There were two groups of three ships going leaving from Tobruk on 20 August.
1) Stige and Davide Bianchi, left Tobruk 1800 for Piraeus
2) Sportivo left 1900 for Suda
The vessels had arrived in Tobruk a few days before and had been discharged with some difficulties. The Italian history states that they were formed into a single convoy off Tobruk on 21 August at 0900 with the escorts as mentioned being Turbine as lead, Lince, ZG3 and S-41. So this is likely where the error occurred. The OH states it was attacked from the air without result.
Quote:
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Il convoglio si forma, con l'aggiunta della Cist Stige e sotto la guida del ct Turbine alle 09.00 del 21 al largo di Tobruk; è oggetto di attacchi senza esito, da pare di aerei. Sosta a Suda nella mattinata del 22 per il rifornimento delle siluranti.
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Convoy formed, with the addition of tanker Stige under the lead of DD Turbine at 0900 on 21 off Tobruk. Subjected to air attacks without results. Overnight in Suda morning of 22 to rearm with torpedoes.
Regarding the escorts.
1) S-41 as noted cannot be right. It is unlikely to be an error in the boat's number too, as 3. S-Flotille was based in Sicily in the second half of August with the exception of S-33 and S55 in Suda, but the Suda group reports no tasks at the end of August.
2) 6. R-Flotille does not report such an escort task (they had R-14 on strength).
3) ZG-3 Hermes (renamed 21 August 1942) reports being in port in Salamis on 20-23 August, so again cannot have been part of the escort.
The whole of the Italian navy war diary looks quite questionable in relation to this.
Some background on the Turbine-class (won't help with this question):
https://rommelsriposte.com/2025/03/2...ckers-turbine/
All the best