Table of Contents

An Italian and British persepective: Origins of The Breathing apparatus and diving suit. Origins of the Chariot. How the human torpedo acquired its name. Evolution of Italian and British 'submersibles.' Italian 'pilots' British 'charioteers.' The underwater chariot post 1945 List of all known pilots and charioteers Bibliography

About the Author

Robert Hobson was born in Downe, Kent in 1940. Instrumental in preserving naval and maritime history, Hobson founded The Under Water Heritage Trust. Documents and diaries belonging to his late father, a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy form the basis to this book which includes a foreword by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh.

Reviews

"CHARIOTS OF WAR is a fascinating book, and I am delighted to have played a part in helping Robert Hobson to create the largest human torpedo display in the world, at Eden Camp Museum.' Stan Johnson MBE Founder of The Eden Camp Museum, Malton Yorkshire 'This incredible book details a fascinating and important aspect of Italian and British naval history during World War II.' Admiral C Bettini - Italian Naval Attache Rome 'These underwater weapons were built by my late father's factory in Milan, and declared 'secret weapons' by the Italian Navy. Today, my family extend our full support to the author Robert Hobson in his quest to preserve this important and little-known facet of naval history.' Contessa Maria Fede De Taliedo Rome. 'This book tells the story of a revolutionary underwater weapon conceived by two Italian naval engineers in 1935. It is quite remarkable, that the details of these 'secret weapons' and the wartime exploits of both the British and Italian Navy are now preserved and united in here in one book.' Gino Birindelli Former Italian Underwater Pilot 'When Robert Hobson, the son of my Commanding Officer first contacted me in 1990 I was not filled with enthusiasm for creating a human torpedo display, or informing him of my wartime experiences. After discussion with my friend and wartime companion Geoffrey Larkin we agreed to accompany Robert Hobson, and scour England for human torpedoes. Our adventures took us all over the country, culminating in the most spectacular human torpedo display at the Eden Camp Museum, and the publication of CHARIOTS OF WAR, which includes photographs and documents that I hadn't seen for over sixty years; I am delighted that our story has not been lost in the mist of time, but resurrected for the education of future generations.' LEN BEREY D.S.M. Former Charioteer 'When I first heard from Robert Hobson that he was interested in 'Chariots' I was immediately intrigued because I had served in HMS Valiant as a Midshipman only months before the Italian Navy 'human torpedoes' scored such a remarkable success in sinking her, and HMS Queen Elizabeth in Alexandria Harbour in 1941. When I heard about this attack, I naturally took a keen interest in what had happened to my former shipmates, but I had to wait until this book was written before I learnt the full details about this 'secret war' and the many other stories of the extraordinary gallantry of the sailors who manned, what the Italians called 'pigs' and the British, 'chariots.' I think Robert Hobson deserves great credit for his persistence in digging out, and writing the fascinating history of this form of underwater warfare, and for creating the special exhibition in the Eden Camp Museum in Malton. It is a fitting tribute to a group of quite exceptionally brave men.' H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh"