Carlo Bergamini (admiral) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlo Bergamini
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| Born | 24 October 1888 San Felice sul Panaro |
| Died | 9 September 1943 (aged 54) on board Italian battleship Roma |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Italy |
| Service/ |
Regia Marina |
| Years of service | 1908 - 1943 |
| Rank | Admiral |
Carlo Bergamini (born October 24, 1888 – died September 9, 1943) was an important Italian admiral. He is remembered for his bravery and his role during World War II.
Early Life and Career
Carlo Bergamini was born in a town called San Felice sul Panaro. He joined the navy in 1908 as a young officer, known as an ensign.
He served in the Italian-Turkish war on a ship called the Vettor Pisani. During World War I, he was in charge of the guns on the cruiser Pisa. In 1918, he earned a silver medal for being very brave during a mission near Albania.
Later, he became the commander of a destroyer ship named Giacinto Carini. Between World War I and World War II, he rose through the ranks. He became an Ammiraglio di Divisione, which is a high-ranking admiral. He also helped design a special system that helped ships aim their guns better.
World War II Service
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When World War II began, Italy was neutral for a while. During this time, Bergamini led different groups of naval ships. He then became a top officer for the main Italian fleet.
He took part in the Battle of Cape Spartivento (also known as the Battle of Cape Teulada). He was on board the battleship Vittorio Veneto during this battle. After a short time working at the Italian high command, he returned to leading naval divisions. His ships included the Vittorio Veneto and the Duilio.
On March 5, 1943, Admiral Bergamini took command of the entire Italian fleet.
In the early hours of September 8, 1943, his fleet was ready to stop the Allied forces from landing at Salerno. Later that evening, he learned that Italy had signed an agreement to stop fighting with the Allies. He was ordered to take his fleet to Tunisia, which was controlled by the Allies. The fleet left La Spezia and headed towards an Italian naval base at La Maddalena.
On September 9, 1943, Bergamini found out that La Maddalena had been taken over by German forces. So, the fleet changed course and headed directly for Tunisia. That afternoon, German bombers attacked Bergamini's fleet near Porto Torres.
Bergamini's main ship, the Roma, did not fire its guns right away. When the ships finally did fire, the German planes were too far away for the Italian anti-aircraft guns to hit them. Sadly, the Roma was hit by a special guided bomb called a Fritz X. The Italians did not know about this new weapon at the time. Admiral Bergamini, the ship's captain, and 1,350 other crew members died when the ship exploded and sank.
Legacy and Recognition
After his death, Carlo Bergamini was given a higher rank, becoming a Full Admiral.
Two Italian navy ships have been named in his honor. The first was the Italian frigate Carlo Bergamini, launched in 1960. The second is also named Carlo Bergamini, and it is the first of a new type of Italian frigate, launched in 2013.
See also
- Italian battleship Roma
