The Zara class of heavy cruisers was developped as an improvement of the precedent Trento class. With more armour (50% plus than the Trento) and the same armament of 8 guns of 203 mm, the Zara class were well-balanced ships. The FIUME, launched the 27th of April, 1930 in the Trieste shipyard, entered in service, as second of is class, the 25th of November, 1931. All the Zara class, including Zara, FIUME, Pola and Gorizia werewas involved in the opening battles of the 2nd World War. During the battle of Cape Matapan (Greece) the FIUME, escorted by four destroyers, try to rescue the Pola hit by a British aerial torpedo; intercepted by superior British forces, including Valiant, Warspite and Barham, was defeated and shunk, with two of the destroyers, in the night of the 29th of March, 1941.