Italian seaplanes in June 1940
 

Hello,

I'm looking for info about few Italian seaplanes actions:

1. At night 20/21 June some Z.501 and S.79 bombed Bizerte area. How many seaplanes were send and lost?
From French claims I counted at least 5 attacking planes but two of them could be S.79 (two rows containing series of 8 and 9 bomb were found on the ground - too heavy bombload for Z.506).
Anyway French AA claim one seaplane shot down near Saint-Jean fort and another damaged (piece of construction, sort of hath, was raised from the sea). There is more detailed info from Italian sources about these planes (unit, crew loss)?

2. On 22 June French LeO 470 of E11 spotted C.506 seaplane floating along Italian submarine. French crew attacked the ship (missing target) but C.506 took of and escaped. Any further info about this C.506? Name of submarine will be also appreciated.

3. O 24 June about 18.00 a LeO 470 of E11 engaged in air combat with C.506. Probably there were no serious damages on both side. Anybody knows crew/unit of Italian seaplane was involved?

Re: Italian seaplanes in June 1940
 

Hi,

this is what i have:

20/21 june 1940 6 SM79 (36. Gruppo) e 4 Cant Z506 (35. Gruppo) attack Bizerte


Alessandro

Re: Italian seaplanes in June 1940
 

Thanks a lot. But how about losses?

Re: Italian seaplanes in June 1940
 

Hello,

Ludovico Slongo and mine "Desert Prelude: Early clashes" (http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/books.php?book_id=119) includes some info on this.
On 20/21 June, 190a Squadriglia B.M., 86o Gruppo B.M., arrived to Stagnone from Brindisi with its CANT Z.506s and started operation with a raid to Bizerta made with all its six combat ready aircraft. AA was extremely severe, the bomber of Maggiore Marini, the Gruppo commander was hit while Z.506 MM45254 went down for unknown reasons; Tenente De Lauzières de Themines Flotatd and his four crewmembers was killed.

Six SM 79s from the 36o Stormo attacked Bizerta during the night. AA seriously damaged Tenente Sacchetti’s bomber.

Unfortunately, I don't have any name on the sub on 22 June.

The Cant on 24 June, came from 199a Squadriglia. This was the last encounter of the campaign.

Best wishes/Håkan

Re: Italian seaplanes in June 1940
 

Very useful information. Many thanks.

Re: Italian seaplanes in June 1940
 

One more question:
On 13 June, at 14.30 French submarine "Archimede" was attacked by Italian airplane(s?). French sources suggest it could be an aircraft from BR.20 formation of 7.and 43. Stormo, which bombed Toulon at 11.30, but 3 hrs difference in time looks suspicious for me.
However I found out about two CZ.506 of 186 Squadriglia attacking surfaced submarine on that day. Have you more details, especially exact time and place of this attack?