Italian Airforce 1 Nov 1940

[alcluith]

The following report was posted by the intelligent officer of the 46 Sqn on the 1 Nov 1940.

P/O Young (green 2) searching the rear of the squadron at 20,000ft when over the Deal-Dover area sighted 5 aircraft flying in a S.E. direction and sent this information on the R.T to Red Leader. A minute later he sighted three others flying in the same direction in a loose "vic" formation. This information he also conveyed to Red Leader, but neither of these reports were clearly received or understood by Red Leader.

P/O Young broke away and chased a three engine aircraft flying at 12,000ft 20miles to sea off Deal, succeeding in disabling the port engine. However the aircraft was able to continue it journey on the other two engines. No return fire was experienced from the aircraft attacked but cross fire from the other two aircraft in this formation was very inaccurate.

The enemy aircraft were obviously Italian and after studying the features described by P/O Young they would appear to have been Savioa Marchettis. Roundels were seen on the fuselage and wings.

From Foreman's Forgotten Months it is confirmed that Regia Aeronautica had been operating over Britain that afternoon and I am wondering if anyone has fany more information on the aircraft damaged, as I assume it would have been noted in their combat reports.

alcluith

[Brian Bines]

Hi,

Try this site http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_bob.htm it covers the raids,

Regards

Brian Bines

[alcluith]

Brian

thank you for your reply, I knew about this site, but this confirms as it says in the book, "no combat was recorded".
If, in fact, the aircraft was damaged, with loss of port engine, the incident would be recorded on their return to base , and as the other two aircraft are reported to have returned fire this would have also been recorded. I was hoping that someone out there may have had some more details from their operational records.

alcluith

[timothy]

Glad we had intelligent officers - worth their weight in gold!

Wrong day for me - 11 November was the day we saw them below us while on wing patrol from Wittering. Shame!

= Tim

[Håkan]

Hello,

A very strange report indeed since the Italians wasn't operating any Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 in this area. They were only flying Fiat BR.20 bombers (twin-engined).
However they were flying Cant Z.1007bis in the 179a Squadriglia for reconnaissance but it seems strange with three in formation (and with no fighter escort).
Still the Italian units didn't report any combat (and no damage) as far as I have found.

Best wishes/Håkan