Battle of Durazzo (1918)

Second Battle of Durazzo
Part of World War I, Battle of the Mediterranean, Battle of the Adriatic

The Italian dreadnought battleship Dante Alighieri
Date2 October 1918
Location41°18′5″N 19°21′48″E / 41.30139°N 19.36333°E / 41.30139; 19.36333
Result Allied victory
Durazzo evacuated by Austro-Hungarian forces
Belligerents
Allies:
 Kingdom of Italy
 Albania
 United Kingdom
 United States
 Australia
 Austria-Hungary
Commanders and leaders
Kingdom of Italy Osvaldo Paladini
Charles P. Nelson
Austria-Hungary Heinrich Pauer
Strength
Italy:
1 battleship
3 armoured cruisers
3 light cruisers
7 destroyers
8 torpedo boats
several MAS boats
numerous aircraft
United Kingdom:
5 light cruisers
14 destroyers
United States:
12 submarine chasers
Australia:
2 destroyers
Land:
3 shore batteries
Sea:
2 destroyers
1 torpedo boat
2 submarines
1 hospital ship
Casualties and losses
5 light cruisers damaged
1 destroyer damaged
1 steamer sunk
2 destroyers damaged
1 torpedo boat damaged
2 submarines damaged
2 steamers damaged
3 shore batteries destroyed

The Second Battle of Durazzo, or the Bombardment of Durazzo was a naval battle fought in the Adriatic Sea during the First World War. A large allied fleet led by the Regia Marina attacked the enemy-held port at Durazzo, Albania. The fleet destroyed the Austro-Hungarian shore defenses and skirmished with a small naval force. Allied forces involved primarily were Italian though British, American and Australian warships also participated. It was the largest naval battle the United States participated in during the war. Most of the city was destroyed in the bombardment.