Maestrale class Destroyer

Regia Marina: 4 Built 1931-34: Maestrale, Grecale, Libeccio, Scirocco

WW2 Italian Destroyers

Poerio | Aquila | Mirabello | Leone | Sella | Sauro | Turbine | Navigatori | Freccia | Folgore | Maestrale | Oriani | Soldati | Medaglie d’Oro

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WW2 Italian Torpedo Boats

Indomito | Audace | Audace(ii) | Pilo | Sirtori | La Masa | Generali | Palestro | Curtatone | Albatros | Spica | Pegaso | Ciclone | Ariete

The Maestrale class followed the Freccia and Folgore as the third series of the new design inaugurated in 1930, with four relatively close vessels built for the Regia Marina. They formed the basis for next Oriani and Soldati classes, as incremental improvements achieved the best design of the series so far. They paid a heavy price for WW2 operations: Maestrale was scuttled while under repairs at the armistice to avoid capture, Libeccio was sunk by HMS Upholder in November 1941, Scirocco was sunk in a storm after the second battle of Sirte and Grecale was the only one to survive the war, used after extensive modernization by the Marina Militare until 1964…

Grecale in Syracuse, interwar.

Design of the Maestrale class

Development

The previous Folgore class were modified Freccia with their beam reduced to try to regain some speed, an attempt to return to the top speed reached on earlier designs like the Turbines of 1928. The beam was the same as the Turbine class but this sacrificed stowage capacity and notably oil. Their radius of action suffered and in addition, they retained all the faults of the Freccia. More so, they ended even more unstable, and needed quick strengthening modifications to regain stability, notably ballasting, further reducing speed and range. Later modification repeated the ones done on the Freccia.

On the next Maestrale class, great care in calculations, new pool trials tried to determinate a more appropriate hull shape to regain speed while having enough beam to remain stable. In short, the beam was increased, but the hull was much stretched out and the stem and bow chin were redesigned. This proved the winning formula. A clear design success, with a machinery layout and type made more efficient to further add a slight increase in speed. They also regained stability and seaworthiness, which was the most important factor. So in short, The Maestrale-class destroyers were a completely new design intended to rectify stability problems of the preceding Folgore.
Sometimes restarting from scratch is just the best idea.

In fact the design proved so successful it was further developed into the last prewar class, the Oriani, trying to be improved on other points, and reached full maturity with the 1938 Soldati class, which at that stage got rid of the treaties following that decision by Mussolini, being at 1700-1800 tonnes standards.
In service, like their predecessors, the Maestrale saw heavy frontline action. A single one survived the war.

Hull and general design

The Maestrale class, apart a larger beam and finer hull entries, were very close in general layout and design as the previous Folgore and a significantly longer hull, much longer in fact: Their length between perpendiculars was 101.6 meters (333 ft 4 in) and overall length of 106.7 meters (350 ft 1 in). The Folgore indeed had an overall length of 96.05 meters (315 ft 1 in).
As for their beam, the Maetrale reached 10.15 meters (33 ft 4 in) compared to 9.2 meters (30 ft 2 in). They had a mean draft of 3.31 meters (10 ft 10 in), 4.3 meters (14 ft 1 in) at deep load versus 3.3 meters (10 ft 10 in)/4.3 meters (14 ft 1 in) so nominally the same as the Folgore.

The longer hull made them necessarily larger, reaching the limits of the Washington treaty, as they displaced 1,640 metric tons (1,610 long tons) at normal load, 2,243 metric tons (2,208 long tons) at deep load. Versus 1,238 metric tons (1,218 long tons) standard, 2,090 metric tons (2,060 long tons) deep load for the Folgore. They were better destroyers, but the Regia Marina realized that with the London Treaty destroyer tonnage limits, few could be built. This was one of the reasons modern torpedo boats were authorized, and former DDs had been reclassified as TBs to “escape” that limited tonnage. The Maestrale complement in wartime was 190 officers and enlisted men versus 185 officers and ratings for the previous class. They felt also roomier inside, and were more popular with the crews. They could be manned by as low as 153 men.

Overall, general design outside was still the same. Perhaps the only difference was a “chin” built under the windows of the rounded bridge to break waves. They benefited from the same layout as their predecessors, had the same rounded stern, same general proportions for the forecastle, which was longer to improve seaworthiness.

Powerplant

The Maestrale also innovated for their powerplant. The previous Folgore were powered by two Belluzzo geared steam turbines coupled with three Thornycroft boilers for 44,000 shaft horsepower (33,000 kW), top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and 38-39 on sea trials, 3,600 nm range at 12 knots. By comparison, the new Maestrale class had two of the latest Parsons geared steam turbines, each driving a propeller shaft. The 3 bladed fixed pitch props of the latter class were unchanged. Steam came from three, three-drum (Thornycroft?) boilers and the power plant was designed to produce the same 44,000 shaft horsepower (33,000 kW) for a top speed of 32–33 knots (59–61 km/h; 37–38 mph) in service, fully combat loaded. On trials, light, they reached 38–39 knots (70–72 km/h; 44–45 mph) like their predecessors, but remained fast in service, having no modifications apart limited AA additions. They carried fuel oil for a range of 2,600–2,800 nautical miles (4,800–5,200 km; 3,000–3,200 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph), or 690 nmi (1,280 km; 790 mi) at flank speed, of 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph). They probably were around 4,000 nm or more at 12 knots based on 520t oil.

Armament of the Maestrale class

The Maestrale were armed the same way as the Folgore and Freccia class. The core was two twin 120 mm/50 OTO (4.7 in) guns on the same mounts, and two single 40 mm/39 (1.6 in) Vickers-Terni AA guns (essentially pompoms) plus two twin 13.2 mm/76 (0.52 in) Breda heavy machine guns. The two triple 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes were still located at the same place. The class rounded this up by two depth charge throwers, and were fitted to carry 52 mines if needed. The Next Oriani swapped to the OTO 1936 model, which was heavier, 22.44t versus 17.37t but procured a better elevation at 35° versus 33°. Still not yet dual purpose. Each had 150° traverse either side.

Cannone da 120mm/50 OTO Modello 1931

Mount: 5.1 tons (5,552 kg), 252.0 in (6.400 m)
Shell: Separate, 23 kg AP, HE 51.8 lbs. (23.15 kg).
Propellant: 21.4 lbs. (9.7 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 3,117 fps (950 mps) Later reduced to 3,018 fps (920 mps)
Range: 19,600 m
Rate of fire: 6-7 rounds per minute
The Maestrale class were provided with probably around 180 rounds per gun, split between AP, HE, incendiary and star shells.

Fire Control

Since the Freccia and Folgore the Maestrale bbenefited from the same modern fire control system, inspired by the Navigatori class. Fire direction was optimized for daytime actions, with two three meters (10 in) Officine Galileo/Zeiss stereoscopic rangefinders. One set was on a platform aft of the bridge, with the main tower on the bridge’s roof containing the San Giorgio general aiming system. There was a second Zeiss/San Giorgio rangefinder positioned on the intermediary platfrom between TT banks. Night-time firing systems were only installed on some units well into WW2. Also, a San Giorgio kinematic teleinclinometer was placed under the crow’s nest. This was a considerable improvement over the previous Turbine class, and somewhat compensated by a loss in accuracy.

40mm/39 (2-in) Vickers-Terni M1917

The anti-aircraft armament initially comprised the same two Vickers-Terni 1915 40mm/39 machine guns placed on either side on the forecastle, next to the forefunnel,
Specs Vickers-Terni 1915:
Weight 550 lbs. (249 kg) including cooling water
Overall lenght 96 in (2.438 m), bore 62 in (1.575 m), 200 rpm cyclical, 50-75 rpm practical
Fired the HE or CP rounds of 2.95 lbs. (1.34 kg) at 2,000 fps (610 mps).
Maximum Effective Range: 1,200 yards (1,100 m)

Breda 13.2 mm/76 AA (0.5 in)

The four Breda 13.2 mm machine guns in two twin mounts on the bridge’s wings.
Specs 13.2 mm Breda HMG:

Specs (Modello 1931)
Gun Weight: 104.5 lbs. (47.5 kg), Bore Length 39.4 in (1 m). 500 rounds per minute cyclic.
Fired 5.4 in (13.7 cm) 0.28 lbs. (0.125 kg) rounds at 2,592 fps (790 mps), effective range: 2,200 yards (2,000 m).

533 mm Torpedoes

The ships like previous destroyers, were given the same two triple in-line torpedo launchers, 533 mm, San Giorgio type. They were placed in the axis, one between the two funnels and the second behind the aft funnel. The aiming was electrically controlled by the Fire Direction system and its two stations:
-One for daytime launching, located in the crow’s nest
-One for night launching, on the bridge.
They were likely given the 53.3 cm (21″) Si 270/533.4 x 7.2 “M” model. This was a model manufactured in Naples (Silurificio Italiano).
There were no reloads.
Specs:
Weight; 3,748 lbs. (1,700 kg)
Overall Length: 23 ft. 7 in. (7.2 m)
Warhead: 595 lbs. (270 kg)
Range/Speed settings: 4,400 yards (4,000 m)/46 kts, 8,750 yards (8,000 m)/35 kts, 13,100 yards (12,000 m)/29 kts
Powered by Wet-heater. Later versions went to 48/38/30 knots on the same ranges settings.

Ginocchio ASW Torpedo

Underwater Weapons Directorate of La Spezia, table dated September 1931, longitudinal section src
In the original design, the ships carried a Ginocchio “towing torpedo” GP1927/46 T. It was eliminated in 1940. Developed in the 1930s, it was a promising new device. These weapons were used during the First World War by light units such as MAS. It could be towed at variable speeds from 2 to 20 knots, could dive to depths ranging from 17 to 33 m. Depending on the length of the towing cable, maintaining a predetermined immersion, they were ready to explode due to the impact effect or thanks to an electrical ignition circuit.
Modified and improved after the WW2, the modello 46/1927 type GP (great depth) had a 46 kg charge, automatic trigger, and became widespread on torpedo boats and VAS ships. See also.

ASW Grenades

Two racks were there from the start, but two launchers were installed at the stern in 1939-40 for the launch of 50 and 100 kg depth charges. Stocks were later strengthened with more modern charges, some of which were German WB D of 125 kg and WB F of 60 kg as well as 30 kg “intimidatory” bombs, which were a warning charge to force a submarine to surface.
The launchers were trainable mortars used to project 100 kg (220 lbs.) DCs, normally fired at a 45-degree angle.
The standard depth charges while in service were likely the following:
B TG Monc. 50/1927 4 Reg. (1927): 110 lbs. (50 kg) for 20, 40, 70 and 100 m (65, 130, 230 and 330 feet).
B TG Monc. 100/1927 4 Reg. (1927): 220 lbs. (100 kg) for 25, 50, 75 and 100 m (80, 165, 250 and 330 feet).
B TG Monc. 50/1936 (1936): 141 lbs. (64 kg) or 110 lbs. (50 kg), unknown settings.

Mines

For minelaying all units were equipped with rails, and could carry up to 54 Vickers-Elia mines (760 kg) or 56 Bollo mines (590 kg). During the war, seven ships had their rails lengthened to lay 86 mines of the P.200 type or 104 Bollo type, and German antenna mines.
-Vickers Elia (VE) 1,676 lbs. (760 kg), 320 lbs. (145 kg) WH
-Bollo Mines

Paravanes

For protection in 1940, type C paravanes were mounted at the stern of all ships. They were lowered down via their lattice support gear arms, but once in water, they created a strong reduction in agility by the drag they created, reducing their practical use. They were however were detrimental to stability and removed in 1942.

Smoke Projectors

To complement protection, all Freccia class destroyers were equipped with admiralty type type smoke generators, placed at the base of the funnels, in complement to the diesels located aft on the starboard side. Later in WW2 they were replaced by more efficient chlorohydrin systems.

Profile planned

Sensors

During the war, the Folgore class came with an echo sounder in addition to classic hydrophones. However, it seems no radar was mounted albeit at some point in 1943, Grecale could have received a German Fu.Mo.24, but not the Italian-made EC3/ter “Gufo” in short supply. Possibly also the German “Metox” radar-detector.

Modifications

In 1939-1940 they all lost their Vickers-Terni 40mm and twin Breda 13.2mm for the addition of six 20mm/65 Breda 1939/1940 and gained two more DCTs.
Survivors in 1941-1942 were given an extra single 120mm/15 OTO 1933/1934 star shell howitzer for night combat. More standard shells would be carried for the main guns.
In 1942, Maestrale saw the removal of this mortar and instead was installed a 120mm/50 Ansaldo 1940 (no data).
In early 1943 Grecale had her AA removed, as well as one triple TT bank for twp single 37mm/54 Breda 1939, and six twin 20mm/65 Breda 1935.

General Evaluation

The Maestrale class (they were all named after winds) were indeed certainly the best in class so far, albeit much larger, reaching de facto the upper limit individually of a destroyer, thus reducing the numbers that can be built before the maximal global tonnage for destroyers defined at Washington, was reached. From there, Mussolini, already pushed out of the international community for his invasion of Ethiopia, started to disregard compliance to treaties, knowing full well that in 1936, Hitler was doing the same. The Regia marina still had to stick to the treaty with the next Oriani class (laid down in January 1935), which were even heavier than the excellent Maestrale, and thus would certainly be over treaty limited in case of any AA addition later during the war. The next Soldati class, laid down afterwards, completely disregarded these limits altogether. Indeed, Italy declined to sign the Second London naval Treaty officially on 15 January, largely as a result of the controversy over the invasion of Abyssinia and sanctions from the League of Nations.
In any case, the Maestrale were certainly the best Italian treaty destroyers of the interwar. They had a better balanced armament, better fire control and AA, were more stable gun platforms, had more range, were more seaworthy and faster, albeit never returning to the speed of the Turbine class. The next Oriani class were improved versions with increased machinery power and new anti-aircraft armament but the increase in power proved disappointing, only bringing a marginal speed improvement.

Grecale in the cold war

The only class surviving ship, Grecale, saw quite a long service with the Marina Militare, but she needed to be repurposes and rebuilt several times. In 1949, she saw the removal of her 120mm/15 flare mortar, and all twin Breda 20mm/65 for the addition of a 37mm/54 Breda 1939, two 20mm/65 Breda 1939/1940, construction of a lattice mast to support new radars, the SPS-5, SPS-6 radars. She also had a completely new bridge of the British frigates installed for ASW work. So essentially she became an ASW frigate and was reclassified as such.
In 1953, she lost all three 37mm/54, one TT banks, but gained six single 40mm/60 Mk 3 Bofors radar-assisted for AA defence, and a 24-tubes 178mm Hedgehog Mk 10 ASWRL, as well as two modern 2 DCT, and a modern sonar (type unspecified).

She was indeed classed as a frigate in 1957 but converted into a command ship in 1959-60 with only two 20 mm gun (conways) or two 40mm/60 Mk 3 Bofors, and CIC center. She acted as such until the modernized Garibaldi entered service and took her place. Grecale was discarded in January 1964.

Career of the Maestrale class

Maestrale was ordered to Cantieri Navali del Tirreno e Riuniti at Ancona, laid down on 25 sept. 1931, launched on 15 April 1934 and entered service on 2 sept. In 1937-1938, she made a few patrols in the Spanish Civil War, and escorted merchant ships carrying Italian volunteers to Spain. On June 10, 1940 she was the squadron leader of the X Destroyer Squadron with her sisters Grecale, Libeccio, and Scirocco. On 2 July 1940 she escorted the light cruisers Bande Nere and Colleoni as well as the 1st Division (Three Zara class) alongside the IX DS (Oriani class) as indirect escort for a convoy from Libya, Tripoli-Naples route.

By the 6th of July, she escorted the first large convoy to Libya (operation TCM) from Naples (Esperia, Calitea, Marco Foscarini, Vettor Pisani and Francesco Barbaro) with the Bande Nere and Colleoni plus the XIV TBs (Torpedo Boat Squadron) Pegaso class, they arrived unscathed in Benghazi on 8 July. Back to Augusta, her unit took part in the Battle of Punta Stilo on 9 July, but kept at distance from the action. On 27 July, the Maestrale class left Catania to join the escort of a convoy from Naples to Tripoli in Operation “Trasporto Veloce Lento” for the merchants Maria Eugenia, Gloriastella, Mauly, Bainsizza, Col di Lana, Francesco Barbaro, and Città di Bari, again with the Pegaso class TBs, arriving on 1sy August and attacked underway by HMS Oswald, missing. On 9 August, she laid a minefield off Pantelleria.
On 21 April 1941, only with Scirocco and Bande Nere, Cadorna, she became an indirect escort for a supply convoy to the Afrikakorps (transports Arcturus, Giulia, Leverkusen, Castellon), with the Folgore class. They alla arrived at Tripoli on the 24th.
On 11 May, indirect escort again with Bande Nere, Cadorna, Duca degli Abruzzi and Garibaldi and the DDs Alpino, Fuciliere, her sister Scirocco, and the Navigatori class da Recco, Pancaldo, Pessagno and Usodimare for the transports Preussen, Wachtfels, Ernesto, Tembien, Giulia and Col di Lana, then the direct escort of the Dardo, Aviere, Geniere, Grecale and Camicia Nera from Naples, unscathed to Tripoli on the 14th.
On 26 May she departed with Grecale and Cadorna for another convoy from Naples to Tripoli (Andrea Gritti, Sebastiano Venier, Marco Foscarini, Barbarigo, Rialto, Ankara) directly escorted by Vivaldi and da Noli, TBs Cigno, Procione, and Pegaso.

On 3 June, she laid mines northeast of Tripoli with Pigafetta, da Mosto, Da Verrazzano, da Recco, Gioberti, and Usodimare, protected by the Division IV (Bande Nere and Alberto di Giussano) and VII (Eugenio di Savoia, Duca d’Aosta, Attendolo).
By 19 June, with Scirocco and Grecale, she escorted a convoy for Tripoli (troop carriers Marco Polo, Esperia, Neptunia and Oceania) under direct escort by Vivaldi, da Recco, Gioberti and Oriani, TB Dezza, missed by HMS Unbeaten off Pantelleria, arrived the 20th. Later, HMS Unique torpedoed Esperia.
On July 7, she was in a minesweeping mission in the Strait of Sicily with Scirocco, Grecale, Pigafetta, Pessagno, da Recco, da Mosto, Da Verrazzano protected by CruDiv IV (Bande Nere, di Giussano) and VII (Attendolo, Duca d’Aosta).

On September 24, she set sail from Palermo with Duca degli Abruzzi and Attendolo and CruDiv III (Trento, Trieste, Gorizia), her sisters Scirocco and Grecale plus DesDiv XII (Corazziere, Lanciere, Ascari and Carabiniere) to intercept a British convoy but without radar and improper air coverage, they missed it.
On 8 November 1941, Maestrale (Captain Ugo Bisciani) left Naples with the convoy Duisburg (Duisburg, San Marco, Sagitta, Maria, Rina Corrado, Conte di Misurata, Minatitlan) for Tripoli. She sailed with Grecale, Fulmine, Euro, Oriani, and in distant cover Trento and Trieste plus 4 DDs. They were attacked by Force K (HMS Aurora, Penelope, DDs HMS Lance and Lively) with all the convoy plus the DD Fulmine sunk, Grecale taking heavy damage. Maestrale was at the head of the convoy but Cdr. Bisciani misjudged the situation and misunderstood the direction of Force K, ordered no counterattack but to cover the convoy with smoke screens. She was hit by HMS Penelope, but this caused little damage apart to severing her radio antenna. Without orders, the others DDs followed her moves, and failed to protect the transports. Libeccio was torpedoed and sunk by HMS Upholder in the late morning, and Maestrale rescued her crew with Euro.
On 19 November, with Oriani and Gioberti, she escorted the convoy “Alpha” (Ankara and Venier) from Tripoli to Naples, diverted to Taranto.
Between 1 and 2 December with Gioberti she carried 50 tons of petrol from Patras to Derna.

On 13 December she left Taranto with the battleship Duilio, cruiser Gorizia, DDs Oriani and Gioberti for Operation M. 41 (three convoys bound for Benghazi, from Taranto and Argostoli merchants Fabio Filzi, Carlo del Greco, Monginevro, Napoli, Ankara, Capo Orso. They were directly escorted by Da Recco, Usodimare, Pessagno, Saetta, Malocello, Pegaso, with three support groups. They were ambushed by HMS Upright and Urge, sinking Filzi and Del Greco, seriously damaging Littorio, the transports Iseo and Capo Orso colliding to avoid torpedoes.
On 16 December she sailed with the BBs Andrea Doria, Giulio Cesare and Littorio, the cruisers Trento and Gorizia, and several Soldati and Navigatori class DDs for operation «M 42» (2 convoys, Monginevro, Napoli, Ankara, Vettor Pisani, escorted by Saetta, Da Recco, Vivaldi, Da Noli, Malocello, Pessagno, Zeno) from Taranto for Benghazi, arrived the 18th, but the support group was in an inconclusive clash with a British formation, at the First Battle of Sirte. Maestrale was too far for action.
At 4 pm on 3 January 1942, Mastrale departed Naples with Duilio, Garibaldi, Montecuccoli, Attendolo, 4 DDs as indirect escort for Operation «M. 43» from Messina, Taranto and Brindisi to Tripoli. They arrived unscathed on the 5th, Maestrale returned to base the following day.

On 22 January she was again part of the escort for Operation T. 18 (troop transport Victoria from Taranto, Ravello, Monviso, Monginevro, Vettor Pisani from Messina) also escorted by DDs Vivaldi, Malocello, Da Noli, Aviere, Geniere, and Camicia Nera, TBs Orsa and Castore, they arrived in Tripoli on the 24th albeit Victoria was claimed by Swordfish attacks.
On February 21, she took part in Operation K.7 with DDs Pigafetta, Pessagno, Usodimare, Scirocco, TB Circe for a convoy formed by the large tanker Giulio Giordani and cargo ships Lerici and Monviso from Corfu to Tripoli.

Next she was in maintenance and modernization. On August 15, 1942, she escorted the Rosolino Pilo with Gioberti, when damaged by torpedo bombers and sunk by HMS P-44, Gioberti being also damaged by aircraft. Maestrale returned to Rapani and returned with Malocello to recover the crew of Pilo. On November 4, this was another Naples-Tripoli with Grecale, Oriani, Gioberti, TBs Clio and Animoso, Velite, protecting Giulia and Chisone, Veloce under constant air attacks.
On the 12-16 she carried troops and materials to Tunisia.
On November 28 she left Bizerta to escort with Folgore and Animoso, the auxiliary cruiser Città di Napoli. At 10:40 pm she was torpedo and sank in 50 minutes off Cape San Vito Siculo. ASW hunts but went nowhere so it was believed this was a mine, but they picked up the crew.
On 30 November with Grecale and Ascari, she was in a minelaying mission in the Strait of Sicily and was ordered to escort convoy B from Naples to Tunisia (Arlesiana, Achille Lauro, Campania, Menes and Lisboa) with the close support of the TBs Sirio, Orione, Groppo and Pallade, Uragano. They had to withdraw when British Force Q was spotted (HMS Aurora, Sirius, Argonaut, HMCS Quiberon and Quentin) in the night of 2 December.

On 9 January 1943, Maestrale left Naples under command of Captain Nicola Bedeschi, escorting Ines Corrado to Tunisia with Corsaro. At 8:00 PM in the evening, while 40 miles east of Bizerte, Maestrale was hit by a torpedo and lost her stern over 12 metres, immobilised. Corsaro approached to assist, but hit two mines and sank with 187 men. Maestrale, badly damaged, drifted on an Italian minefield until Commander Bedeschi managed to moor her under 350 meters, tying the two anchor chains together. Rescue units arrived and she was towed to Bizerte for temporary repairs, narrowly missed by bombs in a later US air raid.
On January 31, she was patched enough to be towed by the TB Animoso, escorted by two Gabbiano class corvettes, but Procellaria hit a mine underway. The TB Prestinari, which left Bizerte in assistance and also hit a mine and sank. Maestrale and Animoso, reached Trapani, then Naples.
After more repairs in Naples, Maestrale left in tow on 1 April with Corazziere, lacking her bow due after an aerial attack, to Naples, then Genoa on the 3rd, for major repairs.
The armistice caught her there in dry dock and on 9 September 1943, she scuttled by her crew with explosives.
The wreck was later recovered by the Germans, refloated, but scuttled again in 1945 to block Genoa, refloated and BU postwar. She made 157 missions for 54,859 miles, but 333 days under repair.

Grecale was ordered to Cantieri Navali Riuniti (CNT) of Ancona, laid down on 25 sept. 1931, launched on 17 june 1934 and in sevrice by 15 november 1934. From March 26, 1936, to July 9, 1939 she was in various missions, notably in the Spanish Civil War, Mediterranean and Atlantic, as well as missions in Belgium by August 1936, Lisbon in July 1939. On June 10, 1940 she entered DesDiv X with Maestrale, Libeccio, and Scirocco. On 2 July 1940 she took part in a first convoy as distant cover with the cruisers Bande Nere, Colleoni, the 1st CruDiv (Zara class) DesDiv IX and later to a convoy returning from Libya (Tripoli-Naples).
On 6 July, she was in operation TCM from Naples to Benghazi, 8 July. Back to Augusta her Squadron was present at the Battle of Punta Stilo.
On 27 July, she left Catania for another Naples-Tripoli, Operation “Trasporto Veloce Lento”, arrived on 1 August.
On August 9, she laid a minefield off Pantelleria.

In April 1941, she escorted German steamships for the Afrika Korps. On 11 May with Bande Nere, Cadorna, Duca degli Abruzzi, and Garibaldi she was in indirect escort of a convoy from Naples to Tripoli, they arrived on the 14th. On May 26, with Maestrale and the Cadorna, she escorted a convoy from Naples to Tripoli. On 19 June, with Scirocco and Maestrale, indirect escort, convoy to Tripoli, attacked en route by HMS Unbeaten off Pantelleria, but they arrived on the 20th. On 7 July, she laid mines in the Strait of Sicily. She later escorted a convoy consisting of transports (Tembien and Wachtfels were hit by aircraft). In August, she was in the convoy “Marco Polo.”
On 24 September, she left Palermo with Duca degli Abruzzi and Attendolo and CruDiv III Division, DesDiv XII to attack a British convoy, failed to reach it.
On November 8, 1941, under command of Frigate Captain Giovanni di Gropello she left Naples to join the convoy “Duisburg” for Tripoli, later attacked by night by “Force K” with all merchantmen and Fulmine sunk. Aurora fired three salvos at Grecale, at the tail of the convoy, she returned fire and tried to close and make two torpedo attacks but took eight 152 and 120 mm shell hits. 23 men were killed, 56 wounded. Her engine room was soon out of action. Immobilised her crew was busy putting down a fire aboard, and she was taken in tow by Oriani to Trapani and to Taranto, for repairs from November 1941 to March 1942 as well as modernization. In March 1942, she escorted two convoys.

On 16 March, she took part in Operation Sirio in indirect escort with Scirocco, Duca d’Aosta, escorting the transports Reichenfels, Vettor Pisani, and Assunta de Gregori, which all reached Libya unscathed.
At midnight on 21 March, DesRon XI (Aviere, Ascari, Oriani) departed Taranto together with Littorio for the Second Battle of Sirte. On 3-5 August, she escorted a convoy with Ankara, Nino Bixio, and Sestriere for Tobruk and Benghazi, with DDs Corsaro, Legionario, Freccia, Folgore, and Turbine, TBs Partenope and Calliope, were attacked en route by B-24 Liberator but arrived.
On November 4, she departed Naples with Maestrale, Oriani, Gioberti, Velite, TBs Clio and Animoso, to escort the Giulia and Chisone, Veloce for Tripoli through air attacks.
She also escorted the tanker Panuco. On November 30, she had a minelaying mission in the Strait of Sicily with Maestrale and Ascari. While back with the X Squadron she reinforced convoy «B» Naples-Tunisia with Arlesiana, Achille Lauro, Campania, Menes and Lisboa and 4 Tbs. They folded back when Force Q was spotted, but on 2 December, they intercepted and destroyed convoy «H».
On 3 January 1943, she was in Palermo when five British “chariots” attacked. She was heavily damaged as well as Viminale while the light cruiser Ulpio Traiano fitted out was sunk. Explosive charges were also placed on the hull of the Grecale, but were removed before detonating.

On 12 January, Grecale (under command of Luigi Gasparrini) departed Palermo when she accidentally rammed Ardente, near Cape San Vito. The bridge officer mistook the torpedo boat for an enemy one and made a ramming attack. Ardente sank with 118 men while the destroyer mushed her bow being up to the level of the bridge, sent back to port in rough seas. She was engaged in a transport mission of German soldiers from Palermo to Bizerte, lost 8 dead, 102 German soldiers died or disappeared as well.

Placed in dry dock to have her bow repaired, she bow, received one from a Tanker, and underwent replacement of her amidship AA and aft torpedo launcher by more AA. This was still proceeding in August 1943 but with the proclamation of the armistice, she sailed from La Spezia with Italia, Vittorio Veneto, and Roma, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Attilio Regolo, Duca degli Abruzzi, Eugenio di Savoia, Duca d’Aosta, and Montecuccoli, DDs Artigliere, Fuciliere, Mitragliere, Carabiniere, Legionario, Velite, and Oriani to surrender in Malta, arriving on September 11, and she was docked at Marsa Scirocco. On September 12, she refueled at Valletta and 2 days later, left to Alexandria, arrived on the 16th. Her career was over as the ship was immobilized, but the crew remained. In her early career she made 155 missions over 47,646 miles, surviving 11 attacks by submarines, 5 by bombers, 2 by torpedo bombers. She then took part in escort missions in co-belligerence and on 21-22 June 1944 with MS 74, she carried British “chariots” and crews to La Spezia for an attack that claimed Bolzano, captured by the Germans. She was modified and completely rebuilt postwar, having a Cold War career as an ASW frigate until 1964.

Libeccio, a South-West wind, was built by CNR Ancona, laid down 29 Sept. 1931, launched on 4 July 1934 and completed on 23 November 1934. In 1937-1938, she took part in the Spanish Civil War, being based in Tangier, to controlling traffic, notably stopping ships suspected to carry weapons for the Republicans. In 1939, she took part in landing operations in Albania, Operation “OMT” for “Oltremare Tirana”. Libeccio, Grecale and Scirocco (III Group, Admiral Arturo Riccardi) were tasked to seize Valona, supported by Giulio Cesare and Conte di Cavour, Saetta, Cigno, Castore, Centauro and Climene, the minelayer Azio, tanker Isonzo, troopship Sannio. Until Libeccio was modernized. From 10 June she was in DesDiv X with her sisters, assigned to the II Cruiser Division (Giovanni delle Bande Nere, Bartolomeo Colleoni), II Naval Squadron in La Spezia. They joined force with the III Division (Pola, Trento, Bolzano) from Messina for a sortie to intercept a French Force they never saw. On 2-4 July, Libeccio and in indirect escort for a convoy from Libya. On July 6 she took part in Operation TCM. She took part in the Battle of Punta Stilo on 9 July. On 27 July, she left Catania to join the escort for Operation “Trasporto Veloce Lento”, ambushed underway by HMS Oswald, sunk by Vivaldi, with torpedoes spotted by Grecale missing Col di Lana.
On August 9, 1940, she laid a minefield off Pantelleria and was later lightly damaged in the Taranto attack in the night of November 11. A bomb hit her, opening a large hole on her port side ner her main gun mount, but well above the waterline and it was a dud. She needed patching up though.

On 8 February 1941 she left La Spezia together to Messina for an interception mission, which failed to locate the enemy force.
On April 14, 1941, she escorted a convoy (Esperia) later rammed by the latter in a sudden turn to dodge presumed torpedoes by a submarine. The destroyer lost her stern and had to limp back to Palermo towed by Orione. After repairs on 8 November 1941, Libeccio (captain Corrado Tagliamonte) sailed from Naples to join the convoy «Beta» (Duisburg») to Tripoli. The were later spotted by a Martin Maryland from Malta, not attacked by the air escort 40 miles east of Capo Spartivento and the following night they were intercepted by radar-guided Force K (Aurora, Penelope, Lance and Lively). All merchantmen and Fulmine sunk, Grecale badly damageed between 00:57 and 02:06. Maestrale was in the lead, transports in two columns. Libeccio and Oriani protected the port side. Errors from Captain Ugo Bisciani on Maestrale saw Libeccio and Oriani attempting to cover merchantmen with smoke screens but taking the wrong direction after Masestrale’s radio antenna was blown off by a hit from Aurora. Without orders, joined by Euro, they withdrew 10 miles east of the convoy to reorganize and returned to counterattack, refraining to using their torpedoes, for fear of hitting the merchant ships. Led by Maestrale, they laid down further smoke screens and made several artillery passes each time the British were visible. No hit were scored, and the convoy was destroyed but Libeccio was hit, although this was light damage as the shell passed through without exploding.

She saved around 200 survivors, mostly from Fulmine. HMS Upholder surprised her, stopped for rescue, a perfect target. She was hit by at least one torpedo and sank at 11.15 on 9 November 1941 after being hit at 6:40 or 6:48. Her stern was destroyed, and she remained immobilized. She started sinking by the stern quite gradually, so she was taken in tow by Euro in an attempt to save her by sending for a grounding on the Italian coast. However, her damaged bulkheads did not stop the flooding. Euro came alongside to transfer personnel, for 4.5 hours, and she was abandoned except Commander Tagliamonte which remained on the bridge. He publicly denounced Admiral Bruno Brivonesi, commander of the indirect escort. The destroyer eventually capsized on her starboard and went under around 11.18, her bow upwards. Survivors, including Tagliamonte, surfaced and were recovered by Euro and Maestrale. She performed 59 missions for 20,987 miles, first ship of the Maestrale class lost.

Scirocco (South-East wind) was ordered from CT Riva Trigoso, laid down in 1931, launched on 22 April 1934, Completed 21 October. In 1937-1938, she took part in the Spanish Civil War, escorting merchant ships carrying Italian volunteers to Spain. On June 10, 1940 she was also in DesDiv X and took part in the same missions. First an indirect escort to Libya, and Tripoli-Naples.
Next on 6 July, Operation “TCM” as well as in distant support for the Battle of Punta Stilo. On 27 July, another Naples-Tripoli, Operation “Trasporto Veloce Lento”. On 9 August, she laid a minefield off Pantelleria. On 21 April 1941 she was in indirect escort, a convoy for the Deutsches Afrikakorps to Tripoli.
On May 11, another indirect escort to Tripoli and then the convoy “Maritza”. On 3 June, she laid two minefields northeast of Tripoli.
On 19 June, she joined the escort for Tripoli of troop carriers, ambushed by HMS Unique which torpedoed Esperia,. Scirocco took part in the rescue, saving 471 men.
On 7 July, she was mine laying the Strait of Sicily. On 24 September she left Palermo with DG Abruzzi and Attendolo, and the III Division, DesDiv XII to intercept a a British convoy, but failed to make contact. On January 3, 1942, she left Naples with Duilio, Garibaldi, Montecuccoli, Attendolo, and 4 DDs as indirect escort for Operation M. 43.
On 22 January, she was in indirect escort for Operation T. 18 from Taranto to Tripoli through two torpedo bomber attacks.
On 21 February she was in Operation K. 7″ from Corfu to Tripoli. In March, she escorted Nino Bixio and Reginaldo Giuliani. On 16 March, she took part in Operation Sirio in indirect escort (Reichenfels convoy) to Libya.
On 22 March, she left Taranto (Captain Francesco Dell’Anno) for the Second Battle of Sirte, but did not take part in the action. In the late afternoon of the 22nd, she was proceeding back in bad weather with Geniere when at 20.45, her port engine broke down, forcing her down to 14 knots, and after some repairs, to 20 knots. But at 00.07 on the 23rd, the weather was increasingly stormy, and she was forced to proceed at 7 knots due to accumulating issues. At 05.39 her engines completely broke down, leaving her stranded, drifting, unable to face the incoming waves. She ended up crosswise and despite efforts of the crew and Engineers, she was turned and rolled over, sinking at 05.45 about 150 miles east of Malta.
On March 26, a seaplane engaged in rescue spotted a dinghy and recovered two survivors, Sergeant Michele Perugini and Sailor Domenico Frisenda 80 miles from her sinking point, the only survivors out of a crew of 236. The Gold Medal for Military Valor was awarded in memory of Commander Dell’Anno. She performed 96 missions, covering 33,906 miles. She was also one of the rare Italian destroyers sunk by a storm in WW2, showing that any sailor needs to fight at all times two enemies, its designated national foe… and nature.

Read More/Src

Books

Brescia, Maurizio (2012). Mussolini’s Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regina Marina 1930–45. NIP.
Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. NIP.
Fraccaroli, Aldo (1968). Italian Warships of World War II. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan.
Roberts, John (1980). “Italy”. In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1922–1946. New York: Mayflower Books.
Rohwer, Jürgen; Hümmelchen, Gerhard (2005). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two (3rd rev. ed.). NIP.
Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2: An International Encyclopedia. NIP.

Links

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grecale_(cacciatorpediniere)
navypedia.org/ maestrale
trentoincina.it Maestrale
trentoincina.it/ Libeccio
trentoincina.it Crecale
trentoincina.it Scirocco
regiamarina.net/
it.wikipedia.org/ Classe Maestrale
italie1935-45.com/ maestrale
web.archive.org regiamarinaitaliana.it/
navweaps.com/ 47mm/50 m1926

WoW close views of the Maestrale

3D

None found

Video

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Model kits

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=251944