Fritz X
She was renamed "Italia" on 30 July after the government of Benito Mussolini fell from power. On 3 September, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies, ending her active participation in World War II. Six days later, "Italia" and the rest of the Italian fleet sailed for Malta, where they would be interned for the remainder of the war. While en route, the German "Luftwaffe" (Air Force) attacked the Italian fleet using Dornier Do 217s armed with Fritz X radio-controlled bombs. One Fritz X hit "Italia" just forward of turret no. 1; it passed through the ship and exited the hull, exploding in the water beneath and causing serious damage. "Roma" was meanwhile sunk in the attack.