Italian Dreadnoughts
Entries in bold indicate photos.
Dante Alighieri Class
| Dante Alighieri | The Alighieri was the first battleship to be built with triple turrets, although the long building times led to the Austro-Hungarians to be the first to commission one. It had been intended to mount superfiring turrets, but conservatism ruled. |
Conte Di Cavour Class
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Conte Di Cavour Giulio Cesare Leonardo Da Vinci |
Overcoming their doubts about superfiring turrets, the Italians mounted them on the Cavours. Concerns about topweight led to the unusual layout of twin turrets firing over triples. Both the survivors were extensively rebuilt in the inter war years. |
Francesco Caracciolo Class
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Cristoforo Colombo Francesco Caracciolo Francesco Morosini Marcantonio Colonna |
The Caracciolos bore some resemblance to the Queen Elizabeths. They would be the first Italian battleships to mount 15" guns. Wartime priorities led to three being scrapped during construction, and the other being dismantled after launching. |
Andrea Doria Class
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Andrea Doria Caio Duilio |
The Dorias were little more than repeats of the Cavours. In the inter war years they were modernized like the Cavours. |
Vittorio Veneto Class
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Vittorio Veneto Littorio / Italia Roma Impero |
The Venetos were a response the the French Dunkerques. The aft turret was mounted high to clear the aircraft catapult. Torpedo protection was good, but did little to protect Littorio and Veneto at Taranto. |
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