Italian MAS & MS Boats 1915–49

An illustrated history of the motor torpedo boats of Italy's fast coastal forces, from their raids on enemy battleships in World War I to the dashing campaigns of World War II.

The confined seas around Italy made fast torpedo boats particularly suitable for the Regia Marina. The first were derived from the glamorous prewar hotel motorboats of Venice; although too slow, they scored remarkable successes against Austro-Hungary, sinking, among other successes, two battleships, as well as conducting valuable and little-known anti-submarine work.

Researched from unpublished primary sources, this is the first authoritative book in English to study the MAS boats, their larger MS successors, and their wars in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and beyond. Renowned Italian naval historian Enrico Cernuschi explores their evolving technology, roles, and how the boats fought in two world wars.

Illustrated with unpublished photos and superb original artwork, it traces their history from the famous actions of World War I to the troubled search for a real 'velocissimo' (very fast) MAS boat and their multifaceted roles in World War II, from the Malta convoy battles to the Black Sea naval war. It also explores little-known episodes such as their dangerous, clandestine roles post-1943, landing intelligence agents and commandos, and their secret 1945–48 battles against Yugoslavian communist infiltrators.

About the Author

Enrico Cernuschi is a naval historian based at Pavia, Italy. He has written dozens of books and monographs and more than 500 articles in Italian, English, and French. He has contributed to USNI books and has published extensively with Italy's professional naval organizations. His major works include "Ultra" La fine di un mito (2014) and Sea Power the Italian Way (2016). He is a regular contributor to Warship.

Gareth Hector is a digital artist of international standing and has also enjoyed a successful career in computer animation. He is an aviation history enthusiast and has contributed to numerous Osprey titles such as B-52 Stratofortress Units in Combat 1992–2025 and RAF Lightning Units of the Cold War. He lives in Perthshire, Scotland.

Edouard Groult grew up inspired by watching historical documentaries with his father and developed a fascination for historical and fantasy art. Following art studies in both Paris and Belgium he worked as a concept artist in the videogame industry and in recent years has also undertaken historical commissions while working as a freelancer for historical magazines. He lives and works near London.

Table of Contents

• INTRODUCTION
• The first MAS: World War I
• DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
• Interwar developments: 1919–34
• The looming war: 1935–40
• OPERATIONAL HISTORY
• The first phase: June 1940–June 1941
• The MS: a new boat
• The second phase: July 1941–December 1942
• The third phase: January–September 1943
• North and south
• ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION
• After the end
• The last bow
• FURTHER READING
• INDEX