SUPERMARINA 22 November 1941
To Admiral Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy in Italy, His Admiral WEICHOLD
Re: Traffic with North Africa
SECRET RESERVED TO THE ADDRESSEE
Responding to your letter n. 366/41 of today
I would like to ask you to assure the Grand Admiral that Supermarina sees the current situation in exactly the same manner as he expressed it in his letter. Already going beyond the most serious requirements and confronting risks of war and seafare that in other times it would not be justified to take, a light cruiser and three destroyers will soon be be made available for the transport to Benghazi of the German battalion which Your command is preparing. You also know, as you are constantly kept aware of all decisions of Supermarina, that the transport of gasoline will be expedited with all means at our disposal, including a light cruiser, as you know. Also and especially now in this difficult moment the perfect coincidence of the views of our two navies is manifest.
THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF RICCARDI
II. Regia Navale Emergency Supply Plan for North Africa of 4 December 1941
1. Submarines
One per day to Bardia or Derna
a. Fuel transport
Cagni (All with 140 tons fuel and 3 tons variable supplies.)
Saint Bon
Millo
Carraciolo
Micca (105 tons of fuel oil in submarine tanks , 70 tons various fuels in jerry cans, total 175 tons.)
b. Ration transport
Menotti 14 tons in pallets
Settimo 11 tons in pallets; (or for either submarine 20 tons of heavier rations)
2. Destroyers/destroyer escorts
One or two per day. Each destroyer could carry 95 tons of fuels, in 4,000 jerry cans and 140 barrels. Each escort destroyer could carry 65 tons of fuels in jerry cans and
barrels. Depot ship Bellona supplied from German Wachtfels at Patrasso and then ran to Suda escorted by Turbine, while Wachtfels remained at Patrasso.
a. For Benghazi running a shuttle service from Benghazi to Suda Bay.
i. First pair: Two destroyers Vivaldi (?), from Leros, then Suda Bay and Benghazi
ii. Second pair: Destroyer Pessagno from Leros, then Suda Bay and Benghazi
Destroyer Pigafetta from Taranto to Benghazi and then to Suda Bay
iii. Third pair: Two destroyers Da Recco and Usodimare from Naples to Benghazi, then to Suda Bay.
b. For Derna, running a shuttle service from Derna to Suda Bay.
i. Destroyer escort Orsa leaves Taranto for Derna and then Suda Bay.
ii. Destroyer escort Procione runs from Argostoli to Benghazi and then Suda Bay, thereafter shuttle between Derna and Suda Bay.
iii. Destroyer escort Orione runs from Brindisi to Derna and then Suda Bay.
3. Special vessels One or two per week for Benghazi depending on availability of the port.
a. MS Calitea from Brindisi to Benghazi, to leave only when the port at Benghazi was free. Estimated transport ability 1,000 tons of various materials.
b. German steamer Ankara from Taranto for Benghazi to leave when battleship
Duilio and the VIIth Division could escort it . Estimated transport ability 5,500 tons of various materials.
4. Cruisers (special traffic)
a. Cadorna – at Taranto to leave for Benghazi at date to be settled, coordinated with loading of MS Veniero and depending on weather conditions.
Freight:
• 325 tons of gasoline in jerry cans
• 100 tons of fuel oil in the cruiser’s bunkers
• 20 tons of rations
• 10 tons of small arms ammunition
• 100 men
b. Da Barbiano Da Giussano – from Taranto to Palermo and on to Tripoli. Both cruisers depart at a date to be settled depending on the lunar phase.
Freight (each cruiser):
• About 300 tons of rations
• About 20 tons of ammunition for 88mm AA guns
• About 500 tons of fuel oil in the bunkers
• 120 men
From here: http://crusaderproject.wordpress.com/20 ... y-reports/
So
Submarines: Cagni(big Oceanic) and Micca (Minelayer) can transport about 70 t of cargo more in Bunkerage, Normal italian submarine about 10-20t
Destroyer Escort(Torpedo Boat of Orsa Class 850t standart, 82m lenght): 65t
Destroyer(Navigatori Class 1900t standart 107m lenght) : 95t
Light Cruiser(5100-5400t standard 169m lenght): 320-450t and 120-100 men.