" Alberto da Giussano " ( Italian. Alberto da Giussano ) - Italian light cruiser type "Alberico da Barbiano" , participated in the Second World War . Named after the Italian condottier from the Middle Ages.
| Alberto da Giussano | |
|---|---|
| Alberto da giussano | |
| Service | |
 Italy | |
| Title | Alberto da Giussano |
| original name | Alberto da giussano |
| Class and type of vessel | light cruiser type "Alberico da Barbiano" |
| Organization | Royal Naval Forces of Italy |
| Manufacturer | Giuseppe Viana |
| Construction started | March 29, 1928 |
| Launched | April 27, 1930 |
| Commissioned | January 1, 1931 |
| Withdrawn from the fleet | December 13, 1941 |
| Status | sunk in battle at Cape Bon |
| Main characteristics | |
| Displacement | 6571 t (standard), 6954 t (full) |
| Length | 169.3 m |
| Width | 15.5 m |
| Draft | 5.3 m |
| Reservation | Belt: 24 mm Gun turrets: 23 mm Tower: 40 mm |
| Engines | 6 Yarrow-Ansaldo boilers, 2 Beluzzo turbines |
| Power | 95 thousand hp |
| Mover | 2 screws |
| Speed | 37 knots |
| Sailing range | 3,800 nautical miles at 18 knots |
| Crew | 507 people |
| Armament | |
| Artillery | 4 × 2 - 152 mm / 53 guns |
| Flak | 3 × 2 - 100 mm / 47, 4 × 2 - 37 mm / 53, 4 × 2 - 13.2 mm machine gun |
| Mine torpedo armament | 4 torpedo tubes with caliber 533 mm |
| Aviation group | 2 x CANT 25 or IMAM Ro.43 |
History
The order for the construction of the cruiser came in 1928 . The laying on the slipway took place on March 29, 1928 , launched on April 27, 1930 . The cruiser was equipped with armor from 20 to 40 mm thick, equipped with eight 152 mm guns, six 100 mm guns and 16 machine guns. Developed speed up to 37 knots. Turbine steam was obtained from six Yarrow boilers. The installation was deployed according to the echelon principle, which was to increase its survivability. The design capacity of the two turbines was to be equal to 95 thousand hp.
The cruiser Alberto da Giussano participated in various exercises of the Italian Navy as part of the 2nd squadron, and assisted the Spanish nationalists during the Civil War in Spain . On June 10, 1940, the cruiser was transferred to the 4th cruising division, along with the 1st squadron and the single-series cruiser Alberico da Barbiano . He participated in the installation of minefields in August near Pantelleria, supplied convoys and transported troops to North Africa.
On December 12, 1941, together with the twin cruiser Alberico da Barbiano , he left the port, transporting fuel for the Erwin Rommel African Corps. Numerous barrels of gasoline were installed directly on the decks of the cruisers. Due to the high speed, the cruisers hoped to quickly reach the port of arrival and deliver the cargo intact, avoiding battles with British forces. However, on December 13, near Cape Bon, their convoy was intercepted by a British group of destroyers. The Alberto da Giussano was torpedoed by one of the destroyers, and all the barrels on the deck exploded, resulting in a major fire. Soon he sank, a similar fate awaited Alberico da Barbiano . Of the 720 crew members, 283 people died.
Literature
Giorgio Giorgerini, La guerra italiana sul mare. La marina fra vittoria e sconfitta 1940-1943