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The Italian submarine fleet of World War II was one of the largest in the world at that time, second only to that of the Soviet Union. It saw action during the Second World War, serving mainly in the Mediterranean. During the conflict 88 submarines, some two-thirds of its total strength, were lost. ==Construction history== After World War I Italy had a fleet 47 submarines in various classes; these were mostly obsolescent and she was interested in replacing them. To this end the Italian Royal Navy (''Regia Marina'') made plans for a fleet of vessels in three Types: Type I ocean-going: Type 2 coastal/sea-going; Type 3 mine layers. The Navy also invested time and resources in midget submarines and underwater special forces. At the same time the major powers were negotiating an arms limitation treaty at the 1922 Washington Naval Conference. Whilst there was discussion of banning submarines altogether, and to outlaw their use (a course favoured by Britain) both Italy and France opposed this. However the conference did place restrictions on the number and size of warships of various types that nations could build.〔Bagnasco p132〕 The ocean-going submarine was restricted to a 1500 ton surface displacement, while the coastal submarine was limited to 600 tons, though there was no limit placed on the numbers of these vessels that could be built. Between 1925 and 1929 Italy built a series of ocean-going submarines in a number of small classes, in order to find the most suitable designs for expansion. Work was done principally by the design bureaux of Cavallini, resulting in the ''Mameli'' and ''Settembrini'' classes, and of Bernardis, building the ''Pisani'', ''Bandiera'', and ''Squalo'' classes. They also commissioned a design by Ansaldo, the ''Balilla'' class. This was followed in 1930’s by the ''Archimede'', ''Brin'', and, just prior to war, ''Liuzzi'' classes from Cavallini, and the ''Glauco'', ''Marcello'', and later, ''Marconi'' classes from Bernardis. They also ordered the ''Calvi'' and ''Argo'' classes from Ansaldo. Just prior to war, in 1939, the Italians also commissioned the ''Cagni'' class, designed specifically as a commerce raider with a long range and armed with 14 Torpedo Tubes of 17.7in calibre (these being more suitable against merchant ships). These were built to a CRDA/Bernardis design. For coastal and medium range operations, the Italian Navy ordered a series of submarine classes, known as the 600 series. This commenced in 1929 with the ''Argonauta'' class, followed by the ''Sirena'', ''Perla'', ''Adua'', and ''Accaiao'' classes, all to Bernardis designs. For minelaying operations the Italians built the ''Bragadin'' class in 1927 (a Bernardis design), followed in 1930 by the ''Micca'', and then the ''Foca'' class, from Cavallini. Italy's interest in midget submarines resulted in the CA class, built in 1938, and followed during the war by CB, CC and CM classes. She also developed a manned torpedo, the SLC, an update of an Italian First World War design, for use by the Navy's special forces. During World war II Italy also had designs for a wartime building programme. This was the ''Flutto'' class of submarines, an enlarged 600 series design for medium range use, with mass production under war-time conditions in mind. 48 vessels, in three series (Types) were ordered, but only 12 were completed. Also during the war Italy came to require a submersible transport; designs for this led to the ''R'', or ''Romolo'' class of boats. Again, though 12 were ordered, only two were completed. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Italian submarines of World War II」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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