Aquila

The Aquila Aircraft Carrier was begun for the Regia Marina during the years of 1941to 1943 when it was seized by the Germans. Aquila was converted from the trans-Atlantic passenger liner SS Roma during World War II. 

Preceded by: N/A

Succeeded by: N/A

The Aquila Aircraft Carrier brief history. Work on converting Roma into an aircraft carrier began in earnest at Cantieri Ansaldo, Genoa, in November 1941. Since a battleship named Roma was already under construction, the ship's name was changed to Aquila. Aquila was nearing completion and had passed her first static test when Italy surrendered to the Allies on 8 September 1943. Germany then seized the ship and placed it under guard. Aquila was later damaged on 16 June 1944, during an Allied air attack on Genoa. Near the end of the war, the Italian "co-belligerent" government feared the Germans might use Aquila as a blockship in the entrance to Genoa harbor. They sent divers from the former Decima Flottiglia MAS, who on 19 April 1945 partially scuttled Aquila in a harmless location.