"Dear Mother:
When you read these lines, I'll be dead. I volunteered for a dangerous mission that failed ...".
This was the beginning of the first of three letters written by Lieutenant Commander of the Italian Navy, Luigi Durand de la Penne, two weeks before Christmas Day 1941. The second announced the success of the mission, and the third was reported that taken prisoner of war. After the mission, some of those letters were forwarded to its destination.
De la Penne, along with five colleagues, was about to embark on one of the most risky in the annals of war: he would lead an uneven challenge to British sea power concentrated in Alexandria, confronting men 70 kilos to armored 32000 tonnes and was designed to capture a memorable victory and admiration of his adversaries. Winston Churchill would say of his achievement: "An outstanding example of courage and ingenuity and unparalleled."
The task given to De la Penne was in sinking the ships main British Mediterranean naval force in a critical moment. The British had just lost a battleship and an aircraft carrier at the hands of enemy submarines. The two battleships that were in the Mediterranean they had put away from the harbor of Alexandria. De la Penne and volunteers who accompanied him were introduced to the roads traveling astride-miniature submarines, called "pigs", and there attacking warships.
On the left, the Captain and Marquis Luigi Durand de la Penne. On the right, one personal mini-submarines ("Marranos") used in "Mission Alexandria."
Each "pig" was 6.5 meters long and 50 centimeters in diameter. Silent electric motor impulses that gave them a speed of two to three miles per hour and a radius of 10 miles, and had a removable cargo of 300 kilos of explosives. Once in the bay, the three teams of two men were setting the explosive charges to the hulls of ships and treat to escape.
The chances they had of returning alive were slim. De la Penne and his men had to make a will and prepare for the luggage with his things to send them to their families if they did not return. None of the members of the group was to be married, but De la Penne not liked the idea of \u200b\u200b"leave this world without a successor, so he secretly married Valeria Butti, beautiful daughter of a distinguished Genoese family. Then, he returned to his mission.
The chances they had of returning alive were slim. De la Penne and his men had to make a will and prepare for the luggage with his things to send them to their families if they did not return. None of the members of the group was to be married, but De la Penne not liked the idea of \u200b\u200b"leave this world without a successor, so he secretly married Valeria Butti, beautiful daughter of a distinguished Genoese family. Then, he returned to his mission.
On 18 December the three teams were already on board the submarine Scir ", resting on the seabed off the harbor of Alexandria. Recent reports of service secret confirmed that the door was the battleships "Valiant" and "Queen Elizabeth". De la Penne and Bianchi Emilio boatswain, who was partner with him, would take care of "Valiant" while Lieutenant Commander Antonio Marceglia with Spartaco Schergat, would take the "Queen Elizabeth".
Boatswain Emilio Bianchi and purpose, the "HMS Valiant." 
Left, Antonio Marceglia with Spartaco Schergat right. Down, and l "HMS Queen Elizabeth."
Lieutenant Commander Martellota Vincenzo and Mario Marino, naval attack an oil tanker of 16,000 tons and then scatter incendiary bombs floating in the hope that the oil tanker set fire to the whole bay. Once its task, the three couples would gain land swimming and steal a fishing boat to go to meet on 24 December with a submersible Italian.
Left, Vincenzo Martellota and Mario Marino, right, members of the intrepid Italian command Rada of Alexandria, ancestors of the marine commandos SEAL.
(As you can see, the truth is stranger than fantasy, only without "Bond girls" pure "bond boys", jejeje).
About 2100 hours, the three couples sailed slowly toward the lighthouse at Ras El Tin, 1.5 km away. Had to synchronize the delayed-action fuses, which should make the 0555 explosion of the early morning hours on the tanker, to 0605 against the "Valiant" and 0615 against Queen Elizabeth. " Attackers still have time to eat ... perhaps his last meal. In a waterproof container took cold chicken, bread and small bottles of champagne. (The style primarily for the purpose gentlemen).
Upon approaching the steel net that protected the mouth of the bay, De la Penne pondering on what to do. Then, the lighthouse and the port is lit up suddenly. Some ships arrived! And just opened the net to give way, in the shadows appeared three destroyers and three "pigs" lurch followed in its wake.
The best place to place explosives under the tower was number 1. To check the position, De la Penne rose to the surface, unwinding a coil of wire that would guide him back to the "pig" in his descent. When he returned to the darkness of the sea, the small boat motor would not start. Suspecting that the wire could have become entangled in the propeller, which was turned to signs of Bianchi to make it unravel. But Bianchi had disappeared. De la Penne had to work ... alone.
The explosive charge was still 30 meters from the correct position. Working with bare hands numb, De la Penne began to drag every inch of that load of 300 kilos on the muddy bottom. After nearly an hour of effort, was finally loaded into position, but De la Penne was too exhausted to secure the helmet. However, as the explosive in the bottom lay only 1.5 m of the vessel, was sure to fulfill its mission. It was 0300 in the morning. Missing another three hours for the explosion.
to faint, rose to the surface, but not without causing a slight splash. This was seen by the lookout deck of the "Valiant", which lit with a spotlight. Shots were fired and, looking around a buoy, swam De la Penne to her for protection. Bianchi was behind! The breathing equipment had failed and had almost lost consciousness, went afloat, he came to the surface and swam to the buoy.
soon became a boat that made the two Italian prisoners and brought them aboard the "Valiant." At 0330 am interrogated on the poop deck the first mate. Apart from stating their grades and their numbers, both prisoners refused to divulge any information. Were separated, and Penn was imprisoned in a cellar compartment "Valiant", almost directly on the explosives! Revived with a glass of rum and cigarettes that gave him a compassionate sea, de la Penne was counting the minutes: 5:30, 5:40 am ... Did he think in his family, his comrades, in the end? I knew that could exploit the loaded die. Difficult situation for any man ...
Suddenly he heard a low rumble in the distance. Martellota and his companion had flown the tanker! The explosion had ripped across the stern, and had also damaged a destroyer moored alongside, but the firebombs did not produce the intended result. It was already 5:54 ... , There were only 11 minutes.
At present, many things must be going through the minds of our character. What you have thought or done, comrades of the Web? I suppose we could have simulated to know something important, and ask that we move to the mainland. Or at least, order a coffee "before admitting," but in any case, far from where he knew "fly" the ship and its crew. Or not?
guess that's how legends are born:
Missing a few minutes for the explosion, De la Penne started banging insistently on the door of his cell, asking him brought immediately to the commander of the battleship, the captain Charles Morgan. had taken a decision that honor in the annals of the War of the Mediterranean ...
"Your ship will fly in 10 minutes," warned the British captain. Not want to kill people unnecessarily, so I recommend bringing together all the crew on deck right away.
- Where you placed the explosive? Morgan asked. If he refuses to tell me, I'll have to send back to the cellar. But de la Penne
He declined to reveal. If Morgan had come to know that the charge was dropped into the sea, would remove the "Valiant" instantly there and move away from danger.
So, while I carried back to his cell and the speaker system of the battleship ordered that all crew members quickly go up on deck, De la Penne kept his eyes fixed on his watch. It was very likely that the minutes were passing were also the last of his life. Would it provided the delayed fuse? The worst thing is that in the darkness it was impossible to fit the exact second.
The blast occurred at 6:06 am. The "Valiant" was shocked and filled with smoke. De la Penne was thrown through the cell and momentarily lost consciousness. When he recovered, he saw that the explosion had ripped the door. Went on deck without attracting attention and stared at the "Queen Elizabeth", which is close. At 6:15 there was a thunderous explosion. Had placed the burden Marceglia just below the engine room of Queen Elizabeth, whose chimney came a supplier of oil fell on the bridge and the "Valiant." As the sea was shallow there, the three ships hit bottom, but stayed rights.
At that moment, ladies and gentlemen, the Italian Navy was the owner ABSOLUTE Mediterranean and the protection of your cruise, I had no problem to supply the German and Italian troops in North Africa. Victory seemed inclined at last for Italy and her ally, Germany, thanks to the heroism of these men!
However, cruise ships never ventured out ... by the incredible, unprecedented and stupid reason. The aerial photographs taken the next day were interpreted correctly by the Italian secret service specialists, the "Valiant" heeled to port, the "Queen Elizabeth" was sunk forward, clearly saw that were seriously damaged.
But Mussolini knew more than anyone else! He stated that the vessels had not suffered any damage. Although he tried to convince him that this would entail, their decisions were indisputable. Thus, the Italian fleet remained in port and blew one of the biggest advantages that would never have had. He could never recover from this fiasco. "The war had taken a different course? That would never know.
The British did everything they could to give a veneer of truth to the incredible folly of Mussolini. While on the surface of the sea was a frantic repair work waterways open 12 meters on the hulls of both vessels, reigned over her calm. The two vessels managed to keep the fire in the boilers, while indoor concerts and receptions were held. Would still take more than one year before either was ready to return to action.
commands
Six Italians were taken prisoner. De la Penne was sent to Cairo and thence to Palestine, from where he escaped to Syria. Captured again, he got on board a ship bound for India. Indomitable flee again in India, and once again he was captured.
Some men are born to Action: Italy shortly after making peace with the Allies in 1943, De la Penne was repatriated and immediately realized he had to thwart the plans of the retreating Germans to obstruct port of La Spezia. In the company of other volunteers, and repeating the feat of Alexandria, was introduced quietly in the harbor and scuttled before they could take them to the mouth of the port, the ships that the Germans thought clog.
At last, after the World War II, one day in 1945 he held a special ceremony. Prince heir Umberto of Italy was preparing to grant the "Medaglia d'Oro, the highest honor of his country, De la Penne and his companions. Among the guests at the ceremony was, as irony of fate, the then Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Morgan, head of the British naval forces in the Mediterranean: yes, one former commander of "Valiant." With the notice given by De la Penne had not lost a single life among the crew of 1,700 men of "Valiant."
In the most emotional moment of the ceremony, Prince Umberto, after a brief pause, he smiled and turned to Sir cavalierly Charles Morgan and inviting him to substitute in its place, he said,
"Admiral, I think it is up to you decorate this gentleman.
From left to right: Luigi Durand de la Penne, the medal "Medaglia d'Oro and the destroyer (destroyer) Series Durand De la Penne. "
The "Ammiraglio di Squadra" (Vice-Admiral ) Luigi Durand de la Penne (1914-1992) took leave of this world in Genoa, Italy, where he was born, one day closer to that of today, January 17, 1992. In his honor, and the entire Italian Navy, which gave men of this nature, was called to modern naval destroyer class as the "Series Durand De La Penne", whose representatives today are the flagship "Luigi Durand de la Penne (D560) and" Francesco Mimbelli "(D561).
And now, what I can tell? Just maybe, perhaps, in the worst moments of our (s) History (s), there are people who make the best of our species ... despite our pessimism, we are proud.
Do we read next? It will be an honor for me.
Mediterranean with a warm greeting, goodbye to you,
The Sea Unicorn ...
And now, what I can tell? Just maybe, perhaps, in the worst moments of our (s) History (s), there are people who make the best of our species ... despite our pessimism, we are proud.
Do we read next? It will be an honor for me.
Mediterranean with a warm greeting, goodbye to you,
The Sea Unicorn ...
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