Perla class submarine
Encyclopedia
The Italian Perla-class submarines were a group of submarines built for the Italian Navy
in the 1930s. They were the third sub-class of the 600 Series
of submarines built by Italy and designed by Bernadis.
The Iride and Onice were lent to the Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War
as the Gonzales Lopez and Aquilar Tablada respectively. They retained their Italian crews with a Spanish liaison officer. They were returned to the Italian Navy at the end of the conflict.
In 1940-42 the Ambra and Iride were modified as carriers for "Maiale" manned torpedoes
for use by the Decima Flottiglia MAS
. The "Maiale" were carried in watertight containers on the deck of the submarines. In common with other Italian submarines the survivors were fitted with smaller conning towers in 1942-43.
Regia Marina
The Regia Marina dates from the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 after Italian unification...
in the 1930s. They were the third sub-class of the 600 Series
Italian 600 Series submarines
The Italian 600 Series submarines were a series of submarine classes built for the Italian Royal Navy during the Inter war years.-Development:...
of submarines built by Italy and designed by Bernadis.
The Iride and Onice were lent to the Nationalist side in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
as the Gonzales Lopez and Aquilar Tablada respectively. They retained their Italian crews with a Spanish liaison officer. They were returned to the Italian Navy at the end of the conflict.
In 1940-42 the Ambra and Iride were modified as carriers for "Maiale" manned torpedoes
Human torpedo
Human torpedoes or manned torpedoes are a type of rideable submarine used as secret naval weapons in World War II. The basic design is still in use today; they are a type of diver propulsion vehicle....
for use by the Decima Flottiglia MAS
Decima Flottiglia MAS
The Decima Flottiglia MAS was an Italian commando frogman unit of the Regia Marina created during the Fascist regime.The acronym MAS also refers to various light torpedo boats used by the Regia Marina during World...
. The "Maiale" were carried in watertight containers on the deck of the submarines. In common with other Italian submarines the survivors were fitted with smaller conning towers in 1942-43.
Ships
| Ship | Builder | Launched | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambra | OTO | 28 May 1936 | Scuttled at La Spezia, 9 September 1943 |
| CRDA | 14 June 1936 | Sunk by and near Egypt, 2 October 1940 | |
| Corallo | CRDA | 2 August 1936 | Sunk by HMS Enchantress Bittern class sloop The Bittern class sloop was a three ship class of long-range escort vessels used in the Second World War by the Royal Navy.-Design:They were built as light, long-range escort ships with limited anti-air capability. They were fitted with Denny-Brown fin stabilisers and a HACS fire control... , 13 December 1942 |
| Diaspro | CRDA | 5 July 1936 | Struck, 1 February 1948 |
| Gemma | CRDA | 21 May 1936 | Sunk in error by Italian submarine Tricheo, 6 October 1940 |
| Iride Italian submarine Iride The Italian submarine Iride was a 600-Serie Perla-class submarine, serving with the Regia Marina during World War II.She was originally armed with six 21 inch torpedo tubes, 12 torpedoes, one 100 mm deck gun and room for up to four 13.2 mm machine guns... |
OTO | 30 July 1936 | Sunk in Tobruk by Swordfish Fairey Swordfish The Fairey Swordfish was a torpedo bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company and used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War... aircraft from , 22 August 1940 |
| Malachite | OTO | 15 July 1936 | Sunk by Dutch submarine Dolfin, 9 February 1943 |
| Onice | OTO | 15 June 1936 | Struck, 23 March 1947 |
| Perla | CRDA | 3 May 1936 | Captured by the British, transferred to Greek service as the Matrozos (Υ-7). Broken up, 1954 |
| Turchese | CRDA | 19 July 1936 | Struck, 1948 |