Chariots of War
CHARIOTS of WAR details a remarkable and little known facet of naval history.
Invented in 1935 by two Italian naval engineers, the small submersible, (often nicknamed the 'Human-Torpedo' or 'Chariot')did not see active service until the Second World War.
A series of attacks were made by the Italian Navy against British vessels anchored at various Mediterranean ports. The Italian objective was to reduce the superior power of the British fleet, and in turn gain control of the Mediterranean.
In December 1941 three Italian 'Chariots' entered Alexandria Harbour; they sunk a British tanker, and seriously damaged the battleships, Queen Elizabeth and Valiant. His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was a Midshipman aboard the Valiant but miraculously had to leave the ship just prior to the attack.
The Italian success resulted in increased security at all British held, Mediterranean ports. Additionally, Prime Minister Winston Churchill immediately instructed the Admiralty to form a British, 'human-torpedo' unit.
With the armistice between Britain and Italy, members of the Italian 'human-torpedo' teams had been split. Some members remained loyal to Mussolini and continued to fight alongside the Germans. Others, declared allegiance to their King and vowed to fight with the British. As would be expected, both the Italians and British remained suspicious of each other although technically they were now on the same side.
On April 18th 1944; after the British had had some success with their 'secret weapon'; the Admiralty issued an official press release detailing their 'secret weapon' - the following day, the 'human-torpedo' featured on the front page of every newspaper throughout Britain and an exhibition was mounted at Harrods Store in Knightsbridge. The 'human-torpedo' and the exploits of the exceptional band of men that operated them was at last in the public domain.
Chariots of War was written with the special help of Len Berey, Dickie Greenland, Gino Birindelli and Nino Battaglia.
It has been a privilege to publish CHARIOTS of WAR and to create for the first
time since 1945 a publication devoted to the bravery of both the Italian and
British 'human-torpedo' crews.
The public response to CHARIOTS of WAR has already far exceeded our expectations as shown by the quotes below;
'I think the author deserves great credit for his persistance in digging out, and writing up the fascinating history of this form of underwater warfare, and for creating the special exhibition at the Eden Camp Museum near Malton. This book is a fitting tribute to a group of quite exceptionally brave men' - H.R.H THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
'What an amazing story, untold since 1945' -
RACHAEL SLOANE - BBC RADIO
'These human torpedoes were built by my father's Milan factory in 1943. Even after 1945, the Italian Navy declared these underwater machines a 'secret weapon' and prohibited the Caproni factory from selling those that had been completed. Today my family are delighted to support Robert Hobson in his quest to preserve this important aspect of naval warfare' -
CONTESSA MARIA FEDE CAPRONI DE TALIEDO
'This incredible book details an important aspect of Italian and British Naval history. The Italian Navy have been delighted to support the author with his research and introduce him to surviving Italian operators -
ADMIRAL CRISTIANO BETTINI - ITALIAN NAVAL ATTACHE, ROME.
'The discovery of photographs and documents, which I had not seen for over sixty years means that our story is not lost in the mist of time, but resurrected for the education of future generations -
LEN BEREY D.S.M - FORMER BRITISH CHARIOTEER
'CHARIOTS of WAR' completely captures a very important element of Italian and British Naval warfare -
GINO BIRINDELLI - FORMER ITALIAN UNDERWATER PILOT
HOW TO ORDER
Obtainable through all good bookshops or through this company an autographed copy.
Cheques made payable to R.W.Hobson for £34.45 (£29.95 book plus £4.50 postage and packing) and send to 6 Aycliffe Close, Bromley Kent BR1 2LX
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