The Siluro San Bartolomeo (St. Bartholomew Torpedo) was an Italian

Human Torpedo Human torpedoes or manned torpedoes are a type of diver propulsion vehicle on which the diver rides, generally in a seated position behind a fairing. They were used as secret naval weapons in World War II. The basic concept is still in use. ...

designed during World War II, used by the

Decima Flottiglia MAS The ''Decima Flottiglia MAS'' (''Decima Flottiglia Motoscafi Armati Siluranti'', also known as ''La Decima'' or Xª MAS) (Italian for "10th Assault Vehicle Flotilla") was an Italian flotilla, with commando frogman unit, of the ''Regia Marina'' ...

for commando style operations. When using the Siluro a Lenta Corsa Maiale

had noticed some limitations, demonstrating the need for an updated version. The project was managed and developed by the engineer of the Genio Naval, Mayor

Mario Masciulli Mario Elbano Masciulli Manelli, Baron Miglianico (Livorno, Italy September 15, 1909 – Caracas, Venezuela October 16, 1991) was a prominent military engineer of the Italian Regia Marina, Major of Genio Navale and belonging to the recognized Decim ...

, with the help of Captain G.N Travaglino and engineer

Guido Cattaneo Guido is a given name Latinised from the Old High German name Wido. It originated in Medieval Italy. Guido later became a male first name in Austria, Germany, the Low Countries, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Latin America and Switzerland. The mea ...

. The improvement in the materials available for the assembly and parallel new technologies led to a far superior product to the point of not being able to identify and as an outgrowth of the " Siluro a Lenta Corsa" SLC Maiale. Just three Siluro San Bartolomeo had been manufactured before the date of the

Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces The Armistice of Cassibile was an armistice signed on 3 September 1943 and made public on 8 September between the Kingdom of Italy and the Allies during World War II. It was signed by Major General Walter Bedell Smith for the Allies and Brigad ...

; two remained in

La Spezia La Spezia (, or , ; in the local Spezzino dialect) is the capital city of the province of La Spezia and is located at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the southern part of the Liguria region of Italy. La Spezia is the second largest city ...

and one which was sent to

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...

was found at the end of the war. Both of

were consigned to the La Castagna Task Force, an old battery of the

under the command of Lieutenant

Augusto Jacobacci Augusto is an Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish given name or surname. Notable people with the name include: * Augusto Aníbal *Augusto dos Anjos * Augusto Arbizo *Augusto Barbera (born 1938), Italian law professor, politician and judge *Augusto Be ...

(Siluro San Bartolomeo pilot). Those had been designated to attack

Gibraltar ) , anthem = " God Save the King" , song = " Gibraltar Anthem" , image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg , map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe , map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green , mapsize = , image_map2 = Gib ...

, but the action was suspended with the armistice.

External links

Siluro a lenta corsa SLC
{{Underwater diving, divequ World War II military equipment of Italy Torpedoes Frogman operations Caproni

Further reading

External links