Launched on 25 July 1937, Vittorio Veneto was the second of the Littorio-class battleships built for the Italian Regia Marina. Commissioned on 28 April 1940 she had three sister ships, Littorio, Roma and never completed Impero.
During World War Two, Vittorio Veneto saw extensive service. She was undamaged during the Battle of Taranto when the Italian Fleet was attacked by 21 Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers. Three other battleships were damaged; Conte di Cavour, Littorio and Duilio.
On 17 November 1940 during the Battle of Cape Spartivento, Vittorio Veneto engaged British cruisers at long range but without effect.
During the Battle of Cape Matapan on 22 March 1941, she again engaged British cruisers, inflicting minor splinter damage on HMS Orion. That afternoon, HMS Formidable launched Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers, one of which scored a hit on her port side shearing off the port side propeller, damaging the shaft, jamming the port rudder, and disabling the aft port pumps. It also caused flooding and a list of 4 to 4.5 degrees. While she was immobilized, a Bristol Blenheim bomber dropped a bomb that landed near her stern; the blast caused further, minor damage to the stern. I took until August 1941 for her to be operational again.
The rest of the war consisted of convoy escorts and attempts to intercept British convoys. During on of these escort missions on 13 December 1941, she was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Urge. Repairs lasted until early 1942.
On 5 June 1943, Vittorio Veneto was badly damaged by an American air raid on La Spezia; she was hit by two large bombs toward the bow, though only one detonated. That bomb passed through the ship and exploded under the hull, causing serious structural damage.
Following the Italian armistice, Vittorio Veneto moved to Malta. In transit she was attacked by Luftwaffe Dornier Do 217 bombers armed with Ftitz X guided bombs. Although she escaped unharmed, her sister Roma was sunk and Italia (previously Littorio) was badly damaged.
Post war Vittorio Veneto was allocated as a war prize to Britain. She was subsequently sold off for scrapping in 1948.
Vittorio Veneto before launchingThe hull of Vittorio Veneto at the C.D.R.A. yard in Trieste in July 1937, nearly ready for launchingVittorio Veneto before launchingVittorio Veneto during fitting out at the shipyard in Trieste
Battle of Cape Spartivento
Vittorio Veneto engages British cruisers with her 381mm battery at the Battle of Cape Spartivento (Capo Teulada), 27 November 1940
Battle of Cape Matapan
Vittorio Veneto firing her 15in guns on British cruisers during a brief engagement near Gaudo Island, the afternoon before the battle of MatapanVittorio Veneto after being torpedoed by British aircraft during the Battle of MatapanVittorio Veneto in the morning of 29 March 1941, sailing for Taranto after the Battle of Cape Matapan, visibly down by her sternVittorio Veneto in Taranto, June 1941, undergoing repairs following the Battle of Cape MatapanThe underwater damage to Vittorio Veneto resulting from a torpedo hit on 28 March 1941
General Photos
Vittorio Veneto sailing at high speed during sea trialsVittorio Veneto on trials, 1940Vittorio Veneto soon after completion in 1940Vittorio Veneto soon after completion in 1940 possibly at Naples, Italy.Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto, May 1940, off the Ligurian CoastVittorio Veneto, December 1941Littorio and Vittorio Veneto in the Mediterranean during World War TwoEither Littorio or Vittorio Veneto during 1941 taken toward the stern looking forward at the no. 3 triple 15-inch turretVittorio Veneto underway in 1942Stern view of Vittorio Veneto, somewhere in 1942-43Vittorio Veneto in 1943La Spezia Naval Base, 30 March 1943. Vittorio Veneto fires her forward turret guns during in-port artillery practice.Trial shot Vittorio Veneto. Spezia, 1943Vittorio Veneto and Littorio. La Spezia, March 1943Vittorio Veneto getting leaving Mar Piccolo, TarantoVittorio Veneto at seaVittorio VenetoVittorio VenetoVittorio VenetoVittorio VenetoVittorio VenetoVittorio VenetoVittorio VenetoItalian Royal Navy officers in dress uniform standing on the poop deck of the battleship Vittorio Veneto
Armament
The forward 15″ guns of Vittorio Veneto with Littorio in the background. Sailing in the Ionian Sea, September 1940The aft 15″ guns of Vittorio Veneto
Vittorio Veneto’s Aircraft
Reggiane Re.2000 Catapultabile fighter
At Malta
Vittorio Veneto at La Valleta, Malta, 11 September 1943Littorio and Vittorio Veneto at Malta following the Italian surrender in September 1943Vittorio Veneto at Malta following the Italian surrender 13 September 1943
Scrapping
Vittorio Veneto ready to be scrapped, 3 January 1948 in La SpeziaItalia (ex-Littorio) and Vittorio Veneto awaiting scrappingThe 15 inch barrels of Vittorio Veneto seen being cut during the scrapping of the ship at La Spezia, 1948
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