[Daniele Gatti]

On July 21, the artillery of the CTV prepared, in massive way, the field to their infantry and mechanized units to marching along the right bank of the Río Palancia, between Jérica and Viver; Aviazione Legionaria - also - did not give truce by releasing tons of bombs along the entire front. At 6:35 the "Squadriglia Autonoma Caccia e Mitragliamento" (SACM) took off from Teruel with eight CR.32, including that of sergente Giovanni Spilzi, to escort Ro.37bis of the I Brigada Aérea Hispana in action on the front of El Toro. Once in sight of the objective Fiat sighted a dozen I-16 in flight who promptly attacked. After the short dogfight (no claims) the CR.32s began returning to the base, but at 8:05 the Spilzi's plane (NC 623) gradually began to break away from the formation giving the impression of having engine problems. In fact the young, introverted and religious Italian pilot, perhaps disturbed by the combat with the enemy, and probably with CR.32 slightly damaged, reversed course heading towards the Republican base in Valencia where he landed shortly after. Spilzi immediately proved cooperative with authorities of Aviación Republicana putting at their disposal and assuming afterwards the cover name of "Julian Arrigo Echea". In the area there were also 26 CR.32 of XXIII Gruppo of maggiore Armando François but did not participate in the short fight (or saw it) that involved the SACM, as they were escorting some S.81 in action on Viver.

Regards, Daniele.