Royal Ship Rome Association

The behavior of the Roma personnel, as evidenced by the testimonies given by the ship's veterans to the Special Commission of Inquiry (CIS), which is appointed whenever the sinking of one of our war units occurs for war reasons, was exemplary from the very beginning. departure of the ship from La Spezia.

There were many episodes of self-denial to save the wounded or seriously burned comrades, as well as the work of the officers and non-commissioned officers who, with their safety and tranquility, managed to maintain calm and order in the areas affected by the bombs and fires that have developed.

Many lost their lives to help their comrades who were trapped in areas of the ship hit and from which they could not find escape. When it became clear that the battleship was about to sink, the officers and non-commissioned officers directed the personnel towards the stern, helping the most seriously wounded.

Lieutenant Agostino Incisa della Rocchetta (Director of Firing of the 90 mm anti-aircraft guns, on the left side), despite being horribly burned in the face and hands, at the risk of his own life reached the Admiral Bridge to try to bring his help . When he arrived in Plancia he found that there was no one on Plancia's wings and that the watertight doors of access to the tower were closed from the inside. (In fact, at the order "combat post" all the watertight doors were closed from inside the premises). Lacking the strength he was unable to open them from the outside. He then moved towards the stern and, having arrived here, he ordered, as an officer of the highest ranking Staff Corps, the abandonment of the ship, shouting "Long live Italy, long live the King", as soon as he realized that there was no chance of salvation.

Admiral Biancheri reports on the abandonment of Rome in his “Report”: “I approach in order to pass close to the large wounded ship and which the smoke partially hides. I call the Machine Gun Squadron and order them to come and help. On Rome, the order must have been given to abandon ship, because I see people heading towards the stern: without running, in perfect order. Abruzzi and Garibaldi defile on either side of the dying Admiral, greeting her with extreme emotion ”.