Fascist Italian Maiale mini-submarines secretly approached and attached magnetic mines to the hulls of British warships during World War II.
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| This Italian mini-submarine, the Maiale, is essentially an electric torpedo with a detachable warhead. |
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| The large submarine Scire carried three Maiale submarines to the port of Alexandria (Egypt) on December 3, 1941 (during World War II). |
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| Three of these "baby" submarines, with a total of six sailors on board, entered the port and then attached mines to the hulls of two British warships and a British oil tanker. |
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| As a result, three British ships were put out of action. Two battleships were out of action for six months, and the tanker was out of action for two months. |
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| A British destroyer next to the tanker was also hit and took six weeks to repair. |
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| Mini submarine battery room. In the attack, the Italian submarine crew were captured alive. |
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| The engine room of the Maiale. Fascist Italy produced about 80 Maiale midget submarines between 1940 and 1943. |
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| The Maiale submarine is 7m long, 0.7m wide, and 0.9m high. Its maximum speed is 4 knots. |
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| Torpedoes mounted on the bow. When Italy surrendered in 1943, these submarines fell into Allied hands. The Maiale inspired the British to create the Chariot series of midget submarines. |
According to VOV
