World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

This article refers to the entire MTSM-class; it is not about an individual vessel.

ww2dbaseThe Italian Navy began designing a replacement for the WW1-era MAS-class motor torpedo boats in Dec 1939, ultimately resulting in the introduction of the MTSM-class boats (Motoscafo da Turismo Silurante Modificato) in the fall of 1941, built by Baglietto Shipyard of La Spezia in northern Italy. Between 1941 and 1943, more than 100 were built. Most of them patrolled the Mediterranean Sea, targeting Allied shipping, while a number of them were deployed in the Black Sea in support of the invasion of the Soviet Union. One of the better known successes achieved by a MTSM-class boat came in the form of MTSM-228 attacking and disabling British destroyer HMS Eridge off the Egyptian coast in Aug 1942, ultimately leading to the destroyer being deemed a total loss. In Sep 1943, when Italy signed the armistice with the Allies, 10 MTSM-class boats joined the pro-Allies faction, while an unknown number of boats joined the pro-Axis faction in the north still led by Benito Mussolini. Between 1943 and 1945, these boats operated mainly in the Adriatic Sea.

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MTSM-class Motor Torpedo Boat Operational Timeline