Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

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gttf
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2020 4:09 pm

Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

Post by gttf » Wed Jul 22, 2020 5:19 pm

Hello
some sources claim that the Italian submarine Delfino sank the Greek cruiser Helli (Tinos Island, 15/08/1940) and a small merchant ship. Some other sources deny the sinking of the latter.
Which is the truth and, in case, this small ship can be identified ?
Thanks in advance
Regards

Fabrizio
Platon Alexiades
Posts: 131
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2019 2:49 pm

Re: Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

Post by Platon Alexiades » Wed Jul 22, 2020 6:39 pm

Hello Fabrizio,

After firing a single torpedo at the light cruiser Helle, Delfino also fired a single torpedo at the passenger ships Elsi (1,433 GRT, 1891) and Esperos (1,461 GRT, 1918). but missed.

Best regards,

Platon
gttf
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2020 4:09 pm

Re: Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

Post by gttf » Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:03 pm

Hello Platon,
nice to hear you again.
Thanks for your quick answer
Regards

Fabrizio
de domenico
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2019 8:44 am

Re: Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

Post by de domenico » Sat Jul 25, 2020 9:33 am

The two passenger ships had brought thousands of Greek pilgrims to the sanctuary at Tinos island for the religious festivity of the Dormition of Theotokos (Saint Mary's, August 15) and HELLI was their escort. This is usually glossed over by the Italian sources, for obvious reasons.
Platon Alexiades
Posts: 131
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Re: Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

Post by Platon Alexiades » Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:49 pm

Dear Francesco,

Many thanks for the added details. There is a fragment of one of the torpedoes fired by Delfino at the Piraeus Naval Museum.

All the best,

Platon
gttf
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2020 4:09 pm

Re: Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

Post by gttf » Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:48 am

Thanks to both, Platon and Francesco
Regards

Fabrizio
geosub1978
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun Oct 13, 2019 9:47 am

Re: Action of Delfino vs Helli, 15th August 1940

Post by geosub1978 » Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:19 pm

Here is the damaged breakwater and the Hellee burning
hqdefault.jpg
hqdefault.jpg (11.62 KiB) Viewed 6769 times
e-kanali-ena-elli-1024x613.jpg
e-kanali-ena-elli-1024x613.jpg (64.64 KiB) Viewed 6769 times
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