Zara

Zara was a light cruiser of the Italian Regia Marina that served in World War II. She was the lead ship of her class, and was named after the city of Zara in Dalmatia (now Zadar, Croatia). Zara was laid down in 1930, launched in 1931, and commissioned in 1932. She was armed with a main battery of twelve 152 mm (6 in) guns, and had a top speed of 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph). Zara saw action in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, and in the Spanish Civil War. She was also present at the Battle of Taranto in 1940, when she was damaged by a British air attack. In 1941, Zara was part of the Italian fleet that participated in the Battle of Cape Matapan, where she was sunk by British battleships. Zara was a well-designed and capable light cruiser, but her career was cut short by her loss at Cape Matapan. She remains a popular subject of interest among naval historians and enthusiasts.