Nichelio (NC)
Nichelio

Type	Coastal / Sea going
Class	Platino 1 (24)
Laid down	1 Jul 1941	Odero-Terni-Orlando, Muggiano
Launched	12 Apr 1942
Commissioned	30 Jul 1942
End service
Stricken	1 Feb 1948
Loss date
Loss position
History	Transferred to the U.S.S.R. on 7th February 1949. Scrapped by the U.S.S.R. in 1960.
Fate

Commands

Commander	Date from	Date to	Command notes
C.F. Giulio Chialamberto	1 Aug 1942	5 Aug 1942
T.V. Carlo Girola	6 Aug 1942	22 Jun 1943
T.V. Claudio Celli	23 Jun 1943	22 Dec 1943
T.V. Ugo Esmenard	22 Dec 1943	1 Jan 1944
T.V. Gaspare Cavallina	1 Jan 1944	31 Jan 1944
T.V. Ugo Esmenard	31 Jan 1944	Aug 1945

Ships hit

	Date	Commander	Ship hit	Type	GRT	Nat.	Loss type
1.	14 Jul 1943	T.V. Claudio Celli	HMS MGB-641	Gunboat	90		Sunk?

Patrols and events

	Commander	Date	Time	Port	Arr. date	Arr. time	Arr. port	Miles	Description
		15 Jul 1942	0736	La Spezia	15 Jul 1942	1720	La Spezia		Exercises with the submarine H 1 escorted by MAS 509.
	Chialamberto, Giulio	1 Aug 1942		La Spezia	5 Aug 1942		La Spezia		At La Spezia. Change in command.
	Girola, Carlo	7 Aug 1942	0837	La Spezia	7 Aug 1942	1359	La Spezia	50,5	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	8 Aug 1942	0913	La Spezia	8 Aug 1942	1651	La Spezia	84	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	10 Aug 1942	0844	La Spezia	10 Aug 1942	1806	La Spezia	50	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	13 Aug 1942	0923	La Spezia	13 Aug 1942	1638	La Spezia	52	Trials escorted by MAS 509.
	Girola, Carlo	17 Aug 1942	1137	La Spezia	17 Aug 1942	1853	La Spezia	38	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	20 Aug 1942	0815	La Spezia	20 Aug 1942	1740	La Spezia	45	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	21 Aug 1942	0814	La Spezia	21 Aug 1942	1652	La Spezia	34	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	26 Aug 1942	0825	La Spezia	26 Aug 1942	1810	La Spezia	45	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	28 Aug 1942	0820	La Spezia	28 Aug 1942	1715	La Spezia	45	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	29 Aug 1942	0840	La Spezia	29 Aug 1942	1828	La Spezia	6	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	29 Aug 1942	2015	La Spezia	30 Aug 1942	0042	La Spezia	49	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	31 Aug 1942	0837	La Spezia	31 Aug 1942	1502	La Spezia	35	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	2 Sep 1942	0750	La Spezia	2 Sep 1942	1127	La Spezia	91,5	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	3 Sep 1942	0844	La Spezia	3 Sep 1942	1630	La Spezia	63,2	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	4 Sep 1942	0834	La Spezia	4 Sep 1942	1300	La Spezia	23	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	7 Sep 1942	1214	La Spezia	7 Sep 1942	1916	La Spezia	43,5	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	8 Sep 1942	0918	La Spezia	8 Sep 1942	1510	La Spezia	35	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	9 Sep 1942	1910	La Spezia	10 Sep 1942	0105	La Spezia	40,5	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	11 Sep 1942	0845	La Spezia	11 Sep 1942	1607	La Spezia	30,5	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	15 Sep 1942	0006	La Spezia	17 Sep 1942	0820	Cagliari	352	Passage La Spezia-Cagliari.
	Girola, Carlo	21 Sep 1942	0756	Cagliari	21 Sep 1942	1240	Cagliari	28	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	24 Sep 1942	0750	Cagliari	24 Sep 1942	1443	Cagliari	47,5	Exercises.
1	Girola, Carlo	25 Sep 1942	1800	Cagliari	14 Oct 1942	0937	Cagliari	1261,3	Patrolled between 37°00'N and 37°30'N, 02°00'E and 02°20'E, 50 miles north of Cape Blanc.
		26 Sep 1942	0818		At 0818 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		26 Sep 1942	1120		At 1120 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		9 Oct 1942	2135	37° 31'N, 2° 17'E	An Italian submarineof the ASTERIA class was sighted. Nichelio turned away. This was actually Argento.
		11 Oct 1942	2148	37° 50'N, 2° 14'E	At 2148 hours, a small vessel, believed to be a torpedo-boat or corvette, was sighted at a distance of 4,000 metres, proceeding at 18 knots. Nichelio was getting ready to fire her stern torpedoes when, at 2149 hours, a second vessel appeared and was going straight for the submarine as she crash-dived. At 2151 hours, five depth-charges were heard but they were not close.
	Girola, Carlo	23 Oct 1942	0807	Cagliari	23 Oct 1942	1134	Cagliari	22	Exercises.
2	Girola, Carlo	29 Oct 1942	0159	Cagliari	31 Oct 1942	0810	Cagliari	322,5	Patrolled in 37°40'N, 08°50'E on a patrol line with Argo, Porfido and Asteria but recalled at 2030 hours on the 30th.
		29 Oct 1942	1022		At 1022 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
3	Girola, Carlo	7 Nov 1942	0330	Cagliari	17 Nov 1942	0810	Cagliari	1736,1	Patrolled off Bougie, between 37°40'N and 38°00'N, and between 06°40'E and 07°00'E, but shortly after moved to 37°45'N to 04°00'E. T.V. Girola was reprimanded for lack of determination during this patrol.
		8 Nov 1942	0851		At 0851 hours, an aircraft was seen and the submarine dived.
		8 Nov 1942	1008		At 1008 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		10 Nov 1942	2155		At 2155 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		11 Nov 1942	0807		At 0807 hours, a submarine of the ASTERIA class was observed through the periscope.
		12 Nov 1942	0130	37° 45'N, 6° 58'E	At 0130 hours, three vessels heard with the hydrophones. The submarine did not sight anything, but later heard depth-charges.
		15 Nov 1942	2120	38° 05'N, 7° 05'E	At 2120 hours, two vessels believed to be A/S vessels were heard. The submarine remained submerged, on listening watch.
4	Girola, Carlo	23 Nov 1942	0016	Cagliari	4 Dec 1942	1408	Cagliari	1105,7	Patrolled off Bougie between 37°20'N and the Algerian coast, and between 03°00'E and 03°20'E until 31st December, then to area between 37°20'N and the Algerian coast, and between 06°20'E and 06°40'E.
		23 Nov 1942	1305		At 1305 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		23 Nov 1942	1347		At 1347 hours, two aircraft were seen at a distance of 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		23 Nov 1942	1631		At 1631 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		24 Nov 1942	1112	37° 09'N, 6° 20'E	At 1112 hours, an MTB steering 245° at 12 knots, was sighted at a distance of 2,000 metres. It was followed two minutes later, by a motor ship of about 600-800 tons, sighted at 1,500 metres.
		26 Nov 1942	0915	36° 57'N, 5° 25'E	At 0915 hours, British corvette was sighted. It was first detected with hydrophones at 0646 hours. T.V. Girola decided not to attack a small vessel.
		30 Nov 1942	1205	37° 15'N, 3° 06'E	At 1205 hours, a 200-ton steamer, probably a fishing vessel, was sighted. Again, T.V. Girola decided not to attack a small vessel.
		3 Dec 1942	1958	37° 18'N, 6° 27'E	At 1958 hours, a large MTB was sighted at 400-500 metres.
	Girola, Carlo	5 Dec 1942	0756	Cagliari	6 Dec 1942	0810	Naples	276	Passage Cagliari-Naples.
	Girola, Carlo	27 Dec 1942	0855	Naples	27 Dec 1942	1337	Naples	25,8	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	4 Jan 1943	1133	Naples	4 Jan 1943	1625	Castellammare di Stabia	40	Passage Naples-Castellammare di Stabia and exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	5 Jan 1943	0810	Castellammare di Stabia	5 Jan 1943	0945	Naples	17	Passage Castellammare di Stabia-Naples.
	Girola, Carlo	5 Jan 1943	1514	Naples	6 Jan 1943	1438	Cagliari	270	Passage Naples-Cagliari.
5	Girola, Carlo	11 Jan 1943	1805	Cagliari	19 Jan 1943	2110	Cagliari	730	Patrolled in western Mediterranean between 37°20'N and Algerian coast, and between 06°00'E and 06°20'E, on a patrol line with Wolframio.
		17 Jan 1943	1902 1923 (e)	37° 20'N, 6° 20'E	At 1902 hours, the lookout aft spotted an aircraft coming from the south. Although it could have been a Junker 88, T.V. Girola ordered the submarine to crash-dive. At 1910 hours, Nichelio surfaced and proceeded northward. At 1918 hours, an aircraft was sighted on the port bow at a distance, making directly for the submarine. There was no time to crash-dive and Girola ordered the machine guns manned and they opened fire at a range of 1,000 metres. The aircraft was identified as of the Armstrong Whitworth [Whitley] type. At 1919 hours, it flew over at a height of 30-40 metres and dropped five bombs. One fell 20 metres off the starboard bow, bomb fragments hit the submarine, causing a leak forward which prevented diving. The aircraft was observed to fire back at the submarine with its stern gun. At 1922 hours, the aircraft flew over the submarine at a height of 2,000 metres without dropping a bomb. At 1955 hours, the aircraft attempted a surprise attack, dropping a single bomb which fell 50 metres from the port beam. At 2005 hours, it flew at a height of 50 metres and, reaching 100 metres on the port side,it strafed the submarine. Fire was returned with the twin Breda machine-guns aft. The submarine could not used the deck gun due to the poor condition of the ammunition. At 2020 hours, the leak forward had been plugged and the submarine dived and gradually reached 100 metres to test her water tightness. At 0223 hours on the 18th, she received the order to return to base. The aircraft was Hudson 'J' of 500 Squadron piloted by Flight Lieutenant H.G. Holmes. It had detected the submarine by radar, at a range of 5 miles, attacking by taking advantage of the moonlight. It had actually dropped three depth charges, which overshot the target on the first run. One 250-lb G.P. bomb was released from 1,600 feet on the second run and missed the starboard bow by 20 feet. The bomber had also strafed Nichelio, who replied inaccurately on the first run, using both cannon and machine-guns, but her aim became more accurate afterward, although the aircraft was not hit. The submarine was actually hit by three depth-charges, one of which was found imbedded in the bow after her return to Cagliari; the other two did not explode. The A/S bomb also caused some damage requiring the submarine to return to Naples for repairs, which would take nearly a month.
		18 Jan 1943	1355 1349 (e)	38° 02'N, 6° 29'E	At 1355 hours, an aircraft was sighted at a high altitude. It dived on the submarine, releasing a single bomb, which missed by 300 metres ahead. It was identified as of the Armstrong Whitworth [Whitley] type. Nichelio submerged at 1356 hours and, two minutes later, at a depth of 80 meters, she was shaken by three depth charges without incurring damage. The aircraft was Hudson 'K' of 608 Squadron piloted by Lieutenant E.U. Johansen. It followed up the earlier attack by the 500 Squadron Hudson and sighted a surfacing U-boat of the GEMMA class at 1345 hours. The attack was made with an A/S bomb which exploded 100-150 yards ahead of the sub. The submarine immediately dived The Hudson followed up by releasing a stick of depth charges, without observing results. It released a smoke float and stayed on the scene observing until a later attack by Wellington 'S' of 150 Squadron.
		18 Jan 1943	2355	38° 20'N, 6° 38'E	At 2355 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 3,000 metres. Nichelio was ready to open fire, when the aircraft turned away at a distance of 2,000 meters and the submarine dived immediately.
		19 Jan 1943	0814	38° 48'N, 7° 21'E	At 0814 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		19 Jan 1943	1100	38° 48'N, 7° 30'E	At 1100 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 6,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		19 Jan 1943	1330	(0) Probably ca. 50 miles SW of Cagliari.	At 1330 hours, an Italian aircraft was seen at 6,000 metres and exchanged recognition signals.
	Girola, Carlo	21 Jan 1943	1600	Cagliari	22 Jan 1943	1700	Naples	288	Passage Cagliari-Naples.
	Girola, Carlo	19 Feb 1943	0810	Naples	19 Feb 1943	1718	Naples	86,5	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	20 Feb 1943	1047	Naples	21 Feb 1943	0905	La Maddalena	253,5	Passage Naples-La Maddalena.
	Girola, Carlo	25 Feb 1943	0725	La Maddalena	25 Feb 1943	1305	La Maddalena	38	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	25 Feb 1943	1436	La Maddalena	25 Feb 1943	1617	La Maddalena	4	Tests for fuel leak.
	Girola, Carlo	27 Feb 1943	0731	La Maddalena	27 Feb 1943	1233	La Maddalena	35	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	7 Mar 1943	0911	La Maddalena	7 Mar 1943	1217	La Maddalena	20	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	10 Mar 1943	0905	La Maddalena	10 Mar 1943	1220	La Maddalena	19	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	12 Mar 1943	0807	La Maddalena	12 Mar 1943	1242	La Maddalena	18	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	15 Mar 1943	0804	La Maddalena	15 Mar 1943	1224	La Maddalena	22,5	Exercises.
6	Girola, Carlo	18 Mar 1943	0125	La Maddalena	4 Apr 1943	1210	La Maddalena	1045,3	Patrolled in western Mediterranean on a line with Gorgo, between 38°20'N and the Algerian coast, and between 05°40'E and 06°40'E [or between 37°40'N and 38°10'N, and between 05°50'E and 06°20'E?].
		20 Mar 1943	0145	37° 58'N, 6° 04'E	At 0145 hours, a submarine was sighted steering 230° course, 2 knots. Nichelio turned away.
		21 Mar 1943	1100	37° 53'N, 5° 43'E (0) Approximately.	At 1100 hours, three Swedish relief ships including Formosa (7,033 GRT, 1921) and Carmen (?) were sighted at a distance of 3,000 metres. They had been first detected with hydrophones at 1035 hours.
		21 Mar 1943	2300	37° 52'N, 6° 06'E	At 2300 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 3-4,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		22 Mar 1943	2228	38° 17'N, 5° 47'E	At 2228 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 3-4,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		23 Mar 1943	0312	38° 03'N, 5° 51'E	At 0312 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 3-4,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		25 Mar 1943	1110	37° 25'N, 6° 22'E	At 1110 hours, two steamers towing balloons, were sighted at 15-20,000 metres. They passed out of range.
		25 Mar 1943	1220	37° 25'N, 6° 22'E	At 1220 hours, a large steamer was sighted at 15-20,000 metres. It passed out of range.
		29 Mar 1943	0910	37° 25'N, 6° 10'E (0) Approximately.	From 0910 to 0932 hours, the submarine heard sixteen depth charges very close.
		30 Mar 1943	0245	38° 01'N, 5° 54'E	At 0245 hours, two Swedish relief ships were sighted steering 270°.
	Girola, Carlo	5 Apr 1943	1007	La Maddalena	6 Apr 1943	1020	Naples	230	Passage La Maddalena-Naples.
	Girola, Carlo	7 Apr 1943	0850	Naples	7 Apr 1943	1150	Naples	13	Trials.
	Girola, Carlo	20 Apr 1943	0905	Naples	20 Apr 1943	1625	Pozzuoli	43	Trials and passage Naples-Pozzuoli.
	Girola, Carlo	2 May 1943	0807	Pozzuoli	2 May 1943	1040	Pozzuoli	11	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	5 May 1943	0226	Pozzuoli	6 May 1943	0630	La Maddalena	188,4	Passage Pozzuoli-La Maddalena.
	Girola, Carlo	10 May 1943	1030	La Maddalena	10 May 1943	1200	Porto Palma	6	Passage La Maddalena-Porto Palma.
7	Girola, Carlo	15 May 1943	1830	La Maddalena	2 Jun 1943	0800	La Maddalena	716	Patrolled in western Mediterranean between 38°40'N and 39°20'N, and between 06°20'E and 07°00'E (replaced Argento who was unable to sail due to engine defects). On 29th May, Nichelio and Gorgo were ordered to leave their patrol at 1400 hours on the 30th and return via Point B (Cape Scorno, Island of Asinara).
		16 May 1943	2255	39° 53'N, 6° 40'E	At 2255 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 4-5,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		20 May 1943	0200	38° 59'N, 6° 26'E	At 0200 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 4-5,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		30 May 1943	1842	38° 39'N, 7° 08'E	At 1842 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 10,000 metres and the submarine dived.
	Girola, Carlo	2 Jun 1943	1346	La Maddalena	2 Jun 1943	1416	Porto Palma	11	Passage La Maddalena-Porto Palma.
	Girola, Carlo	3 Jun 1943	0825	Porto Palma	3 Jun 1943	0925	La Maddalena	11	Passage Porto Palma-La Maddalena.
	Girola, Carlo	4 Jun 1943	2230	La Maddalena	6 Jun 1943	0810	Naples	230	Passage La Maddalena-Naples.
	Girola, Carlo	16 Jun 1943	1110	Naples	16 Jun 1943	1200	Pozzuoli	11	Passage Naples-Pozzuoli.
	Girola, Carlo	17 Jun 1943	0800	Pozzuoli	17 Jun 1943	1200	Pozzuoli	10	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	18 Jun 1943	0800	Pozzuoli	18 Jun 1943	1200	Pozzuoli	11,8	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	19 Jun 1943	1100	Pozzuoli	19 Jun 1943	1200	Pozzuoli	5,1	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	21 Jun 1943	0800	Pozzuoli	21 Jun 1943	1200	Pozzuoli	12	Exercises.
	Girola, Carlo	23 Jun 1943	0425	Pozzuoli	23 Jun 1943	1325	Pozzuoli	30	Exercises.
	Celli, Claudio	25 Jun 1943	0443	Pozzuoli	25 Jun 1943	2115	Pozzuoli	70	Exercises.
	Celli, Claudio	26 Jun 1943	1330	Pozzuoli	26 Jun 1943	1520	Naples	14	Passage Pozzuoli-Naples.
	Celli, Claudio	28 Jun 1943	0930	Naples	28 Jun 1943	1300	Pozzuoli	22	Passage Naples-Pozzuoli and exercises.
	Celli, Claudio	1 Jul 1943	0217	Pozzuoli	2 Jul 1943	1015	Portoferraio	232	Passage Pozzuoli-Portoferraio.
8	Celli, Claudio	7 Jul 1943	0100	Portoferraio	23 Jul 1943	0800	Naples	1513	Sailed via Point C of La Maddalena, Point B of Cape Scorno (41°07'N, 08°20'E) then south of Sardinia for operation ZETA between 37°00'N and 37°40'N and 08°00'E and 08°40'E. Off Trapani on 11st July. From 12th July, in area between 38°20'N and 38°30'N, and between 12°40'E and 13°00'E and finally from 16th to 22nd July in area between 36°30'N and 37°00'N, and between 15°10'E and 15°50'E.
		10 Jul 1943	1230	(0) Off Southern Sardinia?	At 1230 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 12,000 metres and the submarine dived to 50 metres. Three bombs were heard.
		11 Jul 1943	0625	(0) North of Sicily.	At 0625 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 12,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		11 Jul 1943	1327	(0) West of Trapani?	At 1327 hours, a four-engine aircraft was seen at a distance of 13,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		11 Jul 1943	1740	(0) West of Trapani?	At 1740 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		12 Jul 1943	0414	(0) East of Trapani?	At 0414 hours, a large enemy bomber was seen at a distance of 8,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		14 Jul 1943	2220-0415/15 2239 (e)	37° 55'N, 15° 36'E	At 2220 hours, Nichelio had just surfaced when she sighted three small vessels previously detected with the hydrophones. Initially, it was believed that they were German or Italian F-lighters, as several had been seen in the Strait of Messina. The submarine made a recognition signals as soon as the machine gun crews had joined their action stations. The three vessels opened fire and the submarine immediately replied first with the aft twin Breda and followed shortly by the forward machine gun. Nichelio had a few superficial holes to the conning tower but no casualties. It claimed to have hit one of the enemy vessel before submerging. These were MGB-643 (Lt G.M. Hobday RNVR with Lt MacIlraith, RNVR, s.o.), MGB-646 (Lt. J.A. 'Tufty' Forbes, RNVR), and MGB-641 (Lt P. Hughes, SANF [V]) of the 19th MGB Flotilla and they attacked the submarine with six pounders and oerlikons. Some sources have mentioned that MGB-641 was sunk by the submarine. It is doubtful that Nichelio's machine guns could have inflicted lethal damage to an MGB. It appears that MGB-641 was crippled shortly after by Italian coastal batteries, the crew was picked up by the other MGBs.
		16 Jul 1943	0131	(0) Off Syracuse.	At 0131 hours, a corvette was sighted and the submarine was forced to dive.
		16 Jul 1943	0410	36° 53'N, 15° 32'E	At 0345 hours, three small merchant vessels escorted by two destroyers, were sighted at a distance of 2,500 metres. The submarine prepared for a surface attack. At 0410 hours, two torpedoes (533mm, G7e type) were fired at a range of 1,200 metres at the vessels observed to be on course 326° at 16 knots. Both torpedoes were seen to porpoise and deviate sharply to the right. They missed.
		16 Jul 1943	0515	(0) Off Syracuse.	At 0515 hours, a vessel was sighted and an attack started when, at 0545 hours, the Red Cross markings were visible and the submarine moved away.
		16 Jul 1943	0702	(0) Off Syracuse.	At 0702 hours, four corvettes were observed at a distance of 5,000 metres. The submarine remained at periscope depth.
		16 Jul 1943	0735	(0) Off Syracuse.	At 0735 hours, four medium-sized merchant vessels escorted by four antisubmarine craft were sighted at a distance of 10,000 metres. The submarine attempted to intercept, but could not gain a favourable position and at 0910 hours, gave up the attack. From 1025 to 1215 hours, Nichelio was hunted by three corvettes.
		17 Jul 1943	1402	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E	At 1402 hours, a steamer was sighted on a southerly course. The submarine could not get into a favourable position and, at 1545 hours, abandoned the attack. During the chase, another steamer was also sighted on a southerly course but there was no chance to intercept it.
		17 Jul 1943	1630	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	At 1630 hours, a submarine chaser was observed through the periscope. The submarine moved away.
		18 Jul 1943	0325	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	At 0325 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 2,000 metres, flying at an altitude of 1,000 metres. The submarine dived.
		18 Jul 1943	1700	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	At 0120 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 2,000 metres, flying at a height of 300 metres. The submarine dived.
		18 Jul 1943	1700	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	At 0120 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 2,000 metres, flying at an altitude of 300 metres. The submarine dived.
		18 Jul 1943	1700	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	At 1700 hours, a submarine chaser was observed through the periscope. The submarine moved away.
		19 Jul 1943	0058	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	At 0058 hours, an aircraft firing rockets was seen directly above the submarine. The submarine dived.
		19 Jul 1943	0310	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	At 0310 hours, an aircraft firing rockets was seen directly above the submarine. The submarine dived.
		19 Jul 1943	1130	36° 42'N, 15° 24'E (0) Approximate position.	From 1130 to 1150 hours, the submarine was subject to an A/S hunt and heard fifteen depth charges.
		19 Jul 1943	1354	36° 40'N, 15° 13'E	At 1258 hours, an 8,000-ton merchant vessel escorted by two corvettes was sighted at a distance of 12,000 metres. The submarine altered course to intercept. At 1354 hours, one torpedo (533mm, G7e type) was fired at a range of 600 metres (a second misfired). A hit was heard after 42 seconds and the vessel was claimed to have been sunk. T.V. Celio claimed he observed, through the periscope, the two corvettes picking up the survivors. The result has not been confirmed.
		19 Jul 1943	2209	36° 38'N, 15° 37'E	At 2209 hours, three cruisers (no escort could be seen) were observed steering 205° at 16 knots. The submarine could not gain an attacking position. At 0330 hours on 20th January, Nichelio made an enemy report.
		20 Jul 1943	0216		At 0216 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 1,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		20 Jul 1943	1259		At 1259 hours, the submarine had just surfaced when it was forced to dive by an aircraft.
		20 Jul 1943	1310		At 1310 hours, three corvettes were sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres.
		20 Jul 1943	2320		At 2320 hours, the submarine was forced to dive by a flare dropped very closely by an aircraft.
		21 Jul 1943	0255		At 0255 hours, the submarine was forced to dive by flares dropped by an aircraft. Two bombs were dropped when the submarine was already deep.
		21 Jul 1943	1429		At 1429 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 5,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		21 Jul 1943	1450		At 1450 hours, six MTBs were sighted through the periscope.
		22 Jul 1943	0055		At 0055 hours, three submarine chasers were sighted. Nichelio turned away but could not distance them so she dived.
		22 Jul 1943	0700		At 0700 hours, three aircraft were seen at a distance of 5,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		22 Jul 1943	1215	(0) Strait of Messina.	From 1515-1645 hours, a MAS boat escorted the submarine through the Strait of Messina.
	Celli, Claudio	12 Aug 1943	0930	Naples	12 Aug 1943	1430	Naples	17	Trials.
9	Celli, Claudio	15 Aug 1943	0844	Naples	23 Aug 1943	0800	Naples	382	Patrolled in lower Tyrrhenian Sea between 38°24'N and 38°40'N, and betweeen 15°46'E and the Calabrian coast.
		16 Aug 1943	0200	39° 28'N, 15° 05'E	At 0200 hours, an illuminated ship was sighted. At 0300 hours, the submarine was close enough to identify her as a hospital ship.
		16 Aug 1943	2050	39° 02'N, 15° 28'E	At 2050 hours, another hospital ship was sighted at a distance of 4,000 metres.
		16 Aug 1943	2140	39° 02'N, 15° 32'E	At 2140 hours, a light was seen. The submarine closed to 4,000 metres to identify yet another hospital ship. Nichelio dived at 2230 hours to avoid being seen.
		17 Aug 1943	0240		At 0240 hours, an aircraft was seen at a distance of 3,000 metres and the submarine dived.
		17 Aug 1943	0350	38° 42'N, 15° 50'E	At 0350 hours, two MTBs were sighted at a distance of 4,000 metres. Ten minutes later, Nichelio dived to avoid being seen.
		17 Aug 1943	0830	38° 42'N, 15° 50'E (0) Approximately.	At 0830 hours, Nichelio was proceeding submerged when three bombs fell near her. Three more bombs fell at 0850 hours, but the submarine did not see anything through the periscope.
		17 Aug 1943	1630	38° 31'N, 15° 48'E	At 1630 hours, an Italian hospital ship believed to be Toscana was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres.
		18 Aug 1943	0030-0200		From 0030 to 0200 hours, Nichelio was hunted and depth-charged by two vessels only detected by hydrophones. She managed to escape.
		18 Aug 1943	1630	38° 31'N, 15° 48'E (0) Approximately.	At 1630 hours, Nichelio was bombed by an aircraft as she was coming to periscope depth. The bomb fell 30 meters from the submarine without causing any damage.
	Celli, Claudio	22 Aug 1943	0800	Pozzuoli	22 Aug 1943	1100	Pozzuoli	11	Exercises.
	Celli, Claudio	22 Aug 1943	0930	Naples	22 Aug 1943	1100	Pozzuoli	11	Passage Naples-Pozzuoli.
10	Celli, Claudio	7 Sep 1943	1430	Pozzuoli	9 Sep 1943	0800	Salerno		Sailed for patrol off Salerno. Upon learning of the Armistice, she followed the orders of MARICOSOM and proceeded North to 42° parallel. On the way, then sighted two British MLs and surrendered. Escorted by British M.L.444 to Salerno where, for security reasons, her radio was disabled so she could not report on the landing. She was to have sailed to Bone in convoy but then was diverted to Palermo. She anchored in Salerno near the Command Ship USS Ancon (AGC-4).
	Celli, Claudio	11 Sep 1943	1035	Salerno	12 Sep 1943	1135 (ETA)	Palermo		Passage Salerno-Palermo in an Allied convoy [monitor HMS Abercrombie, damaged by contact mine, escort destroyer HMS Oakley and the submarine chasers SC-915 (?) (this vessel did not exist, signal was garbled), USS SC-977 (?)] and perhaps HMS Blencathra and HMS Eggesford. Lt (jg) Carty, USN and three enlisted men from the Command Ship USS Ancon (AGC-4) were put on board the submarine to act as liaison. She was to have sailed to Bone in convoy but was then diverted to Palermo.
	Celli, Claudio	19 Sep 1943		Palermo	21 Sep 1943	1830 (or 20/9?)	Malta	535	Passage Palermo-Malta [mileage from 7/9].
	Celli, Claudio	6 Oct 1943	1230	Malta	8 Oct 1943	0000	Taranto	386	Passage Malta-Taranto.
	Celli, Claudio	4 Nov 1943	0650	Taranto	4 Nov 1943	1620	Taranto	25	Exercises.
	Celli, Claudio	19 Nov 1943	0810	Taranto	19 Nov 1943	1409	Taranto	23,5	Exercises.
	Celli, Claudio	21 Nov 1943	1710	Taranto	22 Nov 1943	1050	Brindisi	159	Passage Taranto-Brindisi.
11	Celli, Claudio	26 Nov 1943	1630	Brindisi	3 Dec 1943	1010	Brindisi	768	Special operation HEADLAMP. Landed two groups of men on Italian coast in Northern Adriatic. No details on the two landings in the patrol report.
		27 Nov 1943	0507	(0) Northern Adriatic.	At 0507 hours, an MTB was sighted at a range of 800 metres proceeding at 30 knots. Nichelio turned away then submerged.
		28 Nov 1943	0344	(0) Northern Adriatic.	At 0344 hours, an MTB was sighted at a range of 500 metres proceeding at 40 knots. Nichelio turned away then submerged.
		29 Nov 1943	0344	(0) Northern Adriatic.	At 0344 hours, Nichelio reported sighting a torpedo track. The torpedo missed the submarine by two meters and she dived to 60 meters.
		30 Nov 1943	1510	(0) Northern Adriatic.	At 1510 hours, an armed schooner was sighted.
		30 Nov 1943	night 30/1	(0) South of Chioggia.	During the night of 30 November/1st December, Nichelio landed seven agents (partly trained by SOE and ISLD) for special operation HEADLAMP.
		2 Dec 1943	2030	(0) Northern Adriatic.	At 2030 hours, an aircraft was seen, which made a signal that was not recognised. The submarine dived.
	Esmenard, Ugo	22 Dec 1943		Brindisi	1 Jan 1944		Brindisi		At Brindisi. Change in command.
	Cavallina, Gaspare	5 Jan 1944	0830	Brindisi	5 Jan 1944	1210	Brindisi	46	Exercises.
	Cavallina, Gaspare	11 Jan 1944	0932	Brindisi	11 Jan 1944	1700	Brindisi	35	Exercises.
	Cavallina, Gaspare	13 Jan 1944	0930	Brindisi	13 Jan 1944	1622	Brindisi	37	Exercises.
	Cavallina, Gaspare	15 Jan 1944	0930	Brindisi	15 Jan 1944	1700	Brindisi	37,5	Exercises.
12	Cavallina, Gaspare	18 Jan 1944	1225	Brindisi	30 Jan 1944	0940	Brindisi	1383	Special Mission ABBERLEY/COMEBACK I & II (SOE) and Italian Mission BEAUMONT, OAT, GRAIN LANE. Landed three groups of men on Italian coast (two of them SOE agents) in Gulf of Venice to reach Bolzano and picked up another group.
		20 Jan 1944	1815	(0) Near Pesaro.	Between 1815 and 2210 hours, Nichelio carried out a special operation, landing an undetermined number of agents.
		21 Jan 1944	2230	(0) Near Pesaro.	Between 2230 hours and 0125 hours on 22nd January, Nichelio carried out a special operation, landing an undetermined number of agents.
		22 Jan 1944	0545		At 0545 hours, an MTB similar to a MAS boat (S-Boot?) was sighted at a distance of 1,500 metres. The submarine turned toward the boat, but it disappeared to the west.
		24 Jan 1944	0610	(0) Near Pesaro.	At 0610 hours, Nichelio picked up the agents from the COMEBACK II, OAT and GRAIN LANE missions.
		28 Jan 1944	0140		At 0140 hours, an MTB was sighted at a distance of 1,500 metres, proceeding on a southeast course. The submarine turned away.
		28 Jan 1944	0225	(0) Near Pesaro.	At 0225 hours, the submarine landed two SIS agents of ENGRAVE I and two SIS agents of ENGRAVE II missions.
	Esmenard, Ugo	17 Feb 1944	0950	Brindisi	17 Feb 1944	1510	Brindisi	30	Exercises.
13	Esmenard, Ugo	25 Feb 1944	1100	Brindisi	2 Mar 1944	0740	Brindisi	601,5	Special Mission. Landed a group of ten agents North of Pesaro.
		25 Feb 1944	1619		At 1619 hours, a bomber was sighted at a distance of 5,000 metres. The submarine dived.
		25 Feb 1944	2357		At 2357 hours, two MTBs were sighted at 500 metres. The submarine dived.
		26 Feb 1944	1835		At 2357 hours, an MTB was sighted at 800 metres. The submarine dived to 60 metres.
		27 Feb 1944	2100	44° 06'N, 13° 48'E	From 2100 hours to 0130 hours on the 28th February, Nichelio landed ten SOE agents (special operation ADVENT).
	Esmenard, Ugo	22 Mar 1944	0015	Brindisi	22 Mar 1944	1125	Brindisi	35	Exercises.
14	Esmenard, Ugo	25 Mar 1944	1345	Brindisi	3 Apr 1944	0750	Brindisi	847	Special Mission. Carried out two landing operations in Northern Istria.
		30 Mar 1944	0040	44° 57'N, 13° 10'E (0) Approximately.	At 0040 hours, four ISLD agents were landed (two for HARVEST and two for TURF).
		31 Mar 1944	0135	45° 02'N, 13° 10'E (0) Approximately.	At 0135 hours, three ISLD agents were landed (special operation TRIBUTE).
		2 Apr 1944	1838		At 1838 hours, an aircraft was sighted and the submarine dived immediately, but at a depth of 70 meters detected H.E. Realising it must two Allied A/S vessels, Nichelio surfaced and found herself in presence with two JERVIS class destroyers and recognition signals were exchanged.
15	Esmenard, Ugo	21 Apr 1944	0902	Brindisi	25 Apr 1944	0540	Brindisi	496	Special operation DASTARD (SOE). Landed a group of Greeks with stores on Island of Zante near 37°48'50'N, 20°39'E.
		23 Apr 1944	0015	37° 48'N, 20° 39'E	At 0015 hours, three Greeks agents of Force 133 (SOE) were landed with stores on the island of Zante (special operation DASTARD).
16	Esmenard, Ugo	24 May 1944	0840	Brindisi	29 May 1944	1040	Brindisi	532	Special Mission to land a group of Greeks with material on Island of Zante.
		26 May 1944	0210	37° 48'N, 20° 30'E	Between 0210 and 0325 hours, Nichelio attempted to land a group of Greek agents and stores on the island of Zante. The operation was cancelled due to a failure to get a recognition signal.
		27 May 1944	0305-0340	37° 57'N, 20° 30'E	Between 0305 and 0340 hours, Nichelio landed a group of Greeks with stores.
	Esmenard, Ugo	17 Jun 1944	1330	Brindisi	17 Jun 1944	1645	Brindisi	24	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	11 Jul 1944	0940	Brindisi	11 Jul 1944	1700	Brindisi	21,5	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	17 Jul 1944	0845	Brindisi	17 Jul 1944	1300	Brindisi	24	Exercises.
17	Esmenard, Ugo	21 Jul 1944	0710	Brindisi	27 Jul 1944	1155	Brindisi	548	Special Operations DASTARD III and DASTARD IV (SIS). Landed groups with material on Zante and Cephalonia. Then refit until November 1944.
		21 Jul 1944	1200	(0) Probably ca. 50 miles east of Brindisi.	At 1200 hours, the submarine came across a sailing boat with two Italian soldiers who had escaped from Valona. The two men were picked up as they were short on food.
		23 Jul 1944	0058	38° 19'N, 20° 24'E (0) Approximately.	At 0058 hours, a large motorboat towing two other boats were sighted. Nichelio turned away.
		23 Jul 1944	0245	38° 19'N, 20° 24'E	At 0245 hours, three Greek agents with the wireless set "Slipstream" were landed on Cephalonia (special operation DASTARD III).
		24 Jul 1944	0300	37° 49'N, 20° 38'E	At 0300 hours, an undetermined number of agents were landed (special operation DASTARD IV part one).
		25 Jul 1944	0215	37° 49'N, 20° 38'E	At 0215 hours, an undetermined number of agents were landed (special operation DASTARD IV part two).
	Esmenard, Ugo	27 Nov 1944	0845	Brindisi	27 Nov 1944	1645	Brindisi	62	Trials.
	Esmenard, Ugo	10 Dec 1944	1125	Brindisi	12 Dec 1944	0725	Taranto	212	Passage Brindisi-Taranto with the torpedo boat Animoso. The engine of the submarine broke down and she had to be towed for some time by the torpedo boat before resuming her voyage by her own means.
	Esmenard, Ugo	18 Dec 1944	0740	Taranto	18 Dec 1944	1615	Taranto	50	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	20 Dec 1944	0730	Taranto	20 Dec 1944	1610	Taranto	46	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	22 Dec 1944	0725	Taranto	22 Dec 1944	1630	Taranto	51	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	27 Dec 1944	0745	Taranto	27 Dec 1944	1615	Taranto	40,5	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	29 Dec 1944	0750	Taranto	29 Dec 1944	1600	Taranto	42,5	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	14 Mar 1945	0835	Taranto	14 Mar 1945	1140	Taranto	6	Trials.
	Esmenard, Ugo	17 Mar 1945	1205	Taranto	17 Mar 1945	1634	Taranto	24	Trials.
	Esmenard, Ugo	20 Mar 1945	0801	Taranto	20 Mar 1945	1353	Taranto	6	Gyrocompass tests.
	Esmenard, Ugo	21 Mar 1945	0707	Taranto	21 Mar 1945	1430	Taranto	30	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	24 Mar 1945	0735	Taranto	24 Mar 1945	1657	Taranto	54	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	27 Mar 1945	0615	Taranto	27 Mar 1945	1555	Taranto	49	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	4 Apr 1945	0754	Taranto	4 Apr 1945	1614	Taranto	21	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	5 Apr 1945	0645	Taranto	5 Apr 1945	1458	Taranto	24,6	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	10 Apr 1945	0650	Taranto	10 Apr 1945	1438	Taranto	38,6	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	13 Apr 1945	0750	Taranto	13 Apr 1945	1555	Taranto	37	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	19 Apr 1945	0645	Taranto	19 Apr 1945	1448	Taranto	34	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	23 Apr 1945	1320	Taranto	23 Apr 1945	2002	Taranto	42	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	1 May 1945	1353	Taranto	1 May 1945	2220	Taranto	63,5	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	4 May 1945	0543	Taranto	4 May 1945	1343	Taranto	64	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	5 May 1945	1500	Taranto	5 May 1945	1955	Taranto	48,1	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	9 May 1945	0735	Taranto	9 May 1945	1640	Taranto	79,8	Hydrophone trials.
	Esmenard, Ugo	15 May 1945	0753	Taranto	15 May 1945	1530	Taranto	5,4	Trials.
	Esmenard, Ugo	16 May 1945	0815	Taranto	16 May 1945	1744	Taranto	67,1	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	21 May 1945	0503	Taranto	21 May 1945	1010	Taranto	32	Trials.
	Esmenard, Ugo	22 May 1945	1230	Taranto	27 May 1945	2030	Gibraltar	1265	Passage Taranto-Gibraltar, escorted by corvette Cormorano.
	Esmenard, Ugo	4 Jun 1945	1440	Gibraltar	10 Jun 1945	0830	Taranto	1346	Passage Gibraltar-Taranto.
	Esmenard, Ugo	21 Jun 1945	0410	Taranto	21 Jun 1945	1005	Taranto	28	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	22 Jun 1945	0750	Taranto	22 Jun 1945	1545	Taranto	34	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	25 Jun 1945	0755	Taranto	25 Jun 1945	1545	Taranto	48	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	27 Jun 1945	1440	Taranto	27 Jun 1945	2213	Taranto	56	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	3 Jul 1945	1459	Taranto	3 Jul 1945	2215	Taranto	25	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	4 Jul 1945	0750	Taranto	4 Jul 1945	1553	Taranto	26	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	6 Jul 1945	0629	Taranto	6 Jul 1945	1531	Taranto	34	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	9 Jul 1945	0755	Taranto	9 Jul 1945	1622	Taranto	33	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	13 Jul 1945	0740	Taranto	13 Jul 1945	1545	Taranto	32	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	15 Jul 1945	1900	Taranto	16 Jul 1945	0230	Taranto	53	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	18 Jul 1945	1043	Taranto	18 Jul 1945	1543	Taranto	41	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	23 Jul 1945	0805	Taranto	23 Jul 1945	1550	Taranto	27	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	25 Jul 1945	0342	Taranto	25 Jul 1945	1124	Taranto	29	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	27 Jul 1945	0611	Taranto	27 Jul 1945	1415	Taranto	23	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	30 Jul 1945	0349	Taranto	30 Jul 1945	1150	Taranto	29	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	1 Aug 1945	1515	Taranto	1 Aug 1945	2151	Taranto	26	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	8 Aug 1945	0350	Taranto	8 Aug 1945	1435	Taranto	28	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	9 Aug 1945	0800	Taranto	9 Aug 1945	1556	Taranto	26	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	11 Aug 1945	0623	Taranto	11 Aug 1945	1600	Taranto	26,5	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	13 Aug 1945	0656	Taranto	13 Aug 1945	1550	Taranto	28	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	16 Aug 1945	1147	Taranto	16 Aug 1945	1820	Taranto	33	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	17 Aug 1945	1601	Taranto	17 Aug 1945	2040	Taranto	18	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	21 Aug 1945	0640	Taranto	21 Aug 1945	1625	Taranto	26,5	Exercises.
	Esmenard, Ugo	22 Aug 1945	1006	Taranto	22 Aug 1945	1803	Taranto	32	Exercises.

235 entries. 147 total patrol entries (17 marked as war patrols) and 104 events.

All Italian submarines

• Front page
• About
• Contact us
• FAQ
• Glossary
• What's new

 © 1995 - 2024 Guðmundur Helgason