Shipping strike on the 11/12 August 1942

[JohanSWE]

The 98th Bombardment Group carried out shipping strike during an night mission on the 11/12 August 1942.

Four Italian cruisers in Navarino Harbor, Greece, were attacked at dusk, August 11th, by 7 planes of the 98th Bombardment Group. Hits were claimed on one cruiser and probable hits on a second wave. A confirmed near miss on a third cruiser resulted in a violent explosion.

I'm trying to find any sources and documents of which of the Italian ships that was hit or damaged at Navarino Harbor, Greece.

Secondary source:
War Diary Admiralty, page 444 "Cositrep No 480"
https://sccd.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/medi...b3f43ab73b6650

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

/JohanSWE

[sergey]

The 8th Division's cruisers Garibaldi, Duca d'Aosta, and Duca degli Abruzzi, along with the destroyers Corraziere, Mitragliere, Bersagliere, and Alpino, were stationed at Navarino. The ships were not damaged.

[Nick Beale]

You could try the deciphered Italian Naval signals in UK National Archives files DEFE 3/847 and /848 (covering 30 july–12 August and 12–27 August respectively). Both can be viewed online or downloaded free.

[AndreasB]

I just checked the Comando Supremo war diary and it seems the attack isn't even mentioned.

All the best

Andreas

[Buckeye30]

( For the record, the 7 B-24s). Based Ramat David, Palestine but flying from the RAF field at St. Jean nearby.


https://98thbg.com/sorties/6


Nick

[sergey]

The Official History of the Italian Navy 1940-1945 also makes no mention of this attack. My information is from Lorenzo Colombo's research.

[Leendert]

Interestingly, this page in the Admiralty War Diaries says that 'of 9 Liberators which bombed Navarino August 11 7 were American'
A small RAF involvement as well?

See https://catalog.archives.gov/id/7774...ect-thumb--849

Leendert

[AndreasB]

Originally Posted by Leendert

Interestingly, this page in the Admiralty War Diaries says that 'of 9 Liberators which bombed Navarino August 11 7 were American'
A small RAF involvement as well?

See https://catalog.archives.gov/id/7774...ect-thumb--849

Leendert

RAF Liberators went on (not quite) joined missions with the USAAF regularly in this period, so not unlikely.

All the best

Andreas

[Buckeye30]

The 2 RAF Liberator IIs were from 159 Sqn. who shared the airfield with the 2 98th. squadrons but flew this mission from Malta.
AL544 (F/L Dyer) 1425--0055.
AL517 (F/S Wilkes 1415--0015. Both landed Fayid (Egypt) on return.
From ORB Record.


Regards
Nick

[Darius]

Hi,


KTB Skl for November 1942 has this information:

12.08.1942
[...] 2. Eigene Lage Mittelmeer: [...]
Fdl. Luftangriffe in der Nacht zum 11. und am 11/8. verursachten weder in Navarino noch in Cagliari Schäden an ital. Seestreitkräften oder Marineanlagen[...]

Regards

Darius