| Page Created |
| January 13th, 2025 |
| Last Updated |
| January 14th, 2025 |
| Italy |
 |
| Length |
| 113.9 metres |
| Wide |
| 11.70 metres |
| Draught |
| 3.50 metres |
| Tonnage |
| 1,764 |
| Propulsion |
| 4 three-drum boilers 2 geared turbines |
| Armour |
| – |
| Armament |
- two 102/35-millimetre (4-inch) guns
- six 20-millimetre Breda 20/65 modello 35 anti-aircraft guns
| Avviso Veloce Diana |
 |
The Diana is laid down on May 31st, 1939, at the Cantieri Navali del Quarnaro shipyard in Fiume, launched on May 20th, 1940, and completed on November 12th, 1940, originally built as a yacht for Benito Mussolini. The Diana has an overall length of 113.9 metres and a beam of 11.7 metres. Its draught is 3.5 metres, allowing it to operate in relatively shallow waters. The vessel has a tonnage of 1,764. The original design includes two modern 90/50-millimetre guns, used on the latest Italian battleships, but these are replaced by two older 102/35-millimetre (4-inch) guns due to wartime constraints. Additionally, six 20-millimetre Breda 20/65 modello 35 anti-aircraft guns are installed for air defense. During the war, Diana serves as a fast transport, carrying crucial cargo and personnel.
In the spring of 1941, the Diana is outfitted with specialized crutches and davits designed to handle Motoscafi da Turismo-type boats. Serving as a transport vessel on Operazione Malta Due, it tows an Motoscafo Turismo Lento carrying two Siluro a Lenta Corsa’s while also transporting nine explosive motorboats destined for the ill-fated assault on Valletta Harbour on the night of July 25th, 1941, and July 26th, 1941. Departing from Augusta, the vessel supports this ambitious operation against Malta, which ultimately ends in failure.
| H.M.S. Thrasher Attack |
On June 28th, 1942, the ship departs Messina, Italy, on a mission to deliver personnel and supplies, including petrol, to Tobruk, a key Axis-held city in North Africa. The mission draws the attention of the British Royal Navy, as Allied forces target Axis supply lines in the Mediterranean. Commander Sir Hugh Mackenzie of H.M.S. Thrasher patrols the area and receives intelligence about a critical Axis vessel in the region, later identified as Diana.
At 02:42 hours, a signal from headquarters orders H.M.S. Thrasher, commanded by Lieutenant H.S. Mackenzie, to patrol along a north-south course through position 33°18’N, 23°20’E to intercept a reported fast merchant vessel of 3,000 tons. Later identified as the Diana.
By 05:53 hours, the H.M.S. Thrasher dives and begins its new patrol. At 07:48 hours, it commences patrolling on north-south courses through the designated area. At 11:25 hours, masts are sighted in position 33°21’N, 23°20’E, bearing 360°, approximately 15 kilometres away. The ship appears to be heading directly toward the submarine and is identified as a small, fast auxiliary vessel. Assessing it to be carrying vital cargo, Lieutenant Mackenzie decides to engage.
At 11:44 hours, H.M.S. Thrasher fires six torpedoes from a range of approximately 550 metres, achieving at least two hits (Italian sources suggest two, while British reports claim four). The Diana sinks rapidly at position 33°30’N, 23°30’E. Immediately after the attack, motor torpedo boats launch a counterattack, dropping 17 depth charges. H.M.S. Thrasher evades the attack and returns to periscope depth at 12:40 hours, where it observes rafts and two motor torpedo boats at the attack site.
The sinking of the Diana results in 336 fatalities, with 146 survivors rescued by the Italian hospital ship Arno and German S-boats, though one of the rescued later dies.
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