After the end of hostilities, the Regia Marina – which at the beginning of the war was the fourth largest navy in the world, with a mix of modernised and new battleships – started a long and complex rebuilding process. The Italian Navy assumed its present name after the Italian monarchy was abolished following a popular referendum held on 2 June 1946.Īt the end of its five years involvement in World War II, Italy was a devastated nation. The Regia Marina was formed on 17 March 1861, after the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. La Ritirata ( ritirata is the return of soldiers to their barrack, or sailors to their ship after a leave) by Tommaso Marioġ0 June – Sinking of the Austro-Hungarian battleship SMS Szent István by Luigi Rizzoġ Cavalier Cross of the Military Order of Savoyģ Cavalier's Crosses of the Military Order of Italy

Coat of arms of the Italian Navy, displaying the coats of arms of former Italian maritime republics (clockwise from top left: Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi)

Italian navy in world war 2