Decima Flottiglia MAS

Decima Flottiglia MAS
Unit name	Decima Flottiglia MAS
Caption	Emblem of the Decima Flottiglia MAS
Dates	1941–1943 (Regia Marina), 1943–1945 (Italian Social Republic)
Country	Kingdom of Italy (1941–1943), Italian Social Republic (1943–1945)
Branch	Regia Marina (1941–1943), Marina Nazionale Repubblicana (1943–1945)
Type	Naval special forces
Role	Assault craft operations, sabotage, raiding
Size	Flotilla
Garrison	La Spezia
Nickname	I Maiali (The Pigs), Xª MAS
Battles	Battle of the Mediterranean, Operation Pedestal, Suda Bay, Alexandria, Gibraltar
Notable commanders	Vittorio Moccagatta, Junio Valerio Borghese

Decima Flottiglia MAS. It was an elite assault craft unit of the Regia Marina during World War II, renowned for its daring and innovative special operations against Allied shipping. The unit pioneered the use of human-guided torpedoes, explosive motorboats, and frogmen to conduct devastating attacks in heavily defended harbors. Following the Armistice of Cassibile in 1943, most of the unit sided with the Italian Social Republic, continuing operations under Junio Valerio Borghese until the end of the war.

Formation and History

The origins of the unit trace back to the First World War with the creation of early assault craft teams. It was formally established in 1941 under Captain Vittorio Moccagatta, consolidating various experimental sabotage units. Its development was heavily influenced by earlier Italian naval thinkers and the pioneering work of engineers like Teseo Tesei and Elios Toschi. The unit operated under the Regia Marina until the Armistice of Cassibile in September 1943, after which the majority of its personnel, led by Junio Valerio Borghese, pledged allegiance to Benito Mussolini's Italian Social Republic. This period saw its expansion into a larger, politically aligned formation involved in anti-partisan operations across Northern Italy.

Organization and Structure

The flotilla was divided into distinct operational groups specializing in different attack methods. The surface division operated high-speed explosive motorboats like the MTM, while the sub-surface division was responsible for the famous manned torpedoes, nicknamed Maiale. A separate department handled the training and deployment of frogmen and combat swimmers for underwater sabotage. Key support and training facilities were located at the San Bartolomeo base in La Spezia and on Lake Iseo. After 1943, the organization under the Italian Social Republic expanded significantly, incorporating land-based infantry and artillery units, and was often referred to simply as the Xª MAS.

Operations and Battles

The unit executed some of the most audacious naval raids of the Battle of the Mediterranean. A major success was the December 1941 attack on Alexandria, where manned torpedoes severely damaged the battleships HMS ''Valiant'' and HMS ''Queen Elizabeth''. Other notable operations included the sinking of the cruiser HMS ''York'' in Suda Bay and repeated attempts to strike shipping in the heavily fortified harbor of Gibraltar. The unit also participated in the large-scale Regia Marina attack on the Operation Pedestal convoy. Post-armistice, its operations shifted to the Adriatic Sea and included attacks on Partisan positions and Allied shipping along the Dalmatian coast.

Equipment and Vehicles

Its most iconic weapon was the Maiale (Pig), a slow-speed, human-guided torpedo that could carry two operators and a detachable warhead. For surface attacks, it utilized the MTM motoscafo da turismo modificato, a small explosive motorboat designed for ramming. Personnel were equipped with rebreathers, such as the ARO, for clandestine underwater swimming. The unit also employed modified torpedo boats like the MS type as mother ships to transport its assault craft and frogmen close to their objectives. Later in the war, it operated a variety of captured and improvised vessels in the Adriatic Sea.

Commanders and Personnel

Its first commander was Vittorio Moccagatta, who was killed during a raid. He was succeeded by the unit's most famous leader, Junio Valerio Borghese, whose leadership defined its later history and political alignment. Key operational figures included decorated pilots and swimmers like Luigi Durand de la Penne, who received the Gold Medal of Military Valor for the Alexandria attack, and Vincenzo Martellotta. Other notable personnel were engineers and pioneers Teseo Tesei and Elios Toschi, who were instrumental in developing its tactics and technology. Many veterans later played significant roles in the post-war Marina Militare and international special forces.

Legacy and Impact

The Decima Flottiglia MAS is considered a progenitor of modern naval special forces, influencing the development of units like the British Special Boat Service and the United States Navy SEALs. Its innovative use of manned torpedoes and frogmen set a precedent for underwater sabotage. The unit's complex legacy is marked by its celebrated military achievements under the Regia Marina and its subsequent, controversial role within the fascist Italian Social Republic. Its history, technology, and operations have been the subject of extensive study in military history circles and continue to be referenced in discussions of asymmetric warfare and special operations.

Category:Naval special forces units and formations of Italy Category:Military units and formations of the Regia Marina in World War II Category:Military units and formations of the Italian Social Republic