TA-20
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The
destroyer Kawakaze ( Japanese: 江風 ) was laid down at
Jarrow Shipbuilding Ltd in Glasgow in 1913 for the
Japanese navy. Due to high work load and the outbreak of
first world war, she got delayed. Italy who in the mean
time had joined the war on the Entente side had great need
for new warships, and persuaded Japan to sell them the
unfinished destroyer in 1916. In September the same year
she was launched as Intrepido, but shortly after they
changed the name to Audace. She did service in the
Adriatic sea during first world war. In 1929 she was
modified and classified as a torpedo boat. In 1940 the
weapons on board were reduced and she was assigned the
role as an escort. From 1940 til 1943 she did service as
an escort in the Adriatic sea. In September 1943 Italy
under Mussolini had come to an end, and the Italian navy
surrendered to the Allies. Audace left Trieste 9.September
to surrender to the Allies in south Italy, but due to
engine problems she had to sail for Venice where she was
captured by the Germans. Kriegsmarine renamed her TA 20
and equipped her with better anti aircraft guns.
1.November 1944 she was sunk together with two corvettes
by British forces near the island of Pag. The wreck was
found in 1999 and rest today on a depth of 72 to 78 meter.
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 Picture: Audace Wikimedia, Public domain  Last updated: June 2019 |
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