| Page Created |
| January 17th, 2025 |
| Last Updated |
| January 17th, 2025 |
| Italy |
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| Soldati-Class Destroyers |
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The Soldati-class destroyers, also known as the Camicia Nera class (Blackshirt class), are a group of warships constructed for the Regia Marina. These ships are named after military professions, with names such as Artigliere (Artilleryman). The class is built in two batches: twelve ships are completed between 1938 and 1939, while a second batch of seven is ordered in 1940, of which only five are finished.
The propulsion system is similar to that of the Oriani class, featuring two geared steam turbines driving two propeller shafts. This system produces 48,000 shaft horsepower, allowing the ships to achieve speeds of up to 38 knots. The class is identifiable by its single large funnel, characteristic of Italian destroyer designs of the era.
The Soldati-class design originates in 1936 when the Regia Marina orders twelve vessels. This design closely follows the Oriani-class destroyers, which themselves are an evolution of the earlier Maestrale-class. The Soldati-class retains the Oriani-class’s main gun configuration of four 120-millimetre/50 calibre guns, mounted in two twin turrets, one forward and one aft. Torpedo armament consists of two triple 533-millimetre torpedo tubes.
A 15-calibre 120-millimetre gun is mounted between the torpedo banks, designed for firing starshells during night operations. The anti-aircraft defence includes twelve 13.2-millimetre machine guns. Notably, one ship, Carabiniere, is completed with a fifth 120-millimetre/50 calibre gun replacing the starshell gun, increasing its firepower.
The Soldati class suffers heavy losses during the war, with ten ships destroyed in combat. Of the seven surviving ships, three are transferred to the French Navy, and two are given to the Soviet Navy as war reparations. The remaining two continue service in the post-war Italian Navy, the Marina Militare.
The Legionario, a destroyer of the second series of the Soldati-Class, is modified in the spring of 1945 to serve as a transport for Motoscafi Turismo Silurante Modificati.
On the evening of April 18th, 1945, the Legionario arrives off Genoa from Livorno, acting as an approacher for Motoscafi Turismo Silurante Modificati 230 and 232. These motorboats are part of a coordinated operation alongside MS 74, which carries two Chariot Mk I manned torpedoes operated by Mariassalto divers. The mission’s objective is to sink the unfinished aircraft carrier Aquila, which the Germans plan to use to obstruct the harbour. Despite the Chariots successfully mining the Aquila, the massive hull remains afloat due to unforeseen circumstances.
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