SM79s Med 1940 - for our Italian friends

[Brian]

Hi guys

1) Following clashes with FAA aircraft on 2 September 1940, apparently two SM79s of 235Sqd were shot down and a third damaged (returned with one fatality).

Has anyone information on crews etc, please?

2) On 4 September 1940, apparently three SM79 of 210Sqd returned seriously damaged with a total of 2 dead and 5 wounded on board.

Has anyone information on crews etc, please?

3) On 1 October 1940 apparently a Z.501 or 506B was shot down; one of the crew may have been A. Girandola. Any information, please?

4) On 29 September 1940, Maggiore Nicola Covarcovich was shot down and killed. Was he CO of 143Sqd RM? What was his background?

Cheers
Brian

[James A Pratt III]

The book "Malta the Hurricane Years 1940-1941" should have accounts of these combats

[Brian]

Thanks James

I am the co-author of that book!

Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

1) 2 september 1940, 41° Stormo B.T.: 9 S.79 from 59° Gruppo lead by Ten. Col. Draghelli and 10 from 60° Gruppo lead by Ten. Col. D'Ippolito attacked in two separated actions enemy ships south of Malta.
Four enemy plane were claimed s/d, three S.79 were lost plus some other damaged, one of them being that one of S.Ten. Ferdinando Trolla (born in Hurley, WI, U.S.A.), that landed on its bell at the homebase at Gela badly damaged, with a crewmember dying and another one badly wounded.

From the flight logbook of Ten. Col. Pasquale D'Ippolito I see that the formation he lead was attacked by an "Hawker Hurricane". T/o 17.15, landing 19.15. Other officer on board of his S.79 were Ten. Ghedini and Ten. Pergoli.

2) 210a Sq. operated CZ.1007bis and, AFAIK, was training with this bomber in september 1940.

4) Maggiore Nicola Covacovich (not Covarcovich) is quoted as belonging to the 143a Sq. RM in the casualties list held at the italian AF Historical Office in Rome (compiled by Onorcaduti and not completely reliable).
Usually a Squadriglia was commanded by a Capitano (perhaps was the seaplane base commander attached to the 143 Sq.?). Born in 1905, he was a member of the Corso Drago of the Regia Accademia Aeronautica and almost all his career was with seaplanes: Stormo Misto Egeo, cruiser Bolzano, 86° Gruppo Autonomo, Regia Nave Miraglia, 83° Gruppo Autonomo, 84° Gruppo Autonomo.

Hope this helps

Gianandrea

[Brian]

Many thanks, Gianandrea

Good to hear from you again.

Regarding the 4 September 1940 action, obviously 210Sqn was not involved. Any idea which unit was and its losses?

I should have written 201Sqd

Cheers

Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Brian, perhaps the answer to your question number two is the following one:

On 4 september, formations of S.79 from 34° and 92° Gruppo B.T. took off from Gadurrà airport (Rhodos) in order to attack british warship. They were attacked by aircraft carrier based "Hurricanes" with the following casualties:

a bomber from 200a Sq. (92° Gruppo) came back with Serg. Magg. Pil. Umberto Massari dead;

another one from 67a Sq. (34° Gruppo) came back with 1° Av. Marc. Guido Rebonato dead.

Both dead airmen acted as gunner when hit.

One S.79 of 201a Sq. (92° Gruppo) was missing with the whole crew:
Ten. Pil. Nicola Dall'Olio, S.Ten. Pil. Giuseppe Gaggi, 1° Av. Mot. Giovanni Gambin, 1° Av. Arm. Giuseppe Ranucci, 1° Av. Marc. Giuseppe Agnelli, Av. Sc. Aiut. Fot. Adelmo Vaccondio.

Following personnel of 201a was wounded: Cap. Pil. Costante Lazzarini (Squadriglia commander), Serg. Magg. Pil. Antonio De Rosa, Serg. Magg. Arm. Dario Pioli, 1° Av. Marc. Edoardo La Pietra, 1° Av. Mot. Carlo Casarini.

On another S.79 of 67a Sq. 1° Av. Fot. Tolmino Latini was wounded.

About question number three: in which area of the Mediterranean sea happened the combat?

ciao

Gianandrea