TA-20
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The
destroyer Kawakaze - 江風 was laid down by Jarrow
Shipbuilding in Glasgow in 1913 for the Japanese
Navy. Due to the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914
she got delayed. When Italy joined the war in 1915 they
vwere in dire need of ships, and persuaded Japan to sell
them the unfinished destroyer. In September 1916 she was
launched as Intrepido for the Italian Navy, but shortly
after the name was changed to Audace. In 1929 she was
modified and classified as a torpedo boat, and in early
1940 the weapons were switched out with small caliber
guns, and she was assigned as an escort boat in teh
Adriatic Sea. In September 1943 Italy under Mussolini's
rule had come to an end, and the Italian Navy surrendered
to the Allies. Audace left Trieste 9. September to
surrender to the Allies, 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 new anti aircraft guns. 1. November 1944 she was sunk
together with two corvettes by British naval forces near
the island of Pag. The wreck was found by divers in 1999
and rest today on a depth of 72 to 78 meter.
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 Picture: Audace Wikimedia, Public domain Last updated: December 2020 |
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