7 Sep 19420710La Spezia340Passage Naples-La Spezia to embark G7e electric torpedoes.

Aradam (AR)10 Sep 19421200La Spezia10 Sep 19421720La Spezia35Exercises.

Aradam (AR)11 Sep 19420819La Spezia11 Sep 19421707La Spezia53Exercises.

Aradam (AR)13 Sep 19420810La Spezia13 Sep 19421322La Spezia4Gyrocompass tests.

Aradam (AR)14 Sep 19421038La Spezia14 Sep 19421152La Spezia2Trials.

Aradam (AR)15 Sep 19421235La Spezia17 Sep 19420915Trapani407,5Passage La Spezia-Trapani.

Aradam (AR)22 Sep 19421325Trapani22 Sep 19421820Trapani12Trials.

Aradam (AR)23 Sep 19421400Trapani23 Sep 19421630Trapani17Trials.

Aradam (AR)24 Sep 19421330Trapani24 Sep 19421725Trapani22Trials.

Malachite (MH)11 Oct 19421030Naples11 Oct 19421530Naples23,8Trials.

Malachite (MH)15 Oct 19420815Naples15 Oct 19421845Naples59Trials.

Aradam (AR)15 Oct 19420820Trapani15 Oct 19421320Trapani32Exercises.

Malachite (MH)20 Oct 19420920Naples20 Oct 19421240Naples34,5Trials.

Malachite (MH)23 Oct 19420910Naples23 Oct 19421515Naples1,6Trials.

Malachite (MH)24 Oct 19421430Naples24 Oct 19421830Naples17,5Trials.

Malachite (MH)25 Oct 19421200Naples25 Oct 19421900Naples29,2Trials and exercises.

Malachite (MH)27 Oct 19421200Naples27 Oct 19421845Naples39,7Trials and exercises.

Malachite (MH)4 Nov 19421421Naples4 Nov 19421748Naples32Trials and exercises.

Malachite (MH)5 Nov 19420834Naples5 Nov 19421141Naples29Exercises.

Malachite (MH)5 Nov 19421853Naples7 Nov 19420815La Spezia333Passage Naples-La Spezia.

Malachite (MH)9 Nov 19421512La Spezia9 Nov 19421652La Spezia5Trials.

Malachite (MH)13 Nov 19420900La Spezia13 Nov 19421514La Spezia3Trials.

Malachite (MH)15 Nov 19420810La Spezia15 Nov 19421533La Spezia22Exercises.

Malachite (MH)16 Nov 19420900La Spezia16 Nov 19421545La Spezia36Exercises.

Malachite (MH)17 Nov 19420807La Spezia17 Nov 19421209La Spezia22Exercises.

5.Malachite (MH)18 Nov 19420600La Spezia25 Nov 19421323Cagliari1103Patrolled in western Mediterranean, in area between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 07°40' and 08°00'E, off Cape de Fer and Bay of Philippeville.
  23 Nov 1942231037° 09'N, 7° 07'EAt 2310 hours, an MTB was sighted at a distance of 4-5,000 metres. Malachite dived.
  24 Nov 1942041137° 11'N, 7° 05'E
(0) Italian Grid 8418,/4.

Malachite (MH)26 Nov 19421029Cagliari27 Nov 19422020Naples292Passage Cagliari-Naples.

Malachite (MH)9 Dec 19420812Naples9 Dec 19421330Naples23Exercises.

Malachite (MH)11 Dec 19421944Naples13 Dec 19420028Cagliari274,5Passage Naples-Cagliari.

6.Malachite (MH)15 Dec 19421900Cagliari25 Dec 19421000Cagliari1023,5Patrolled in western Mediterranean, between 37°20'N and 37°40'N, and between 08°20'E and 08°40'E.
  18 Dec 19422243At 2243 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 3,000 metres circling around the submarine. Malachite dived.
  19 Dec 19422015At 2015 hours, Information was received that, at 1828 hours, two unknown warships had been sighted by German air reconnaissance in Italian Grid 5678/2 (030° - Bone - 50 miles) steering 150°. Malachite altered course to intercept but failed to see anything.
  22 Dec 19422125At 2125 hours, Information was received that, at 1756 hours, five steamers had been sighted by German air reconnaissance in Italian Grid 4793/2 steering 090°. Malachite altered course to intercept, only hearing distant noises, but failed to see anything.
  23 Dec 1942232337° 33'N, 8° 29'EAt 2323 hours, in poor visibility, a submarine similar to the ARGO class, was sighted at a distance of 3-4,000 metres, steering 300°. Malachite turned away and dived to avoid a case of mistaken identity.

7.Malachite (MH)4 Jan 19430415Cagliari6 Jan 19430745Cagliari295Patrolled in area between 37°40'N and 38°00'N, and between 08°40'E and 09°00'E, on a patrol line with Dandolo, Argento, Avorio and Mocenigo. Uneventful.

Malachite (MH)15 Jan 19431300Cagliari16 Jan 19431600La MaddalenaPassage Cagliari-La Maddalena.

Malachite (MH)19 Jan 19431816La Maddalena20 Jan 19430010La MaddalenaExercises.

8.Malachite (MH)20 Jan 19430210La Maddalena23 Jan 19431440Cagliari558Patrolled off Cape Bougaroni, in area between 37°40'N, the North African coast, and between 06°20'E and 06°40'E.
  22 Jan 19430518.4037° 13'N, 6° 24'E
(0) Italian Grid 8850/3.
During the evening of 21st, January, Malachite had been informed of the passage of an important convoy steering eastward.

At 0415 hours on the 22nd, Malachite was proceeding at a depth of 35 metres, when she was violently shaken by bomb explosions, seemingly directly above her. A minute later, the hydrophones picked up numerous noises, presumably for the expected convoy.

At 0455 hours, the convoy came into view at a distance of 10,000 metres. It appeared to consist of ten 5-10,000-ton merchants, including tankers, escorted by three destroyers, steering 120°, 8 knots. One destroyer briefly appeared to alter course toward the submarine, before returning to the convoy, then came back again. T.V. Alpino Cinti, believing he had been discovered, elected to attack the destroyer instead. The target was now steering 015° at 16 knots.

At 0518.40 hours, four torpedoes (533mm, G7e type) were fired from the bow tubes at a distance of 1,100 metres. Malachite immediately went deep. She had barely reached a depth of 3 or 4 metres when a double explosion was heard. No depth charging followed and the submarine moved away from the area.

At 1134 hours, she was at a depth of 30 metres when explosions were heard close by and it was believed that she may have been spotted by an aircraft. She was undamaged and resumed her patrol.
  23 Jan 19430800-083038° 36'N, 8° 23'EAt 0830 hours, a derelict mine was sighted at a distance of 1,000 metres. Malachite closed to 500 metres, expending 120 machine gun rounds but did not succeed to sink it.

Malachite (MH)31 Jan 19431950Cagliari1 Feb 19430124CagliariExercises.

9.Malachite (MH)2 Feb 19431930Cagliari9 Feb 19431100Sunk690Sailed for special mission off Algeria. Sunk in 38°42'N, 08°54'E (near Cagliari) by Dutch submarine HrMs Dolfijn, T.V. Alpino Cinti, three officers, nine ratings were picked up by the Italian minesweeper Arcioni and the fishing vessel Dori. One officer and thirty-four ratings were lost. A reconstructed patrol report was made.
  6 Feb 1943034536° 57'N, 3° 26'EAt 0345 hours, two destroyers were sighted at a distance of 4,000 metres, steering 270°, 20-25 knots. Malachite could not gain a good attack position.
  6 Feb 1943211036° 46'N, 3° 26'E
(0) 105° - Cape Matifou (Algeria) - 9.5 miles.
At 2110 hours, ten saboteurs of Italian Special Forces (1st battalion of the 10th Arditi Regiment) were landed on the Algerian coast in three boats. Their objective was a railway bridge about 30 km east of Algiers. The landing was successful. Malachite returned at 0558 hours on the 7th to pick them up but they failed to show up. The ten men had been captured.
  9 Feb 19431103
1059.5 (e)

(e) 38° 42'N, 8° 54'E
At 1103 hours, Malachite had just entered the searched channel leading to Cagliari, when the lookout, 2° Nocchiere (2nd Helmsman) Sisto Fosci, spotted torpedo tracks coming from the port side. The helm was immediately put hard to starboard. The first torpedo missed 50 metres ahead, the second 5-10 metres and the third only about one metre from the bow, but the fourth hit the submarine aft. The explosion was not very great and looked more like a large shell hit but the submarine sank stern first in about 50 seconds. About 20 minutes later, the auxiliary minesweeper Arcione and the fishing vessel Dori arrived on the scene and picked up the survivors. T.V. Alpino Cinti, three officers, nine ratings were the only ones found. One officer and thirty-four ratings were lost.

The attack had been made by the Dutch submarine HrMs Dolfijn (Lieutenant Commander H.M.L.F.E. van Oostrom Soede). At 1048 hours, she had sighted a submarine described as of the GEMMA class at a distance of 2 miles.

At 1059.5 hours, she had fired a salvo of four torpedoes from a range of 2,200 yards at 8.5-second firing intervals. One explosion was heard and when the periscope was raised, the target was observed to sink by the stern.

Ciro Menotti (ME, N.66)12 Apr 19430800Augusta12 Apr 19431225Augusta30,5Exercises.

Ciro Menotti (ME, N.66)14 Apr 19431230Augusta14 Apr 19431400Augusta5Exercises.

10.Ciro Menotti (ME, N.66)20 Apr 19431800Augusta24 Apr 19432115LampedusaSupply mission to Lampedusa (54 tons of ammunition, weapons and foodstuff).
  21 Apr 1943224535° 08'N, 15° 25'EA destroyer on 090° course, 20 knots, was observed at 5,000 metres but the submarine was not in a position to intercept.
  22 Apr 19432038Two aircraft flying low toward the submarine were observed at a distance of 5-6,000 metres and Ciro Menotti dived immediately.

11.Ciro Menotti (ME, N.66)25 Apr 19432030Lampedusa28 Apr 19430455Augusta735,6Return trip from supply mission to Lampedusa. Uneventful[mileage is for round trip].

Ciro Menotti (ME, N.66)3 May 19431800Augusta3 May 19432045Augusta20,5Exercises.

Ciro Menotti (ME, N.66)4 May 19431830Augusta7 May 19430720Brindisi398,5Passage Augusta-Brindisi. Uneventful. Then long refit.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)17 Jun 19430814Taranto17 Jun 19431810Taranto66Trials and sonar exercises with the torpedo boat Lince and the auxiliary Claretta.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)22 Jul 19430356Taranto22 Jul 19431115Taranto24Trials and exercises.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)22 Jul 19431245Taranto22 Jul 19432032Taranto26,4Trials and exercises.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)28 Jul 19430510Taranto28 Jul 19431010Taranto28,5Trials and exercises.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)5 Aug 19431630Taranto5 Aug 19432015Taranto30Trials and exercises.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)15 Aug 19430435Taranto15 Aug 19431053Taranto16Trials and exercises with the torpedo boat Sirtori and the corvette Driade.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)16 Aug 19430831Taranto16 Aug 19431053Taranto15Trials and exercises with the torpedo boat Sirtori and the corvette Driade in 40°26.5'N, 17°02'E.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)2 Sep 19430505Taranto2 Sep 19431107Taranto25Exercises with the torpedo boats Sirio and Clio.

12.Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)7 Sep 19431404Taranto11 Sep 19430945Augusta376,5Sailed for patrol off Punta Alice (Calabria, ca. 39°24'N, 17°09'E), but then diverted to Augusta to surrender. At 2234 hours on the 8th, she received the order to submerge to 80 meters until 0800 hours on the 9th then surface and fly the black flag of surrender.
  9 Sep 19431121At 1121 hours, the submarine Squalo was encountered and exchanged recognition signals.
  9 Sep 19431145At 1145 hours, three British corvettes were sighted. Bragadino closed and was ordered to Augusta.
  9 Sep 19431500At 1500 hours, the submarine Bandiera was sighted and closed within voice range to confer.

At 1530 hours, Squalo also joined to exchange information.
  9 Sep 1943220539° 09'N, 17° 55'EAt 2205 hours, a few warships were sighted. Bragadino turned away.
  10 Sep 19431610At 1610 hours, a German aircraft was sighted at a distance of 2,000 metres. Bragadino dived immediately.

Marcantonio Bragadino (BG)17 Sep 19430613Augusta17 Sep 19431838Malta98Passage Augusta-Malta with submarines Onice, Settembrini, Vortice, Squalo and Zoea.

80 entries. 62 total patrol entries (12 marked as war patrols) and 26 events.

Italian Commanders

Italian Submarines