Z1007 88 Gruppo lost April 1944

[Brian]

Hi guys

I note that a Z1007 of 88 Gruppo was reported lost on 3 April 1944. Might this be a date error and that the aircraft wasactually lost on 7 April 1944?

I have a note that 253 Squadron claimed an 'SM82' on this latter date but cannot find a loss!

Any ideas?

Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

88° Gruppo lost a CZ.1007 on 3 april 1944 due to Bf.109 attack. No losses on 7 april (source: "Gli attuali reparti A.M. della Aviazione per la Marina", It. AF Historical Office, 1972

ciao

Gianandrea

[Brian]

Hi Gianandrea

Good to hear from you.

OK, but did a Co-Belligerent unit lose an SM79 or SM82 on 7 April?

Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

I'fe found no losses of italian transport aircraft on 7 april in the books I've got at hands. I think that a loss due to RAF fire would not have been missed by the italian historian who wrote about that period.

The combat happened over the Balkans?

Gianandrea

[Brian]

Hi Gianandrea


253 Squadron was operating from Corsica at the time.

Any help?


Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

It.Air Force (the so called cobelligerant AF) operated only above the Balkans (plus transport and ferry flight to Sardinia). The claim was over the sea? Near the italian mainland?

Gianandrea

[Brian]

Hi Gianandrea

This is what I have:

In addi­tion to escorting the US medium bombers, 253 also covered Spitfire fighter-bomber attacks on shipping, road and rail targets. Another air victory was claimed on 7 April, but this turned out to be an Italian Co-Belligerent SM82. Two sections of Spitfires led by Flg Off J.J.L. Houle RCAF and Flg Off H.J. Wilks were patrolling in company with others from the 52ndFG, when the SM82 was spotted. Nab Stening wrote:

‘Six of us on a coastal patrol encountered an Italian bomber, an SM82. We attacked one after another. I was third and by this time the gunner had stopped firing and one engine was on fire. As I fired, I saw pieces fly off the aircraft and another engine was on fire. After the fifth Spitfire attacked, the aircraft hit the sea with a great splash and the sixth Spitfire [Sgt HD Tuffnell] didn’t get a shot at it.’

So I assume off the Italian coast?

[Gianandrea Bussi]

I've never heard of this episode.
The MM list (not complete) of SM.79/82 contained in the book "Coccarde Tricolori" don't contain any loss on that day.

If I'll find something I'll let you know.

Gianandrea

[Brian]

Thanks Gianandrea

Very strange! Many witnesses!! Apparently the accompanying US pilots of the 52ndFG had spotted the aircraft's markings, so did not attack.

'Something' fell into the sea!

Cheers
Brian

[pelagonia]

What if it was a German or even a Trabucchi or Terracciano aircraft? Both Germans and Fascist Italians (Areonautica Nazionale Repubblican) were using the SM82.