Crotone – June 10, 2024 marks the “Navy Day”, whose institution dates back to March 13, 1939, in memory of one of the most significant and daring actions carried out at sea during the 1st World War: the Premuda feat.
The most brilliant and daring naval action of the First World War, in fact, occurred in night between 9 and 10 June 1918 when a section of two MAS, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Luigi Rizzo, left the port of Ancona heading towards the island of Premuda where they should have carried out a normal surveillance activity in order to ascertain the presence of minefields in the area. During this activity, however, the units intercepted the powerful Austrian naval team composed of two battleships, a destroyer and six torpedo boats which, having left the enemy base in Pola, was heading towards the Otranto Channel. Thus was born one of the most brilliant naval actions of the First World War, during which, at the conclusion of an attack conducted with incredible audacity and great skill, Commander Rizzo torpedoed and sank the battleship “Santo Stefano”.
On the occasion of Navy Day 2024 – Open day from 09.00 to 11.00 on 10 June next, the Crotone Harbor Master’s Office will be open to the public.
