Bolzano was a heavy cruiser of the Italian Regia Marina. Based on the Trento-class and sometimes considered part of that class, Bolzano was launched on 31 August 1932 and commissioned on 19 August 1933.
Not long after Italy’s entry into World War Two, Bolzano took part in the Battle of Calabria (9 July1940) where she was hit by three 6″ shells fired by HMS Neptune. This damaged was repaired and on the night of 11/12 November 1940, she was at Taranto when the British launched an attack on the Italian fleet. As she did not fire on the attacking aircraft her position was not revealed and she received no damage.
Bolzano took part in the Battles of Cape Spartivento (26 November 1940) and Cape Matapan (27-29 March 1941). She then undertook convoy escort to and from North Africa. During a convoy escort in July 1941 she was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Triumph. After repairs, she resumed convoy duty in November 1941.
On 11 August 1942 while attempting to intercept a British convoy, she was torpedoed by the submarine HMS Unbroken. The torpedo started a fire which threatened to spread to the forward magazine. The crew flooded to area to prevent a detonation and then grounded her to prevent the ship sinking. First towed to Naples for temporary repairs, she was later transferred to La Spezia. At this stage of the war, Italy was unable to repair the ship and she was still at La Spezia when Italy surrendered in September 1943.
On the night of 21–22 June 1944, a team of British and Italian frogmen—Italy having re-entered the war on the side of the Allies—entered La Spezia using Chariot manned torpedoes to sink Bolzano and Gorizia to prevent the Germans from sinking them as blockships. They succeeded in sinking Bolzano but Gorizia remained afloat. In September 1949, salvage workers raised the ship and she was subsequently broken up for scrap.
Bolzano ready for launchconning tower and the fore turrets of Bolzano during its fitting out, Genoa, 1933Bolzano during fitting out, 1932
In Service
Bolzano soon after commissioningBolzano undergoing early sea trials, late 1932 or early 1933Bolzano on 10 March 1938Bolzano, being illuminated at night, in the 1930sBolzano photographed before World War IIBolzano in September 1940Bolzano in the morning of 27 November 1940, during the Battle of Cape SpartiventoBolzano at Messina on 26 August 1941, showing the serious structural damage suffered in the aft section by a torpedo launched by HMS TriumphTrieste, Bolzano and Trento followed by Zara, Fiume, Pola and GoriziaThe day before the Battle of Calabria Italian heavy cruisers from the left to the right are the cruisers Bolzano, Trento, Fiume, Zara, Pola, GoriziaBolzano early 1942Bolzano June 1942Bolzano June 1942Bolzano’s foredeckBolzano BolzanoBolzanoBolzanoBolzano under attack by Swordfish of the Fleet Air Arm on 28th March 1941Bolzano and Trento underwayBolzano
Armament
Bolzano’s two twin 203mm aft turretsBolzano’s two twin 203mm aft turretsAft turrets of Bolzano during its fitting outBolzano’s two twin 203mm forward turretsBolzano’s two twin 203mm forward turretsBolzano Bolzano’s 100mm secondary armament
Interior
A toilet aboard the Italian heavy cruiser BolzanoA bathroom of the Italian heavy cruiser Bolzano
Aircraft
View amidships. Two IMAM Ro. 43 floatplanes can be seenIMAM Ro. 43 floatplane on the Italian heavy cruiser BolzanoIMAM Ro. 43 floatplane on the Italian heavy cruiser BolzanoIMAM Ro. 43 floatplane on the Italian heavy cruiser BolzanoView of the forward superstructure. An IMAM Ro. 43 floatplane can be seen amidships
Torpedo Damaged Caused by HMS Unbroken
Bolzano shortly after being torpedoed by HMS Unbroken on 12 August 1942Bolzano shortly after being torpedoed by HMS Unbroken during Operation PedestalBolzano shortly after being torpedoed by HMS Unbroken during Operation Pedestal, 13 August 1942Bolzano, listing heavily to port and threatening to capsize, near the island of Panarea (Thyrrenian Sea), early afternoon of 13 August 1942Bolzano lies on the seabed after she was torpedoed by the British submarine UnbrokenBolzano, refloated after being torpedoed
