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This event repeats every year forever
On this day in 1918, while sailing to meet the rest of the Austro-Hungarian fleet gathered for the attempt to break the Otranto Barrage, a dreadnought battleship Szent István (sister of Viribus Unitis) was spotted and engaged by two Italian motor torpedo boats. Two torpedoes from MAS 15 and possibly one from MAS 21 hit the battleship, which capsized and sunk.
This ended the raid on the Barrage and, in turn, motivated Italy to further develop light forces development.
This ended the raid on the Barrage and, in turn, motivated Italy to further develop light forces development.
This event repeats every year forever
First surface engagement between the Italian and Allied units in WWII - a small convoy of Italian destroyers carrying antitank units to Africa was intercepted by the 7th Cruiser Squadron.
Order of battle:
7th Cruiser Squadron (VAdm John Tovey) 1st Cruiser Division HMS Orion (flagship) HMS Neptune HMAS Sydney HMS Gloucester 2nd Cruiser Division HMS Manchester HMS Gloucester
2nd Destroyer Squadron (Capitano di Fregata Enrico Baroni) Espero (flagship) - Sunk Ostro Zeffiro
Result:
Allied victory - Espero sunk
On the flip side, remaining destroyers escaped and ammunition consumption halted cruiser squadron activities for some time, leading to delays in convoys to Malta.
Order of battle:
7th Cruiser Squadron (VAdm John Tovey) 1st Cruiser Division HMS Orion (flagship) HMS Neptune HMAS Sydney HMS Gloucester 2nd Cruiser Division HMS Manchester HMS Gloucester
2nd Destroyer Squadron (Capitano di Fregata Enrico Baroni) Espero (flagship) - Sunk Ostro Zeffiro
Result:
Allied victory - Espero sunk
On the flip side, remaining destroyers escaped and ammunition consumption halted cruiser squadron activities for some time, leading to delays in convoys to Malta.