On 8th September 1943 Admiral Bergamini, commanding the Italian fleet, was ordered to surrender his ships to the allies. Both he and his officers were furious and reluctant to obey an order that they felt was dishonourable. So Bergamini ordered the fleet out to sea, destination unknown, closely tracked by both the German and the Allies. Only a few hours later the Luftwaffe launched an attack using ultra-modern, radio-controlled bombs. The Roma, pride and joy of the Italian fleet, took a fatal hit. She exploded and sank with her crew of 1400 sailors and their admiral.