The Littorio Class (3 reviews)
Ermino Bagnasco
Found in: Maritime History Books
All Seaforth Books
Hardback 320 pages
ISBN: 9781848321052
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Italy's Last and Largest Battleships
Ermino Bagnasco
Found in: Maritime History Books
All Seaforth Books
Hardback 320 pages
ISBN: 9781848321052
Published: 18 July 2011
£45.00
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For its final battleship design Italy ignored all treaty restrictions on tonnage, and produced one of Europe’s largest and most powerful capital ships, comparable with Germany’s Bismarck class, similarly built in defiance of international agreements. The three ships of the Littorio class were typical of Italian design, being fast and elegant, but also boasting a revolutionary protective scheme – which was tested to the limits, as all three were to be heavily damaged in the hard-fought naval war in the Mediterranean; Roma had the unfortunate distinction of being the first capital ship sunk by guided missile.
These important ships have never been covered in depth in English-language publications, but the need is now satisfied in this comprehensive and convincing study by two of Italy’s leading naval historians. The book combines a detailed analysis of the design with an operational history, evaluating how the ships stood up to combat. It is illustrated with an amazing collection of photographs, many fine-line plans, and coloured artwork of camouflage schemes, adding up to as complete a monograph on a single class ever published.
Among warship enthusiasts battleships enjoy a unique status. As the great success of Seaforth’s recent book on French battleships proves, that interest transcends national boundaries, and this superbly executed study is certain to become another classic in the field.
These important ships have never been covered in depth in English-language publications, but the need is now satisfied in this comprehensive and convincing study by two of Italy’s leading naval historians. The book combines a detailed analysis of the design with an operational history, evaluating how the ships stood up to combat. It is illustrated with an amazing collection of photographs, many fine-line plans, and coloured artwork of camouflage schemes, adding up to as complete a monograph on a single class ever published.
Among warship enthusiasts battleships enjoy a unique status. As the great success of Seaforth’s recent book on French battleships proves, that interest transcends national boundaries, and this superbly executed study is certain to become another classic in the field.
This is a book and a half! The ambitious aim of the authors throughout its 350-pages is to provide the reader with “the most complete and up-to-date picture possible of the genesis, design, building, and... [read full review]
Military Modelling
This is an absolutely first class read for any enthusiast interested in WW2 warships and is recommendedModel Boats, November 2011
…it’s an interesting publication on a fascinating and rarely covered subject. The incredible detail in which these ships are covered is worthy of gracing any maritime collection. Period black and white archive photographs, dozens... [read full review]Military Machines International, Oct 2011
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About Ermino Bagnasco
ERMINIO BAGNASCO is the Editor of Storia Militare, Italy’s leading military journal. He is the author of many books on Italian warships, and is widely regarded as the foremost authority. For this volume he was assisted by AUGUSTO DE TORO, a member of the staff of Storia Militare, and himself the author of many articles and monographs.
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