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R.Smg. NANI |
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The Nani was one of the 11 boats of the “Marcello” class, one of the best
produced by the Italian shipyards. Despite having entered service only in
1938, by 1941 the submarine was already worn out, proof of the intense
efforts the Italian oceangoing boats had to endure, and to which
corresponded the extreme sacrifices of the crews. |
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Operational Life |
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In the brief period between the outbreak of hostilities and its loss in 1941
for unknown reasons, the submarine Nani completed 6 missions under the command
of Liutenant Commander Gioacchino Polizzi, sinking 2 merchant ships for a total
of 1,939 t. |
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At the beginning of the hostilities (June 10th, 1940 for Italy), the Nani was
part of the 22nd squadron of the 2nd group based in Naples. In preparation for
the conflict, the boat was on patrol off Cape Bengut (Algeria), along with the
Barbarigo, positioned 30 miles off the cost. After having failed to sight any
vessel, the boat left the area on June 13th. Soon after, the Nani was assigned to a new patrol area as part of a group, which included the Bandiera, Ascianghi and Santarosa. The Nani assumed its position on June 24th, 15 miles east of Port Mahon (Minorca). As for the many other boats that participated in this action, the Nani failed to make any contact, and eventually the boat returned to base. |
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A third, and last patrol in the Mediterranean took place during the second half
of July. The Nani, along with the Morosini, Faa di Bruno and Berillo, took
position east of Gibraltar between July 15th and July 23rd. The Nani was
assigned an area between Gibraltar and Cape Guillates (Morocco) and it was the
west most boat in the formation. Between the 18th and the 22nd of July, the
crew sighted several light units, but Captain Polizzi did not have any
opportunity to conduct an attack. On the 22nd, after having sighted a large
destroyer, Captain Polizzi launched two torpedoes, which failed to hit the
target. This attack took place at 3:00 AM, 12 miles SE of Point Europa. |
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The Nani with athor boats of the MARCELLO class.
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In September, the boat was ordered to the Atlantic departing Naples on the 29th
of the same month. During the transfer, on October 5th, the submarine
intercepted and sank the British armed trawler “Kingstone Shappire” of 356 t.
Trawlers were high sea fishing boats built before the war and meant to be
rapidly transformed into gunboats. In general, they were designed for
harbor defense duties, but newer units were transformed into submarine chasers,
while other into minesweepers. In 1939, the Royal Navy established the 5th
Group in Mediterranean with 5 units.
Thereafter, following operational orders, the boat patrolled off Madeira where,
on the 27th intercepted and sank the small Swedish ship “Maggie” of 1,583 t. in
service to the British. Confirmation of this ship’s service for the British is
given by its participation in convoy HM 19 from Norway to Scotland in March
1940. Finally, on November 4th the vessel reached its final destination
navigating up the Gironde to the new base of Bordeaux. |
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A rare photo of the sinking of the Maggie.
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On December 13th, the Nani left the fluvial port of Bordeaux to begin the
dangerous navigation down the river Gironde. Reached the Atlantic, the boat had
to endure terrible weather conditions and the second in command and a gunner
were seriously injured by a massive weave forcing the captain to return to
port, where they arrived on the 17th to disembark the wounded personnel. During
the transfer from La Pallice to Bordeaux along the river Gironde, the submarine
was attacked by a British aircraft which, after a fierce gun battle, was
downed. The pause in Bordeaux was brief; having replaced the wounded personnel,
the Nani was again at sea on the 20th to resume its patrol West of Ireland. |
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Due to the delay in leaving port, the Nani was ordered the shortest route to
the operational area. On January 3rd, Betasom received the last radio signal.
Despite several attempts to re-establish communication, the boat never replied
to the many calls that followed. After the end of the conflict, British authorities claimed the sinking of the Nani in position 60° 15’ N, 15° 27 W (South East of Ireland) to the corvette Anemone. Italian navel authorities doubted the accuracy of this claim based on several factors. First, the position would have been 330 miles off the originally assigned patrol area, second even if Captain Polizzi had chased a convoy so far north, it would have been unlikely that other boats in the area had not also detected its presence. German war records indicate that four u-boats, U-38, U-95, U-105, and U-124 were just south of the area in question. None intercepted or chased a convoy. |
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Additional notes |
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It should be reasonable to assume that the Nani was lost due to unknown
circumstances, possibly foul weather, between the date of the last radio
signal (January 3rd) and the last possible date for its return to base
(February 20th). |
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