Bartolomeo Colleoni

Condottieri A-class light cruisers were the first Italian cruisers to be built after the First World War. In the 1930s, these heavily armoured scouts were designed in response to the new French destroyers; the Jaguar, the Lion, and the Aigle. With an excellent maximum speed of 37 knots, the Italian light cruisers also boasted much more powerful armament and 24mm belt armor. The primary armament included eight 152 mm guns (four turrets with two in each), as well as six 100 mm long-range cannons, two twin 533 mm torpedo tubes and mines. The anti-air armament comprised two 40 mm autocannons and eight large-calibre Breda Mod 31 13.2 mm machine guns in four twin mounts.

For War Thunder, we have recreated one of the cruisers from this illustrious series, the Bartolomeo Colleoni, named after a famous Italian condottiero from the 15th century. The ship was built in 1931, and at the start of the Second World War, she formed the 2nd Cruiser Division in the 2nd Squadron together with the other “condottiero” cruiser in the series. Deployment highlighted serious navigability issues, which meant that the light cruisers were unable to chase down enemy destroyers, and the armour and survivability of the “condottieri” was markedly lower than that of standard cruisers. Nevertheless, the Italian light cruisers developed the idea of the first French light cruisers and created a new concept of ships of this type in global shipbuilding, with subsequent light cruiser projects using the experience of the Italian engineers to improve their designs.

HMS Enterprise

A British light cruiser, HMS Enterprise was put into service in 1926, becoming the second and last E-class (Emerald) combat ship in the British Crown's forces. The light cruisers in this series were conceived as mobile and relatively well armoured ships for conducting reconnaissance among squadrons of battleships, escorting convoys, and leading groups of small mine and torpedo ships. Based on these objectives, particular attention was paid at the design stage to the light cruisers' seaworthiness. In fact, E-class cruisers became some of the fastest cruisers of the time, though by the start of the Second World War they were showing their age in comparison to the naval fleets from other nations.

What set the Enterprise apart from her sister E-class ship, was her experimental mount for two large-calibre weapons. The Enterprise light cruiser can reach 33 knots and has good armour up to 3“ (75mm) around the engine and boiler sections, 2” (50mm) of belt armour, and 1” (25mm) hull side and deck plating. The cruiser's main armament includes seven 6” (152mm) guns, two in a twin turret and another five in single mounts. HMS Enterprise's auxiliary armament consists of three 4” (102mm) weapons for anti-air defense, two quadruple 40mm anti-air guns, six twin and six single 20mm mounts. In addition, the cruiser also has two twin torpedo racks and a simple release rack for depth charges.

The First Light cruisers in War Thunder

The first two models of light cruisers presented are the British HMS Enterprise, an Emerald-class light cruiser, and the Italian Giussano-class light cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni. The HMS Enterprise is capable of speeds up to 33 knots, boasts good armour, and is armed with seven 152mm main cannons, as well as anti-aircraft cannons, machine guns, and even torpedo tubes. The Bartolomeo Colleoni is slightly faster at 37 knots and surpasses the HMS Enterprise in armament, as it offers eight 152mm main cannons plus six additional 100mm long range cannons. Its protective capabilities, however, are considerably weaker, with only up to 24mm of hull armour in comparison to the 75mm offered by the British ship. Captains of the Bartolomeo Colleoni will also have to keep an extra eye on the sky, considering the noticeably weaker anti-air defense compared to the HMS Enterprise. The latter, however, still remains susceptible to attacks from daring torpedo bombers, given that the British ship will need more time to maneuver than the faster Italian.

In War Thunder Naval Battles, light cruisers are well placed at distance from smaller enemy vessels, as in such conditions, they can inflict severe damage to the enemy fleet while sustaining fire even from two destroyers simultaneously. In close combat, armour-piercing shells can deal devastating damage to light cruisers, and they always need to keep an eye out for enemy torpedo boats sneaking dangerously close. Played strategically, light cruisers protected by destroyers and patrol ships will be able to assert dominance over an entire sea sector, securing strategic positions and blocking enemies from advancing through an area of strategic interest.

The War Thunder Team