| Page Created |
| January 17th, 2025 |
| Last Updated |
| January 17th, 2025 |
| Italy |
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| Maestrale-Class Destroyers |
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The Maestrale-class destroyers are a group of ships built for the Royal Italian Navy (Regia Marina) and play a significant role during the Second World War. Designed to address the stability issues of the preceding Folgore-class destroyers, the Maestrale-class forms the foundation for later Italian destroyer designs, including the Oriani and Soldati classes.
The Maestrale-class introduces a completely new design, with a length between perpendiculars of 101.6 metres and an overall length of 106.7 metres. The ships have a beam of 10.15 metres, a mean draft of 3.31 metres, and a deep load draft of 4.3 metres. They displace 1,640 metric tons at standard load and 2,243 metric tons at deep load. During wartime, they carry a complement of 190 officers and enlisted personnel.
These destroyers are powered by two Parsons geared steam turbines, each connected to a single propeller shaft and supplied with steam by three three-drum boilers. The turbines generate 44,000 shaft horsepower, enabling the ships to achieve speeds of 32–33 knots in service. During sea trials, the ships reach speeds of 38–39 knots when lightly loaded. The Maestrale-class is capable of a range of 2,600–2,800 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots and 690 nautical miles at a speed of 33 knots.
The main armament includes four 50-calibre 120-millimetre guns mounted in two twin-gun turrets, one positioned forward and one aft of the superstructure. Additionally, the ships feature two 15-calibre 120-millimetre star shell guns located amidships. For anti-aircraft defence, the Maestrale-class is equipped with four 13.2-millimetre machine guns. Torpedo armament consists of six 533-millimetre torpedo tubes arranged in two triple mounts amidships. Although not equipped with sonar for anti-submarine warfare, the ships are fitted with a pair of depth charge throwers and have the capacity to carry 56 naval mines.
The destroyer of the Maestrale-class Grecale, undergoes modifications in January 1944 to transport explosive and light motor torpedo boats. These changes include the removal of one of its 533-millimetre triple torpedo tubes to accommodate its new role. The planned loadout includes two Motoscafi Turismo Silurante Modificati and three Motoscafo Turismo Modificato, intended for a mission targeting the German-occupied base at Suda Bay, Crete.
After loading the assault craft, Grecale is deployed to Tobruk to await favourable conditions for the operation. However, persistent bad weather in the region delays the mission, which is ultimately cancelled.
In June 1944, Grecale is tasked with a different operation. Embarking two Motoscafi Turismo Silurante Modificati and four Gamma divers, the destroyer transports these craft from Bastia, Corsica, to La Spezia on the evening of June 21st, 1944. The mission also involves MS 74, which carries two British Chariot manned torpedoes. The coordinated effort results in the successful attack on the hulk of the abandoned Italian cruiser Bolzano, sinking it and removing the risk of its potential reuse.
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