One for our Italian experts!
 

Hi guys

Sometime in April 1943, Hurricanes of 253 Squadron enountered a formation of SM79 torpedo bombers attempting to attack a convoy off the North African coast. Four of the SM79s were claimed shot down. What were the losses? The unit involved? Identities of crews? And, of course, the date?

Any help will be appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Hi Brian!
Perhaps you are looking for this episode:
on 5 april 1943 4 S.79 lead by Cap. Ernesto Brambilla leaved their Sardinian base at 18.05 but didn't came back.

Souece Storia degli Aerosiluranti italiani by C. Unia

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

All the 4 missing S.79 had a torpedo and belonged to 205a Sq. 41° Gruppo AS.

Best regards

Gianandrea

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Hi Gianandrea

Many thanks - that could well be the unit involved.

Best wishes from rainy Suffolk

Brian

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Funny

I just checked Fighters over Tunisia. on April 5th, it says, "From Sardinia four SM 79 took off in the early evening to attack targets in the Bougie area, all failed to return. No reason for their loss has been discovered".

What about it Guys. Do we add up 1 + 1 into 2 or what?? :)

Cheers
Stig

PS: Brian, Gothenburg ain't much better weather wise, I can tell you. Bet good old Gianandrea is sitting outside somewhere sipping his tasty evening wine, while we are back right into our caves....:)

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Hi Stig

I don't know about you, but I'm sitting here also sipping my tasty
evening wine! The weather can't stop that!

Cheers
Brian

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Hmmmm

I must confess I just did the same, but differing from Gianandrea I am doing it inside my cave, because sitting outside would just make me wet and miserable. Had a very tasty baked Salmon as a side kick as well, so I am feeling pretty good, as long as I don't have to stick my nose out....:)

Cheers
Stig

PS: Your typical British comments always me feel pretty good...:) :)

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Sorry, I don't drink any wine....

Gianandrea :o

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Stig & Gianandrea

No offence Gianandrea but I will forsake the sun if I have to bring my own bottle, and will share Stig's wine (home brew?) in his cave. Hey, Stig, any Troll women round your way?

Gianandrea (and perhaps Ludovico) have you any additional details about the four SM79s that FTR on 5 April 1943? Crew identities? Fates? Aircraft serials? I am hoping to find more from 253 Squadron's ORB about this action (assuming it's pilots were responsible for the demise of the SM79s), and plan to include this in a future project.

Cheers
Brian

Re: One for our Italian experts!
 

Sorry, I've not got any addictional detail.
I could eventually search for them when I'll go to the It.AF Historical Office.

Gianandrea

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.