Torpedo boat Spica class

Italian torpedo boats Spica class of the Second World War.
History, development, service, specifications and pictures.

Italian Torpedo Boats of the Second World War

During World War II, the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) operated several classes of torpedo boats that played significant roles in the Mediterranean theater.

Overview

Major Classes:

Spica Class (1934-1937)
– 30 vessels built
– Displacement: approximately 680-800 tons
– Length: around 81-84 meters
– Armament: Three 100mm guns, up to eight 20mm AA guns, and four 450mm torpedo tubes
– Speed: 34 knots
– Notable for their high speed and versatility in the Mediterranean

Ciclone Class (1942-1943)
– 16 vessels completed (out of 20 planned)
– Displacement: around 730 tons
– More robust AA defenses compared to earlier classes
– Designed specifically for escort duties in the dangerous Mediterranean convoy routes

Orsa Class (1936-1938)
– 4 vessels
– Displacement: approximately 630 tons
– Improved versions of the earlier Spica design

Operational History

Italian torpedo boats performed multiple roles during the war:
– Escort duty for convoys between Italy and North Africa
– Anti-submarine warfare
– Minelaying operations
– Coastal defense
– Fast attack missions

Many of these vessels saw intense combat in the Mediterranean, particularly during the battles to supply Axis forces in North Africa. They faced superior Allied naval and air forces, especially after 1942.

Legacy

The Italian torpedo boats, while not as well-known as larger warships, were crucial workhorses for the Regia Marina. They fought with distinction despite being outmatched in many engagements by British and American forces with superior technology and air support.

After Italy’s armistice with the Allies in September 1943, surviving torpedo boats served under either the Italian Co-Belligerent Navy (supporting the Allies) or were seized by German forces.

Spica class

Spica class (32 ships)
Type: Italian torpedo boat.

History:

Like its German equivalent, the Italian navy preferred the building of tiny destroyer-type escorts, generally named torpedo boats. Although an extended group of similar classes had been completed through the mid-1920s, the class had lapsed for a 10 years prior to being started again with the 32-strong Spica class, laid down between 1934 and 1937. The design was dependent upon that of the Maestrale class destroyers then finishing but, though superficially equivalent in general profile, their solitary funnel didn’t have the huge trunking of that of the bigger ships, becoming it did only 1 boiler room. The primary armament was composed of 100-mm (3.94-in) guns of a fresh design with a commendable 16-km (10-mile) range. As these came only in individual mountings, 3 had been placed in the normal design of 1 ahead and 2 superimposed aft. Even though earlier torpedo boats had been equipped with 533-mm (21-in) torpedo tubes, the Spicas reverted to the prior 450-mm (17.72-in) tubes of significantly lesser striking capability and range. For several unusual purposes these were at first single, on the sides mountings only, later on swapped for the more reasonable double centreline type. As with many Italian ships, they could place mines but were additionally fitted for high-speed mine sweeping, with noticeable paravanes and associated gear right aft.

With the wartime construction program, a series of Forty two superior Spicas have also been designed. Of these, known as the Ariete class, just Sixteen were laid down, most of them being completed by the Germans following the Italian capitulation.

Of the 32 Spicas, 23 became war casualties and a two were offered, perhaps surprisingly, to the Swedish navy. The Airone and Ariel were sunk together in October 1940 when, with others, they unwisely assaulted an english cruiser force covering an early Malta convoy. Of the latter, HMS Ajax was a key player in their sinking, damaging also the destroyers Artigliere and Aviere, of which one was finally lost during tow. 12 months later another two, the Aldebaran and Altair, were destroyed in a minefield laid by the British submarine HMS Rorqual in the Gulf of Athens.

Users: Italy, Sweden, Germany.

Pictures Torpedo boats of Spica class

Specifications for Spica class

Specifications:

Armament:

Service statistics:

Model of Italian torpedo boat Spica class

References and literature

The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II (Chris Bishop)
Kriegsschiffe von 1900 bis heute – Technik und Einsatz (Buch und Zeit Verlagsgesellschaft)
Flotten des 2. Weltkrieges (Antony Preston)