Barbarigo

History

The underwater forces of the Axis powers (1939-1945) in WWII consisted not only of U-boats from Germany or I-series boats from Japan, because the Italians came at the war: when the first shots were fired, there were 107 in stock indivual. Control of the Mediterranean waterways will be key to Axis victory, and the Italian Navy is under pressure to radiate its power into North Africa and beyond, and its submarine force is sure to play a role in the upcoming operation.

The Marcello class ships were commissioned from 1938 to 1947 and 11 were completed. They served in the navies of Italy, Germany and Japan to participate in the war. One of the ships of this class became the "Barbarigo", a diesel-electric attack submarine with 8 x 533 mm (21") torpedoes (four in the bow and four in the stern).

For surface operations, 2 x 100 mm / 47 caliber Deck guns are equipped with 4 x 13.2mm machine guns to support local air defense. Power comes from 2 x CRDA diesel units for surface travel and 2 x CRDA electric motors for underwater travel. Crew consists of 58 people.

Structurally, the vessel measures 240 feet in length, 23.6 feet in beam and 16.8 feet in draft. Surface speed reaches over 17 knots, while underwater speed reaches 8 knots.

The Barbarigo was a true ocean-going "deep water" submarine - not limited to coastal service like other submarines used in the war.

Barbarigo was launched on 12 June 1938 and officially commissioned with the Italian Navy on 19 September 1938. On September 1, 1939, the war in Europe broke out, Germany invaded Poland, and the Italian navy then began to work.

Barbarigo was deployed to Bordeaux, France in 1940, and from October focused her operations on the mid-Atlantic, but had little success other than sinking the Spanish ship Naviermar, which was a neutral in the war . In May 1942, she went to war with Brazilian businessman Comandante Lyra, but was chased away by Brazilian naval planes within five days - many of her sister ships would be sunk by the end of the year. In October 1942, she attacked the British frigate Petunia, mistaking her for a major American battleship.

In March 1943, when the new commander took office, the ship managed to capture three enemy ships. After repairs, it was converted into a cargo ship from German-controlled France to Japan, hoping to bring back much-needed wartime resources.

However, the ship was attacked by Allied aircraft and likely sank in the Bay of Biscay during her first departure on June 16, 1943 - marking the end of her limited legacy.

The rest of her class didn't fare much better - of the 11 ships completed, 10 were lost and 1 was old enough to be scrapped.

Specification

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