Michele Bianchi was a of the Italian Regia Marina that saw action in the Second World War. The submarine, (pennant number BH), was launched on 3 December 1939.
Her first war patrol was in the Mediterranean Sea from 15 August to 3 September 1940. Michele Bianchi sailed on 27 October 1940 and reached the Strait of Gibraltar on 3 November. Her attempted transit to the Atlantic was detected by Royal Navy forces, and Michele Bianchi took refuge in the neutral port of Tangier. Michele Bianchi left Tangier on 12 November and reached Bordeaux on 18 December 1940.
Michele Bianchi sank four ships on her first BETASOM patrol from Bordeaux; but the next patrol from 30 April to 30 May 1941 was unsuccessful. After sailing from Bordeaux on 4 July 1941, Michele Bianchi was torpedoed and sunk with all hands by on 5 July.
+ Ships sunk by Michele BianchiPatrolDateShipFlagTonnageNotes4th14 February 1941Belcrest4,517Freighter from Convoy SC 21; no survivors4th15 February 1941Alnmoor6,573Steam merchant from Convoy SC 21; no survivors4th24 February 194110,946Freighter from Convoy OB 288; no casualties4th27 February 1941Baltistan6,803Freighter; 18 survivors from a crew of 69Total:22,266
References
External links Michele Bianchi Marina Militare website