One for our Italian friends.
I have the following in my files:
The Furies of 1 Squadron SAAF saw action at Wajir airfield when an Italian Caproni Ca.133 bomber from 8a Squadriglia, 25o Gruppo, approached the airfield on reconnaissance on 3 August 1940. Three Hawker Furies were ordered off. Lieutenant Pannell’s Fury ‘206’ failed to start but the other two, with Flight Lieutenant Robert Blake (Fury ‘203’) and Lieutenant Rushmere (Fury ‘205’) both almost naked as they had been sunbathing, scrambled and attacked the Italian aircraft. Almost at once Rushmere’s guns failed, but Blake made a number of frontal attacks, firing a long burst into the cockpit, whereupon the Capitano piloting the aircraft attempted to land, but crashed in the bush seven miles from Wajir, the aircraft bursting into flames. All the crew perished apart the pilot, who was pulled out by rescuers. Badly burned and injured in the crash, he gallantly attempted to rescue his crew, but was forced back by the flames and died later. It was considered that Rushmere’s burst of fire had hit home before his guns failed, and this victory was therefore credited to him and Blake jointly.
Source:
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/fury_southafrica.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wajir
http://www.maplandia.com/kenya/n-eastern/wajir/
I would like to know the names of the Italian crew, especially the pilot. The aircraft serial will be a bonus.
Thanks in advance
Laurent