Italian BR20 crew lost 20/21 November 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

The crew of a BR20 of 13 Stormo lost on a night raid (20/21 November) against England were Paoli, Rildani, Lesignoli, Brunetti and Giampieretti.

Can anyone provide their first names? Was the BR20 shot down by a German nightfighter?

Cheers
Brian

[Håkan]

Hello Brian,

Actually I think five were lost with MM22257. I have:
Sergio Paoli
Gino Rildani
E. Lesignoli
A. Brunetti
Raffaele Giampieretti
The bodies of Tenente S. Paoli and Sergente C. Rildani were washed ashore at Wassenaar, without ‘chutes but with lifejackets. The remainder of the crew, Avieri E. Lesignoli, A. Brunetti and R. Giampieretti were reported missing.

Best wishes/Håkan

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Tenente Pilota Sergio Paoli
Sottotenente Pilota Umberto Fonda
Sergente Maggiore Pilota Gino Rildani
1° Aviere Marconista Amelio Brunetti
1° Aviere Motorista Erasmo Lesignoli
1° Aviere Armiere Raffaele Giampieretti

The cause of the loss is unknown.

Gianandrea

[Håkan]

Thanks Gianandrea for your additional info. Fonda was new to me!

Best wishes/Håkan

[Brian]

Thanks guys

I have read somewhere that the crew radioed that the BR20 had been attacked by a night fighter - no RAF claim as far as I can establish.

Cheers
Brian

[Jan.Safarik]

Tenente Sergio Paoli (*1915, Florence)
Sotto-Tenente Umberto Fonda (*1918, Pola, Croatia)
Erasmo Lesignoli (*1917, Reggio Emilia)
1e Aviere Amelio Brunetti (*1918, Granaglio,Bologna)
1e Aviere Raffaele Giampieretti (*1917, Iesi, Ancona)

JAN