Alfa Romeo race engined suicide speed boats during WWII

[Pierre Martins]

Here's an unusual one. The other night I was watching the history channel and they had something on about the early years of WWII.

I had to take call so I couldn't pay attention to the telly, but there was something about the Italians building speed boats fitted with Alfa race car engines. They stuffed 'em with explosives and the pilots would aim them at a large ship, go full speed and jump out of the boats before impact. A sort of kamikaze manouvre, but the pilots saved themselves and surrended afterwards.

They sunk an English cargo ship (didn't get the name of the ship) in the port of Alexandria.

I'd like to learn more about this episode in Alfa Romeo history. Anyone out there got more info on this?

Cheers,
Pierre.