Italian ships in Souda, September 1943

[LColombo]

The Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 found the Italian torpedo boats Castelfidardo and Solferino in Souda, Crete, where they were captured by the Germans. Besides them, another three Italian ships were in Souda, according to the USMM book "La Marina dall'8 settembre 1943 alla fine del conflitto": one motor torpedo boat and two merchant ships. The book does not state their names, however. The MTB was either MS 43, MS 44 or MS 46, all captured in Crete (two in Chania, one in Souda: but which ones?); no idea about the merchant ships. Does anyone know their names?

[de domenico]

According to Groener vol. 2, 1999, MS 42 and MS 43 were taken in Piraeus, MS 44 and 46 in Chamia (sic for La Canea, I suppose).

[LColombo]

This however adds to the confusion...

[Iceman]

Hello to all,
following the KTB Seeko Kreta, the ships captured were:

- Chania: MS 44, MS 46
- Suda: MS 43, SOLFERINO, CASTELFIDARDO, AS 52 MARCOMENI, AS 44 SAN FRANCESCO D'ASSISI II
- Iraklion: AS 21 SATTA, AS 42 FALCO

Furthermore, at 0800 of 09/09/43 in Suda arrived (from Scarpanto) the passenger ship DONIZETTI escorted by UJ 2105 and 2109.

I don't know other ships present in Creta at the Italian armistice

Marco Ghiglino

[LColombo]

Thank you.