RN Zara: Did More Than get Blown up at Cape Matapan (Just Barely)

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

Thanks for watching everyone! I hope you enjoyed the video. Let me know what you think about the Zara class!

[@not_reartirpitz]

Thank you for another history lesson

[@nathangoshawk]

The mention of the high speeds achieved by Italian cruisers reminded me of something I read many years ago. A flight of torpedo carrying, Swordfish biplanes were sent to attack a couple of Italian cruisers but the planes returned having to report that, as the course taken by the cruisers resulted in a strong headwind for the planes, they got away! Good old 'Stringbags'.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Imagine what they may have achieved with a tail wind😇

[@moosifer3321]

Elegant looking class - especially when Illuminated!

[@howieb3344]

Those are some nice looking ships. Good lines.

[@bigsarge2085]

Always learn something, thank you! I've read that the 8-inch main guns of the Zara class were too close together (a design choice meant to save space and therefore weight) so that the two guns per turret could not be fired simultaneously lest the wake of the shells cause both shots to be wildly inaccurate. It hampered gunnery and the RN had to develop alternate salvo techniques to manage accuracy.

[@sethmoore3232]

As a fellow historian I enjoy the content you post! 😊 keep it coming!

[@Leptospirosi]

That was a problem on the Trento class. The Zara had different guns and turrets

[@bigsarge2085]

@@Leptospirosi Dude, go read a little before you make factually untrue statements online, internet etiquette 101! The Trento class, the Zara class, and Bolzano all had 203mm shell dispersion issues as the guns were mounted too close together in all of the 1924, 1927, and 1929 versions (respectively) of the RN's 203mm turrets.

[@TP-ie3hj]

The Italian war effort/ participation is often overlooked. This is a well made video ( better than well for sure) of a great subject, thank you. Italy's fleet performed quite well considering. It managed to be a threat and required the British to plan around that threat for quite some time.

[@user-bt8vn3dj6o]

The Italian Navy had some really good looking ships.

[@Otokichi786]

Note: I associate "RN" with the British Royal Navy. In context, the warship in question is the "RM Zara," of the Royal Italian Navy. (Regia Marina)

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

I would like to dispel this myth. The prefix RN, refers to Regia Nave or Royal ship. The Regia Marina used the prefix RN. Now, that's not to say RM can't be correct. Prefixes are an odd thing! Have a great day :)

[@ronjohnson1658]

Correct: it should be RM NOT RN !! Please remove that mistake.

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

@@ronjohnson1658 Yeah, no. There are numerous photographers and documents in which the Regia Marina use RN, so I too will use it. If you’d like I can post a photo in the community tab to prove my point.

[@CliveN-yr1gv]

Craigfazekas said it all more eloquently than I could. Excellent documentary. Thank you 👏🏽🙏🏽

[@lyedavide]

The battle of Cape Matapan was the singular example of what could be achieved by radars. The real tragedy is the appalling loss of life. Then again, this is what happens in war.

[@madsaadsa7647]

Once again, you've impressed me beyond all expectations. Your Italian pronunciation was definitely better than mine and my mum is Italian. Keep it up, mate!!!😊

[@HistoryofEverythingChannel]

I've always loved Italian and French cruiser design. They always just look so nice. Except the Capitani Romani's. We don't talk about them...

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

Oh come now! The Capitani Romani's were... Interesting to say the least.

[@HistoryofEverythingChannel]

​@ImportantHistory they were certainly "interesting"

[@mattblom3990]

Italian ships are my favourite and heavy cruiser is my favourite class. I played Zara and Gorizia combined more than the rest of my ships in World of Warships. It's such a crazy battle how the Zara class was decimated but they were excellent ships for how they were designed.

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

My hope some day is that I’d be able to hire voice actors and produce a video for Matapan with different accounts on either side. I think that’d be a really cool video!

[@thomaslinton5765]

The Regia Marina (Italian for 'Royal Navy'; pronounced [ˈrɛːdʒa maˈriːna]) (RM) or Royal Italian Navy was the navy of the Kingdom of Italy (Regno d'Italia) from 1861 to 1946.

[@mkaustralia7136]

Good video

[@RayyMusik]

Basically capable and beautiful ships. I don‘t like that narrow main gun arrangement in one cradle per pair. Do you know if they had a delay trigger to avoid blast interference?

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

I know the guns placed on Trento and Trieste struggled with interference. But, they revised the guns for the Zara class. I believe it helped as Brescia states so in Mussolini’s navy.

[@alexlupsor5484]

What would happen if the navy placed mussel brakes on the ends on the 14”;15”;16” main armament?

[@Strong_UP_Calvins_zombie]

This ship kicks ass in World of Warships blitZ

[@janwitts2688]

We wanted to take one of them as a prize.. border it but unfortunately didn't go further... also our armoured carrier wanted to 'give it some' but was ordered out of line.. else she would have been the first battlestar ..

[@craigfazekas3923]

Your segments are very well done. Keep it up !! You have the ability & are clearly forthright about your assertions here. In other words- if you have issue with uncovering truths about ships or warfare ? You say as much. Not glossing over things, or worse ? Making assertions that aren't correct.... You know it's a trap that's to be avoided. I follow several naval historiographers. I rate you 2nd among them. Of one of these ? He clearly has done the homework....but goes off on tangents that are, I think, inherent to his culture. So I don't blame him for it- but, it still is an annoying tendency to try to be "clever". Plus, your speaking voice seems to show an "everyman" kind of quality, but with a firm tone at the same time. So there's that. If looking for suggestions ? Possibly Marine Nationale's carrier BEARN & stalwart mate, seaplane/aircraft tender COMMANDANT TESTE ? Thanks for doing the work & uploading for all of us !! 🚬😎👍

[@warp9p659]

That's what happens when you get ambushed by an enemy using radar to stalk you and you have no idea of it. Not a chance.

[@TP-ie3hj]

The Japanese at Salvo Island would disagree with that statement. Yes clearly radar is a huge advantage.

[@MichaelCampin]

Dont forget that imperial not metric was used and stillis when it comes to ships

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

When it comes to the mainland European navies I tend to use metric as it tends to attract more European viewers and its a more universally understood system of measure. When it comes to the USN or Royal Navy I will use imperial.

[@pauloakwood9208]

Wouldn't the Regina Marina Zara be abbreviated as RM Zara, not RN Zara?

[@ImportantNavalHistory]

True, some do use RM when referring to Regia Marina vessels. However, in numerous photos and documents the Regia Marina uses RN, which stands for Regia Nave or royal ship. So, I tend to use that.

[@pauloakwood9208]

Ok thanks. Makes sense.@@ImportantNavalHistory

[@not_reartirpitz]

Zara class. Did stuff show herself off and imitated her enemies and gets wrecked by Warspite

[@georgesoros6415]

Cruisers should never pick fights with battleships. Just a waste of men and ships.

[@NathanStickney-xv6dy]

😂