One for our Italian members!

[BrianC]

Hi guys

I have an account of a Blenheim from Malta landing at Catania in early 1943, its mission to take photographs of newly-arrived glider containers at the side of the aerodrome. Mission completed, it was able to take off under fire and though pursued by a couple of Bf109s, was able to reach Malta.

Can anyone provide additional information, please? Fact or fiction?

Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Unluckily the last quarterly report of the Catania airport ("relazioni trimestrali") is that one of december 1942. An indeep research in the Comando Aeronautica Sicilia papers at the Historical Archive of the Italian Air Force should be done in order to answerr to your question.

Gianandrea

[BrianC]

Hi Gianandrea

Good to hear from you once again.

Is it feasible to send an e-mail request to the Historical Archive? If so, do you have an address, please?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

I have a feeling that Gianandrea's "in deep research" might suggest quite a bit of time, money and effort even if the answer is there!

[BrianC]

Thanks, Chris

That thought had gone through my mind!

Cheers
Brian

[Nick Beale]

What about trying National Archives AIR 24/909: AHQ Malta, ORBs with appendices (Sep 1942–Jun 1943)?

[BrianC]

Thanks. Nick

Sadly, I'm unable to get to TNA these days and dread to think how much it would cost to order a copy of the said ORB!

I will however keep digging!

Cheers
Brian