Italian submarine Michele Bianchi explained

Michele Bianchi was a of the Italian Regia Marina that saw action in the Second World War. The submarine, (pennant number BH), was launched on 3 December 1939.

Her first war patrol was in the Mediterranean Sea from 15 August to 3 September 1940. Michele Bianchi sailed on 27 October 1940 and reached the Strait of Gibraltar on 3 November. Her attempted transit to the Atlantic was detected by Royal Navy forces, and Michele Bianchi took refuge in the neutral port of Tangier. Michele Bianchi left Tangier on 12 November and reached Bordeaux on 18 December 1940.

Michele Bianchi sank four ships on her first BETASOM patrol from Bordeaux; but the next patrol from 30 April to 30 May 1941 was unsuccessful. After sailing from Bordeaux on 4 July 1941, Michele Bianchi was torpedoed and sunk with all hands by on 5 July.[1]

+ Ships sunk by Michele Bianchi[2]
PatrolDateShipFlagTonnageNotes
4th14 February 1941Belcrest United Kingdom4,517Freighter from Convoy SC 21; no survivors
4th15 February 1941Alnmoor United Kingdom6,573Steam merchant from Convoy SC 21; no survivors
4th24 February 1941 United Kingdom10,946Freighter from Convoy OB 288; no casualties
4th27 February 1941Baltistan United Kingdom6,803Freighter; 18 survivors from a crew of 69
Total:22,266

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boats . D'Adamo . Cristiano . Regia Marina Italiana . 2012-08-11.
  2. Web site: Alnmoor . Uboat . 24 February 2012.