italian NORGE and PEUCETA

[Kurt Hoffmann]

Hi all,
on 21.12.1940 italian convoy, consisting of 3 freighters and Torpedoboat VEGA, was attacked by british aircarafts from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. It was on a supplytrip from Palermo to Tripolis. Do you know the name of the convoy ?

thanks

Kurt

[Platon Alexiades]

Hi Kurt,

The Italian Navy did not formally name the convoys with a few exceptions. They were usually referred by the name of the leading escort (example: Tarigo convoy) or one of the freighters and (rarely) by a code name (example: "Beta" convoy for the Duisburg convoy of November 1941 or "Aprilia" convoy in April 1942).

Best regards,

Platon

[Kurt Hoffmann]

Thanks Platon.
is usually the greatest ship the convoys name ?

Kurt

[Platon Alexiades]

Hi Kurt,

There were no specific rules. Usually the largest ship was mentioned or the leading escort vessel and this was very elastic. In the case of the convoy you mentioned, the Supermarina Diary initially refers to it cites the name of Vega (the escort vessel) to list the attack, then refers to it as the Luigi Rizzo convoy (after the two other ships were sunk).

Best regards,

Platon

[Kurt Hoffmann]

thanks Platon for this info.

Kurt