Heroic Italian aviators!

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tigre
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Heroic Italian aviators!

#1

Post by tigre » 20 Feb 2018, 00:18

Hello everyone; a nice and interesting subject ..................................

Tenente Rinaldo "Aldo" Galimberti.

In this regard I found the following: At the end of 1940, Vaccari and Tenente Rinaldo "Aldo" Galimberti had wondered if torpedoes launched from the air were really effective against large targets such as aircraft carriers or battleships. They thought that a single-engine fast fighter armed with a heavy bomb could be less expensive and more effective than a torpedo bomber: it had no limitations in the case of the anti-torpedo net or shallow-water and could also be used in ships that were in port. Galimberti suggested a high-speed horizontal attack, throwing a bomb on the side of the target "like a bullet." On June 22, 1941, they sent a memorandum to the Ministero dell'Aeronautica.

On October 14, they were posted to the Experimental Center in Furbara. The chosen aircraft was the Reggiane Re.2001, since it could mount a rack in the central line. Meanwhile, another experienced torpedo and bomber pilot, Tenente Guido Robone joined them in Furbara. Sadly, in the spring of 1942, Galimberti perished while doing acrobatic maneuvers and crashed his CR.42 against the sea near the coast in Furbara.

Sources: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_vaccari.htm
https://www.delcampe.net/de/sammlerobje ... 74998.html

On September 17, 1940 at nightfall two SM 79 torpedo-bomber piloted by Tenente Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia ("278-3"), second pilot Tenente Rinaldo "Aldo" Galimberti with Sottotenente Giuseppe Aurili of the 84th Squadron and Sottotenente Ezio Viglione Borghese of the 96th squadron as observers) and Tenente Guido Robone ("278-1"), with Tenente Aldo Gon of the 96th Squadron as observer) of the 278 Squadriglia Autonoma Aerosiluranti attacked and seriously damaged the Cruiser HMS "Kent". Any other information? Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image006.jpg
Tenente Rinaldo "Aldo" Galimberti. Commander of a crew that
sank an enemy cruiser in the Central Mediterranean
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#2

Post by tigre » 26 Feb 2018, 22:03

Hello to all :D; more ..................................

Tenente Fernando Malvezzi (1912 - 2003).

In this regard I found the following: He was selected for the speciality of dive bomber (bombardieri a tuffo) and sent to the Dive bombing School of the Luftwaffe in Graz where he learned to fly the Ju-87 Stuka (Picchiatello). This plane was alloted the 96th Gruppo Autonomo Bombardamento a Tuffo and Malvezzi went on to command the 236 Squadriglia. With this unit he took part in his first action on September 2, 1940 in Malta. Then he participated in the Greek Campaign and the North African Campaign. On January 10, 1941, in Pantelleria, with his squadron of Stuka, managed to hit the light cruiser HMS Southampton, that received at least two bombs and caught fire. Unable to put out the fire a few hours later, the British abandoned the ship and sank it with a torpedo.

On April 11, 1941, during an attack in the port of Tobruk, Malvezzi's plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and then forced to land, suffering minor injuries. On April 13 he participated in the last attack on enemy ships and then returned to Italy on leave. On July 28, 1941, he was attached to the 96ª squadriglia of 9º Gruppo Caccia.

Sources: https://www.delcampe.net/de/sammlerobje ... 74998.html
Italian Aces of World War 2. Giorgio Apostolo

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image009.jpg
Tenente Fernando Malvezzi. Commander of a Stukas formation
that managed to severely damage an enemy cruiser .
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#3

Post by tigre » 06 Mar 2018, 00:32

Hello to all :D; more ..................................

Capitano Giorgio Grossi.

In this regard I found the following: When Italy entered the war, on June 10, 1940, the 67th and 68th Squadriglia formed the 34th Group of the 11th Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre. On the 28th of the same month, the 34th Group left Sicily with twelve S.79 to support the sector of the Aegean Sea on the Gadurrà airfield, located on the island of Rhodes. After having flown several bombing missions in the sector of the Aegean Sea, in November 1940 it was equipped with SM79 torpedo planes, fulfilling a dual function until April 20, 1941 when it was disbanded.

On December 16, 1940, a patrol of the 68th Squadriglia, composed of Cap. Giorgio Grossi and Ten Umberto Barbani claimed an impact on a cruiser that probably sank at 17:35 hours in front of Ras Azzaz ...............................

Sources: https://www.delcampe.net/de/sammlerobje ... 74998.html
http://miles.forumcommunity.net/?t=36437335
http://www.stormomagazine.com/Articles/ ... aSM79.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image012.jpg
Capitano Giorgio Grossi. Pilot of a torpedo airplane that on the coast
of Bardia sank an enemy cruiser
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#4

Post by tigre » 12 Mar 2018, 22:25

Hello to all :D; more ..................................

Tenente Umberto Barbani.

In this regard I found the following: on December 16, 1940, a patrol of the 68th Squadriglia, composed of Cap. Giorgio Grossi and Ten. Umberto Barbani claimed an impact on a cruiser that probably sank at 5:35 pm in front of Ras Azzaz. On April 2, Ten. Barbani again claimed another damaged ship on the Alexandria-Piraeus route ...............................

On April 18, 1941, Tenente Giuseppe Cimicchi and Tenente Orfeo Fiumani sank the tanker British Science in the Strait of Caso. This vessel, which was part of the convoy AN 7, had sailed from Alexandria and was heading to Piraeus, with a cargo of benzine, kerosene and naphtha, which had previously been torpedoed during an attack by the aircrafts of Tenente Umberto Barbani and Tenente Angelo Caponetti, belonging to the 279th Squadriglia, temporarily detached from Libya to Rhodes. However, under the fire of the enemy, Barbani's plane was forced to ditch in the vicinity of the Camilloni islet, but the crew was rescued by a seaplane .....................

Sources: https://www.delcampe.net/de/sammlerobje ... 74998.html
http://www.stormomagazine.com/Articles/ ... aSM79.html
Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units. Marco Mattioli

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image014.jpg
Tenente Umberto Barbani. Pilot of a torpedo aircraft that sank
an enemy cruiser near the coast of Bardia
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#5

Post by Phaing » 18 Mar 2018, 04:27

You should look into the highest-scoring fighter pilot in East Africa, I forgot his name but in a few short months he scored about 18 kills and was not lost to enemy guns, but looking for his wingman in a storm.

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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#6

Post by Ironmachine » 18 Mar 2018, 09:33

You mean Mario Visintini.

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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#7

Post by tigre » 19 Mar 2018, 21:53

Hello to all :D; more about the torpedo-bomber pilots..................................

Capitano Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia.

In this regard I found the following: Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia was born in Novara in 1915. In 1940 he was commander of the 278th Squadriglia Aerosiluranti (torpedo aircrafts). On March 5, 1941, a new unit of torpedo planes was established, the 281st Squadriglia based at the Grottaglie airport. Buscaglia, promoted to captain, was named commander. On January 1, 1942, the squadron was disbanded and Buscaglia had to wait for a new assignment. During the period under the command of the 281st Squadriglia, he had carried out about 20 combat missions and was awarded with four Silver Crosses for Military Valor and a Second Class Iron Cross granted by the German ally.

Buscaglia was appointed commander of the new 132º Gruppo aerosiluranti on April 1, 1942; in the role of group commander he had the opportunity to demonstrate his high organizational skills by equipping and training his detachment despite the numerous difficulties encountered. On November 12, 1942, during a mission in the Bay of Bougie, the S.M.79 of Buscaglia was intercepted and shot down by a Spitfire fighter. It is reported that he was lost in action, and the Gold Medal for Military Valor is awarded in memory.

In fact, Buscaglia had survived, though badly wounded and burned. Recovered by the Allies, he was cured and then interned in a prison camp in the United States. On September 8, 1943, with the signing of the armistice, Buscaglia decided to fly with the Italian Co-belligerent Aviation (ICAF).........

Sources: http://www.stormomagazine.com/Articles/ ... aSM79.html
Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units. Marco Mattioli
http://www.eaf51.org/Photo_21_Siluranti.htm
https://www.loccidentale.it/articoli/10 ... e-faggioni

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image039.jpg
Capitano Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#8

Post by tigre » 26 Mar 2018, 21:55

Hello to all :D; more..................................

Maggiore Vittorio Cannaviello.

In this regard I found the following: Vittorio Cannaviello was born in Naples on February 25, 1906, he enlisted on January 28, 1926 in the Regia Marina as a Complementary Officer. Soon, however, attracted by the audacity of the flight, he requested the transfer to the young Regia Aeronautica (October 16, 1926). Ascending to the rank of Captain, he was assigned to the 13th Stormo di Bombardamento Terrestre. He participated, from July 1937 to March 1938, as a volunteer in the Spanish war, as Commander of Bombardment squadron. He returned to Italy obtaining the rank of Major by extraordinary merit and the position of Commander of the 34° Gruppo Autonomo Bombardamento terrestre stationed in Sicily. In 1940, Italy entered the war and the 34th Group was transferred to the theater of the Aegean.

Memorable the action of April 2, 1941. In the course of that mission a section of four planes, two of the 34th Group commanded by Maggiore Cannaviello and Tenente Barbani and two others of the 281st Squadriglia, under the command of Cimicchi and Sacchetti , attacked an English Convoy from Alexandria in the direction of Athens. Tenente Cimicchi sank the steamer Homefield and three other ships were damaged. In February 1942, now with the rank of Tenente Colonnello, he returned to Naples where he served as Commander of the 2º Nucleo Addestramento Aerosiluranti. At the end of 1942 he joined the General Staff of Aeronautica and was named Attaché at the Royal Italian Delegation in Belgrade.

After the invasion of Sicily, he required telegraphically to Rome to participate in the ongoing operations against the enemy fleet. Having received the authorization, he was attached to the 132º Gruppo Aerosiluranti with headquarters in Littoria. On the night of August 12, 1943 in front of three torpedo planes took off from Littoria to attack a convoy in the waters of Sicily. The weather was bad. The three planes did not return and nobody will know if they carried out the attacks against enemy ships, if they were shot down by anti-aircraft fire or by enemy planes, or by the forces of nature.

Sources: Ali di Guerra Nº 2 junio 1941
http://www.assoaeronauticadiano.it/wp-c ... viello.pdf
Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units. Marco Mattioli

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
Maggiore Vittorio Cannaviello. Pilot of a torpedo airplane that in total sank more than 40 thousand tons of enemy ships .................................
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#9

Post by tigre » 02 Apr 2018, 20:16

Hello to all :D; more ..................................

Tenente Guido Robone.

In this regard I found the following: Guido Robone born in Como in 1912. He was part of the Reparto Sperimentale Aerosiluranti and as of September 1940 278th Squadriglia autonoma aerosiluranti. On August 21 and 23, 1940, he participated in the nocturnal attacks on Alexandria. On September 17, 1940 together with Buscaglia unsuccessfully attacked the British gunboat Ladybird and on the evening of the same day he participated (together with Buscaglia) of the attack on the British cruiser HMS Kent which received an impact at the level of the second stern tower and it resulted in serious damage. At the end of 1941 he was assigned to the Furbara Experimental Center where he joined Vaccari and Galimberti in the tests of Re.2001. After testing an ordinary 500 kg bomb, considered not sufficiently powerful for service, Vaccari chose a 381 mm naval shell, suitably prepared to accommodate 120 kg of explosive. This special bomb was named 630 PD (Perforante-Dirompente, or perforating-disruptive). The tests were not completed yet when Vaccari and Robone were ordered to suspend the trials and were transferred from Furbara.

However, on August 12, 1942, they had the opportunity to use the two Re.2001 G/V to attack an enemy convoy with four aircraft carriers that had sailed from Gibraltar (Operation Pedestal). After spotting the convoy, Vaccari and Robone dived and maneuvered to make a 90-degree attack from the port side of the HMS Victorious. They launched the bombs 80 meters away from the target and at an altitude of 20 meters at full speed. The bombs hit the ship but, according to some reports, they slid down the deck and ended up in the sea.

Sources: Fuentes: Ali di Guerra Nº 2 junio 1941
http://www.aresgames.eu/2144
Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units. Marco Mattioli

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image004.jpg
Tenente Guido Robone. Experienced pilot of a torpedo airplane with several successes to his credit.................................................
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#10

Post by tigre » 10 Apr 2018, 04:26

Hello to all :D; more ..................................

Tenente Carlo Copello.

In this regard I found the following: He was born in Milan on October 20, 1918. He obtained his pilot's license on the aircraft Breda Ba.25 on July 23, 1937, and pilot of military aircraft on March 14, 1939 with the IMAM Ro. 41 Maggiolino (beetle). He graduated from the academy with the rank of second lieutenant in s.p.e. (permanent service effettivo), in July 1939, was sent to the School of Bombing in Aviano to be qualified as a pilot of the tri-engine Savoia-Marchetti S.M.81 Pipistrello and S.79 Sparviero. Promoted to Tenente on April 4, 1940, on June 10 of the same year Italy was at war with France and Great Britain, and his squadron, under the command of Major Ettore Muti, immediately deployed on the western front, attacking the Ghisonaccia airport, in Corsica.

On July 7, the 41st Group departed for Rhodes-Gadurra in the Dodecanese, while Copello was transferred by order to the Gorizia-Merna airport, where the Reparto Speciale Aerosiluranti was formed under the command of Major Vincenzo Dequal. In addition to Dequal, the detachment had the best bombing pilots, Major Henry Fusco, lieutenants Carlos Manuel Buscaglia, Copello, Franco Melley, Guido Robone, and Aldo Forzinetti. With these elements was later formed the 278th Squadriglia aerosiluranti, whose first act of war goes back to August 15 with an attack of five S.79 against ships anchored in the port of Alexandria, Egypt. On September 17, flying with Buscaglia, and in pairs with the aircraft of Robone, attacked the heavy cruiser Kent hitting it with a torpedo and damaging her. As of October 10, 1940, the squadron passed under the command of Major Massimiliano Erasi, and on December 27, together with Robone's plane, attacked a destroyer and a monitor at anchor in the bay of Sollum. Both ships were hit. On January 11, 1941, during an action against a British convoy in southeastern Crete, he hit the aircraft carrier HMS "Eagle" with a torpedo, damaging her in the stern.

Until September 8 he was in Rome recovering from a ski accident suffered during a leave, and he was presented to the General Staff of the Regia Aeronautica where he was advised by Colonel Felice Santini about taking refuge with an aunt waiting to receive orders. Unable to move south, he became part of the clandestine military front and was captured by the Germans immediately after the attack on Via Rasella and locked in via Tasso prison from where he was released as a former decorated military pilot. After the liberation of Rome, he returned to the service in the Regia Aeronautica.

Sources: Fuentes: Ali di Guerra Nº 2 junio 1941
https://www.anceao.org/mark/carlo_copello.pdf
Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units. Marco Mattioli

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
Tenente Carlo Copello. On May 8, 1941, he struck with
a torpedo on the HMS "Eagle" off the coast of Tunisia
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#11

Post by tigre » 17 Apr 2018, 01:25

Hello to all :D; more

Tenente Angelo Caponetti.

In this regard I found the following: He was born in Rome in 1914. He came from the complement officers, and went on to permanent service for merits of war demonstrated as an assault pilot during the Spanish Civil War. On January 10, 1941 at 12:23 hours, southeast of Pantelleria, two S.79 of the 279a Squadriglia, commanded by Capitano Orazio Bernardini (with Tenente di Vascello Domenico Baffigo on board as an observer) and Tenente Angelo Caponetti, attacked a British naval convoy, including the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, which was heading to Malta as part of Operation Excess. The two S.79 launched their torpedoes at 2,500 m (2730 yards) away, missing the battleship HMS Valiant astern. Both aircraft were intercepted by four Fairey Fulmar aircraft from the 806 Air Squadron (NAS), Fleet Air Force (FAA), which pursued them for 20 miles and seriously damaged the S.79 of Tenente Caponetti: the damaged torpedo-bomber crashed when landing in Trapani.

On April 18, 1941 the 281a Squadriglia won its first confirmed success when the 7,138-ton British Science tanker, part of the AN 27 Convoy, was attacked. Initially, the ship was attacked at 12:30 hours by two torpedo bombers S.79 of the 279a Squadriglia, the aircraft commanded by the Tenente Umberto Barbani and the Tenente Angelo Caponetti, along with three bombers S.79 of the 68th Squadriglia (34º Gruppo). A torpedo hit and damaged the tanker, reducing its speed to six knots, and went, isolated and laboriously, to the bay of Suda. At 14:28 hours, while the crippled tanker was sailing in the Straits of Kasos, she was sunk by the Tenente Cimicchi (281st Squadriglia).

Sources: Ali di Guerra Nº 2 junio 1941
Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units. Marco Mattioli

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image002.jpg
Tenente Angelo Caponetti. He went to the permanent
table of officers for merits of war
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#12

Post by tigre » 24 Apr 2018, 01:19

Hello to all :D; more

In this regard I found the following: He was born in Castel Viscardo (Terni) on March 22, 1913, graduated in physical education, then entered the Regia aeronautica becoming sottotenente pilot in 1935. Volunteer for East Africa, he was appointed officer in permanent service. During the Second World War, he was pilot of Savoia Marchetti SM-79 bombers, framed in the 50th Squadriglia of the 32nd Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre, deserving of a cross of military value and a first bronze medal for military valor, before attending the aerosiluratore course at the Naples-Capodichino airport, after which he was chosen to be one of the pilots who formed the 281st Squadriglia Autonoma Aerosiluranti sent to Rhodes.

Since then he has participated in numerous missions against the enemy fleet, carrying out more than twenty missions with torpedo planes and winning his promotion for merits of war, four silver medals for military value and two bronze medals. In September of 1942 detached to the 130º Gruppo Autonomo AS operating from Elmas in Sardinia where it was promoted to Capitano.

At 08:55 hours (December 2, 1942), when the HMS Quentin had already been bombed and sunk by the bombers Ju 88 of the I. and II./KG 54, took off from Elmas, to track and attack the Force Q, eight torpedo aircraft S. 79 of the 130th Gruppo: five of the 283rd Squadriglia led by the pilot Maggiore Franco Menley and three of the 280th Squadriglia commanded by the pilot Capitano Giuseppe Cimicchi.

Cimicchi and the two survivors were able to launch their torpedoes and believe they have hit a cruiser and another vessel. However, in the Historical Diary of the Aviation of Sardinia it is written: "The action has not been completed due to the attack of the Spitfire that was launched on the formation and brought down four of our airplanes." A Spitfire was shot down by one of our "

After the armistice he took part in the Italian liberation war but not as a pilot, but as an officer of the Arditi Battalion "Duca d'Aosta", heir of the Arditi Battalion, destroyers of the Aeronautic Regia, under the command of Major Angelo Mastragostino, of which he became the second in command.

Sources: Ali di Guerra Nº 2 junio 1941
Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units. Marco Mattioli
http://www.combattentiliberazione.it/mo ... i-giuseppe
http://www.aidmen.it/topic/192-affondam ... tin/page-6

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image002.jpg
Tenente Giuseppe Cimicchi
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#13

Post by tigre » 30 Apr 2018, 14:22

Hello to all :D; more

1st Aviere A.A. (Arma Aeronautica), armiere artificiere Antonio Trevigni.

In this regard I found the following: He was born in 1917 in Tripoli. Mechanic, he volunteered in the Air Force in late 1936 as an apprentice mechanic artilleryman. Sent to the center of the 3 ^ Z.A.T. (Zona Aerea Territoriale) in Vigna di Valle, attended the 14th Ordinary Course of artillery and mechanics in July 1937, he was admitted as a specialist, obtaining in August 1938, the appointment of mechanic artillery with the rank of aviator selected. Promoted to primo aviere (1st Aviator) in June 1939, he was transferred to the Air Force of Libya, where he was assigned to the 15th stormo B.T. (Bombardamento Terrestre) at the Castel Benito airport. Seriously wounded on August 17, 1940, he was first admitted to the Derna Hospital, then transferred to Naples to be finally sent to the convalescenziario of Pozzuoli. He died on October 23, 1942 in the asylum of Pineta di Sortenna, in the province of Sondrio; where he had been hospitalized for aggravating his injuries.

Decorated with the Gold Medal for: "Gunner on board a bomber plane (Sm-79), attacked by several fighters during an action against surface naval units, wounded in the shoulder, with one leg shattered by a bullet explosive and the other broken, regardless of the excruciating pain due to very serious injuries, clinging to his weapon with a magnificent impulse, he persisted in the fire, knocking down two enemy fighters with precise bursts, rejecting the rescue that his comrades wanted to perform He invited them not to worry about him, but only about the enemy, and then he crawled to the pilot's seat to show the commander his joy at the result of the shooting. In the hospital he endured leg amputation with Roman pride and courage stoic, saying that he was only proud and pleased to have been able to fulfill his duty to his country. "

Sources: Ali di Guerra Nº 2 junio 1941
http://www.combattentiliberazione.it/mo ... 1943/12376

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image007.jpg
1st Aviere A.A. (Arma Aeronautica), armiere artificiere
Antonio Trevigni
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#14

Post by tigre » 08 May 2018, 01:59

Hello to all :D; more ..................................

Capitano pilota Victor Hugo Girolami.

In this regard I found the following: He was born in Rome, on April 24, 1910, and at the age of 18 he interrupted his studies and enlisted in the royal army as a noncommissioned officer, entering service in the Rieti artillery barracks. Excited by the world of aviation, he attended the first pilot course for young fascists held at the airport in Rome, obtaining the civil pilot license. Later he obtained the license of military pilot in the airport of Grottaglie (Tarento), and in 1934 he entered the Regia Aeronautica as sottotenente pilota di Complemento.

His first job was at the Central Pilot School in Grottaglie, but at the outbreak of the Italo-Ethiopian war he went as a volunteer for Italian East Africa. He arrived in Massaua by sea as pilot of the 9th Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre. After participating for some time in operations with the colonial police, he volunteered to participate in the Spanish Civil War in the summer of 1937. Promoted to captain for war merits during the month of March 1938, he returned to Italy in July of that year, decorated with a second silver medal, to assume command of the 50th Squadriglia Bombardamento Veloce stationed in Sardinia, and equipped with the modern trimotor Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero.

In view of the entry of Italy into the war, in May 1940 he moved to the Viterbo airport, taking command of the 63rd Squadriglia, 29th Gruppo of the 9th Stormo B.T. After the armistice with France, on September 7 he left for northern Africa to Castelbenito and then to Derna. In a desperate attempt to counteract the advance of British forces (Operation Compass), the bombers were employed in ground attack missions against the advancing columns. On December 16, 1940, the 4th Armored Brigade surrounded the Italian garrison of Sidi Omar, who desperately requested the intervention of aviation to prevent its annihilation. Six bombers of the 9th Stormo took off at 14:40 from Derna and arrived at Tobruk, where they waited in vain for the arrival of the escort fighters C.R.42 Falco, then continued, unescorted, towards the target. When arriving at the goal the Italian airplanes were intercepted by British fighter planes, consisting of approximately twenty Hawker Hurricane and five Gloster Gladiator who launched their attack from a higher altitude. Three of the six bombers were shot down after a spirited defense. The first to fall was that of the tenente colonnello William Grandjacquet, the second that of colonnello Aramu, and the third that of sottotenente Tonachella.

When the dorsal machine gunner of his plane was killed by a burst of machine gun, he took his place and continued firing until he fell, in turn, dead in the fray. To his memory the award of the Gold Medal was decreed ..............................

Sources: Ali di Guerra Nº 2 junio 1941.
http://www.milistoria.it/Apps/WebObject ... 8&lang=ita
http://www.combattentiliberazione.it/mo ... ictor-hugo

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
Capitano pilota Victor Hugo Girolami, fallen, at the age of 30,
in the skies of Marmarica and leaving a final stimulus for the
struggle to those who remain: "Italians, mark with the blood of
the Martyrs who fell in the name of the country, remind your
children that Avenge them, love them because only in them is
the certainty of Victory "
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Re: Heroic Italian aviators!

#15

Post by tigre » 15 May 2018, 01:15

Hello to all :D; more ..................................

Sergente pilota Lido Poli.

In this regard I found the following: He was born in Seravezza in 1918. He graduated in art school Stagi of Pietrasanta volunteered as a non-commissioned officer in the air force on January 3, 1938, obtaining his brevet in July of that year. Transferred to the pilot school of Foligno in January 1939 he was appointed as a military pilot in June of that year. Transferred from the Fighter School to the 4th Stormo in Gorizia in July 1939. Promoted to Sergente in August 1939. Transferred to Libya on June 11, 1940, he was seriously wounded in air combat on August 8, 1940. With his left arm smashed by an explosive bullet (it will be amputated) managed to land in its own territory ................................

He was awarded the Gold Medal for:

Young pilot member of a fighter formation that was attacked by surprise by a superior enemy force, contributed with an exceptional ability and intrepid courage to the downing of five enemy planes. Hit during the bitter struggle by an explosive projectile that crushed his left arm at shoulder height, he continued the struggle with supreme contempt for life to the extreme of his strength, finally achieving, in a supreme effort of will, land without damage near one of our columns. Once the limb was amputated, he continued to give proof, with the word and with the behavior, of the very high virtues already demonstrated throughout the fight. Sky of Marmarica, August 8, 1940 ........................

Sources: Ali di Guerra Nº 3 julio 1941.
http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/Dettag ... rato=12832
http://www.combattentiliberazione.it/mo ... 1943/12361
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_poli.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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Sergente pilota Lido Poli (March 16, 1918 - April 19, 1993)
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