Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Hi Stig and Gianandrea

Although I can now confirm that 253 Squadron did combat the SM79s of 204^Squadriglia on 5 April 1943 (confirmed by P/O Kelly's grandson, who has his grandfather's logbook), there are no entries in 253 Squadron's ORB for April 1943! The whole month is missing! However, it would appear that five Hurricane pilots were involved but I don't know yet how the claims were divided. Watch this space!

Cheers
Brian

PS: Gianandrea: yes, when you next visit the records office I would appreciate additional details on the losses. Many thanks.

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Re the above posting, a slight slip on my part. It is P/O Kelly's great nephew who has the logbook! Apologies to those concerned.

Cheers
Brian

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Here are the details I've been able to find.

The aircraft, from 205a Sq. of 41° Gruppo AS, took off at 18.05 local from Milis (Sardinia) lead by Cap. Ernesto Brambilla. Their mission: offensive recce with torpedo in the area of Capo Corbellin (lat. 37° 10', long. 3° 7').
All went missing: 5 officers, 5 NCO plus an unaccounted number of privates and corporals (likely, about 10).

Regards

Gianandrea

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Hi Brian,
I've found the names of the crewmembers of Cap. Brambilla'S.79:

S.Ten. pil. Di Pasquale Alfonso
Serg. marc. Pavese Mario
1° Av. arm. Lucci Elio
Av. Sc. mot. Paulitti Luigi


Best regards

Gianandrea

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Hi Gianandrea

Many thanks for the details.

Trust all is well with you. Will be in Malta next week but still too far away to drop in for a drink!

Cheers
Brian

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

I know it's been quite some time since this thread has been active, but I joined the forum because of this thread alone.

I am currently in the military along with an Italian officer who is Cap Ernesto Brambilla's sole direct descendent. I am trying to do research to create a shadow box for him. So far, most of what's in this thread was unknown to my friend, as he grew up knowing very little about his grand father.

I am writing mainly to determine if any more information is available about Ernesto, specfically his service record and/or his citation for his Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.