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Old 19th July 2016, 15:23
pierre21 pierre21 is offline
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A rare SM81 "pipistrello" shot down in 1941

On the night of 25 February 1941, a British commando unit invaded the island of Kastellorizo, held at the time by Italians.

At 11:25 of the next morning, 4 SM81 "Pipistrello" bombers of 223a Squadriglia took off from Cattavia air base in Rodos Island, in order to bomb the commando and to provide air support to the Italian garrison.

At 12:00 a lone SM81 took off from the same air base to check the results of the bombing.

As it was flying at a very low altitude it was hit by ground fire and was forced to ditch at sea, just 1 mile west of Kastellorizo.

The plane was coded 223-4 - m.m. 20452 or 20492.
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