ePub Mussolini's Navy: A Reference Guide to the Regia Marina; 1930-1945 by Maurizio Brescia in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A first class reference workBy Robert A.; ShoafI have read a few works on Italy's Regia Marina of WWII; but nothing that can approach the scope; comprehension; information; and attractive format of this important work.As others have said; this is NOT a chronicle of Italian Naval actions of WWII; but a detailed reference work regarding the major; and minor combatants of this oft ill-used fleet. Outstanding; detailed photos; well done line drawimgs; and a color section on the various camouflage schemes all add to this books appeal. It appears to be a labor of love for it's author.The Italians built a number of handsome;modern warships; and the are well -described here; including their eventual; usually sad fates. My only minor issue is that a bit more information on uniforms; and expanded information on major personalities would have been welcomed by me.All; in all; a very fine work; and one that I will treasure for yeras to come.Highly recommended for anyone with a serious interest in WWII navies; and especially; the Mediterranean campaign.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Thorough history of the Italian navyBy Stewart A. WalkerThis book more than met my needs and expectations; It not only met my needs for information about the vessels; but wen beyond that with information about camouflage systems; naval organization; dockyards; uniforms; naval personalities and historical information. The focus is on the vesels constructed within the 1920 - 1943 period and detailed information on those vessels is provided. Information on vessels constructed prior to 1920 is summarized by narrative. The book is excellently illustrated with large photos and elevation drawings of the vessels. Two complaints: (1) The vessels constructed prior to 1930 should have been given more detailed information if they were part of Mussolini's navy and (2) Deck layouts of the at least the weather decks would have been helpful. In summary though; this book is a winner.20 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Lavishly illustrated reference work on Regia MarinaBy Brandon MuslerI have long felt there is a dearth of serious books about the Italian Navy in English. Well; the situation has just improved. MUSSOLINI'S NAVY: A Reference Guide to the Regia Marina 1930-1945 has something for everyone -- historian; naval wargamer; modeler -- and can justify it's price based on the number and quality of photographs alone. The author; Maurizio Brescia is apparently an editor at Storia Militare; and a contributor to a journal of the Italian Navy besides. He has authored works on destroyers of the 30's (particularly the Navigatori class;) a book on Italian naval camouflage and an illustrated history of naval photography. He curates for maritime museums and archives and is an accomplish draftsman. And ALL of that knowledge and those skills were leveraged to advantage in this concise 240 page reference work. Table of contents:1) The Regia Marina from 1861 to 19392) Dock Yards; Naval Bases; Ports; Shipyards and Coast Defenses3) Fleet Organization and Operations4) Ships in Service 1940-455) Surface and Underwater Assault Craft6) Naval Aviation7) Italian Naval Camouflage in the Second World War (this includes high quality color illustrations for you miniature painters and modelers; btw)8) Flags9) Uniforms; Ranks; Insignia; and Decorations10) Who's Who in the Italian Navy in the Second World WarWide ranging in scope; the text is informative but not exhaustive. (Minutia about weaponry or sensor data will still require cracking Whitley; for example.) I want to stress that the period photographs; line drawings and color panels are the most outstanding elements of this book. A few were familiar to me; but the vast majority of them were not...and let's face it...Italian warships are eye candy.One caveat: this book is NOT a comprehensive battle or campaign history of the Italian Navy in World War Two. You will be disappointed if you are looking for a detailed account of Matapan with multiple maps or ship tracks etc... This is a general reference work that organizes a wide range of discrete technical information into one handy volume; not a narrative of the Regia Marina at war. It does however have an extensive bibliography of (mostly) Italian source materials if you are doing serious research and need to delve deeper.Another note regarding Chapter 4: this book seems particularly strong on the details of ship propulsion and offers realistic assessments of actual wartime operational speeds (and endurance;) instead of the often highly misleading published trial speeds. There is good coverage of changes in major weapons systems but usually noted by year; not month and year.