North African Deployment, Decima Flottiglia MAS

Allied Forces

• Royal Navy in the Mediteranean

Axis Forces

• X^a Flottiglia MAS
  • Capitano di Corvetta Salvatore Todaro
  • Capitano di Vascello Ernesto Forza
  • Tenente di Vascello Corrado Dequal
  • Tenente di Vascello Giuseppe Cosulich
  • Sottotenente di Vascello Corrado Garutti
  • Sottotenente di Vascello Piero Carminati
  • Sottotenente di Vascello Mameli Rattazzi
  • Sottotenente di VascelloEdoardo Longobardi
  • Sottotenente di Vascello Elio Scardamaglia
  • Capo di 2ª Classe Renato Garrone
  • Capo di 2ª Classe Ugo Patrizi
  • Capo di 2ª Classe Francesco Malfa
  • Capo di 2ª Classe Demetrio Raffa
  • Capo di 2ª Classe Aldo Pia
  • Capo di 2ª Classe Alberto Grilli
  • Capo di 3ª Classe Giovanni Rossi
  • Sergente Alcandido Mazziol
  • SottoCapo Gastone Michelacci
  • SottoCapo Cesare Sani
  • SottoCapo Pio Fanella
  • SottoCapo Goffredo Cerolini
  • Six Motoscafo Turismo Modificato
  • Six Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato

Operation

During 1942, the impact of the December 1941 naval operations in the Mediterenean continues to resonate, strengthening the resolve of the Royal Navy. Meanwhile, the British Eighth Army’s offensive gains momentum, countered by the Italian-German forces, which prepare for a counteroffensive. Both sides prioritise securing their supply lines while striving to weaken enemy logistics.

At the same time, the Xª Flottiglia MAS modifies its operational strategy and adapts its attack methods. By spring 1942, Italian naval planners consider contributing to the Mediterranean convoy warfare by using small explosive boats in a new tactic. These craft are covertly transported by the trawlers Sogliola and Cefalo and the Motorsailer Constanza, which operate along the North African coast. Disguised as harmless fishing boats, they carry Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s and Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s, prepared to be launched against enemy shipping.

In June 1942, the Axis forces launch a major offensive on the Libyan front. On June 21^st, 1942, they capture Tobruk, and by June 29^th, 1942, they cross into Egypt, advancing towards El Alamein, a strategic position near Alexandria and the Suez Canal entrance. As the offensive progresses, the Italians decide to deploy a naval assault unit along the Cyrenaican coast. By early July, the Trawler Sogliola carries four Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s, while the Motorsailer Constanza transports three Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s with their crews towards Tobruk. However, British air raids soon render the base too vulnerable. The entire unit relocates to El Dab’a, a small Egyptian coastal town 50 kilometres west of El Alamein. To provide logistical support, the Autocolonna Giobbe is formed, consisting of an improvised convoy with a crane, tankers, and transport vehicles. Autocolonna Giobbe, is formed in North Africa during the summer of 1942. It is named in memory of Giorgio Giobbe, the officer in charge of the flotilla’s surface craft department, who was killed off Malta in 1941. The convoy is tasked with conducting operations along the coast, targeting enemy naval units engaged in coastal bombardments near the El Alamein front.

The assault craft assigned to the unit originate from the motorsailer Costanza, which had been carrying three Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s. However, with increasing enemy reconnaissance and growing Anglo-American air superiority, keeping the boats hidden becomes impossible.

Due to the urgency of the operation and the distance from Italian bases, the Autocolonna Giobbe is assembled using only vehicles and equipment readily available in North Africa, including captured war material. Essential supplies, such as compressors, generators, and field kitchens, are gathered under the direction of Capitano di Vascello Forza, who is temporarily assigned to Africa to oversee the mission. The unit is initially equipped with the three Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s from Costanza, armed with five torpedoes, 300 litres of fuel, and six depth charges. Its personnel consist of 19 men, reinforced by 50 sailors from the San Marco Regiment for defensive and security duties.

Autocolonna Giobbe departs Derna, Libya on August 21^st, 1942, heading for the Ras el Dab’a region in Egypt. Within days, a forward operating base is established in El Garut, about 50 kilometres west of El Alamein.

Autocolonna Giobbe quickly gets an opportunity to engage the enemy. On the night of August 29^th, 1942, MTSM 228, manned by Lieutenant Piero Carminati and Leading Seaman Cesare Sani, launches a surprise attack against four British destroyers shelling Axis coastal positions. The 450-millimetre torpedo strikes H.M.S. Eridge, a Hunt-class escort destroyer, directly beneath its after gun mount, severing its stern and immobilising the vessel. Despite efforts to tow it back to Alexandria, the damage proves irreparable, and the ship is later scrapped. MTSM 228 evades the British counterattack but is mistakenly destroyed by German aircraft soon after. Both crew members survive and are later awarded the Medaglia d’Argento al Valor Militare.

Following the attack at Ras el Dab’a, Egypt, British naval forces become more cautious, and over the following months, Giobbe’s Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s struggle to find new opportunities for assault.

By this time, the convoy is reinforced by four Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s that had previously been deployed on the trawler Sogliola. The pilots, Garrone, Grilli, Raffa, and Rossi, arrive from Italy with their transport trucks. However, with no viable targets in the area, these craft are soon withdrawn and returned to Derna.

As British air raids intensify, maintaining the El Dab’a position becomes increasingly difficult. Despite further attempts to attack British ships and even Alexandria harbour, the base is eventually abandoned. Personnel and key equipment return to Italy, while the remaining assets withdraw to Libya.

With the failure of the Italian-German offensive at El Alamein, and the increasing dominance of the Royal Air Force in the region, continuous air raids make the El Dab’a base untenable. By late September, a decision is made to relocate Autocolonna Giobbe to Ras al-Helal, Libya, 50 kilometres west of Derna, Libya.

By October 1942, preparations begin for establishing a new base at Pantelleria, Italy. The Italian assault unit, now led by Commander Todaro, relocates to Bizerte, where it merges with Autocolonna Giobbe from Libya. This convoy includes five heavy trucks with trailers, two tractor-trailers, two fuel tankers, a crane truck, and a van, transporting four Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s and six Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s.

As the British Eighth Army launches its decisive offensive at El Alamein in October-November 1942, Axis forces are forced into a general retreat.

Despite the improvised nature of this transport operation, it enables the formation of a highly mobile attack unit. This force conducts multiple naval and land-based raids behind enemy lines, often carried out by Raiders “N”. However, on December 14^th, 1942, during the return journey from a failed attack on the port of Bona, the trawler Cefalo is attacked by a British aircraft. The Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s onboard sustain damage, and the vessel runs aground in shallow waters. Tragically, Commander Todaro is killed by enemy machine-gun fire, marking a significant loss for the Italian special operations forces.

Autocolonna Giobbe withdraws alongside them, reaching Bizerte, Tunisia, on December 15^th, 1942, after briefly stopping in Tripoli. By this stage, the unit comprises four Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s, six Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s, five transport trucks with trailers, two tractor-trailers, a pickup truck, a motorcycle, a crane truck with a compressor, and two fuel tankers.

Shortly afterward, the Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s are shipped back to Italy, while the Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s continue operations in Tunisia, alongside the light motor torpedo boats from the Cefalo. They remain active until the final Axis withdrawal from North Africa in May 1943. The surviving personnel eventually return to Italy, where they are reassigned to naval assault craft units operating from Augusta and Sardinian waters.

By July 1943, as the Allies prepare to invade Sicily, the MAS Headquarters (Generalmas) plans the deployment of two additional land convoys for the island’s defence. One is assigned to Mazara del Vallo, intended to support four Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s positioned on the south coast of Favignana in the Aegadian Islands. This unit is scheduled for readiness by July 25^th, 1943, equipped with four Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s. Another convoy, set to be operational by July 15^th, 1943, is stationed at Falconara Sicula, near Gela, with four Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s and four Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s.

Further reinforcements are planned for August, with another land convoy to be established in Catania to cover eastern Sicily. The returning Motoscafo Turismo Silurante Modificato’s and Motoscafo Turismo Modificato’s from Tunisia and Lampedusa are designated for overhaul at Melilli, near Augusta, where they would be refitted and redeployed to the new Sicilian bases as needed.

However, the rapid Anglo-American advance following the July 10^th, 1943, invasion of Sicily prevents the completion of these defensive preparations. Some of the assault boats manage to escape to mainland Italy, but many are destroyed either by their own crews or in combat. The collapse of the Sicilian front marks the end of the Xª Flottiglia MAS’s land-based naval assault operations in the Mediterranean.

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