Torpedo%20Bombers%20(Images%20of%20War) by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Format: epub
Published: 2015-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

Italian Operations

On 2 April 1941, two SM.79s of 34 Gruppo attacked British shipping at Crete and sank the 5325-ton merchant vessel Homefield. On 18 April, the tanker British Science was torpedoed by Cimicchi of the same unit. In May three SM.79s hit the steamer Rawnsley. During the battle for Crete, 281 Squadriglia made many attacks in co-operation with the Luftwaffe upon Cunningham’s fleet defending that island. But the only achievement was that of sinking the already damaged destroyer Hereward after she had been hit by Stukas. In August that year, an attack by three SM.79s piloted by Buscaglia, Graziani and Forzinetti resulted in a hit on the netlayer Protector by Graziani but she did not sink.

On 20 August 1941, two of 281’s aircraft severely damaged the tanker Turbo (4782 tons) while the next day they attacked a destroyer off Alexandria and claimed a single hit. On 13 October, three of 281’s torpedo bombers made a daylight attack on the British Battle Fleet west of Alexandria, Cesare and Faggioni attacking the battleship Queen Elizabeth, while Cimicchi pressed home his attack against the Barham. He thought that he had hit her but this claim was not substantiated and a month later she fell victim to the German submarine U-331 in the same waters.

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