SIAI S.75 lost on 24.12.1940

[Stig Jarlevik]

All

On Christmas Eve 1940 I-LIGO (at that time probably having an unknown MM number) was reported shot down on its way from Catania to Rome-Ciampino.

I can't find any reference to this in any of my books about the Med air war.

Anyone on these pages who knows more?

B Rgds
Stig

[Gianandrea Bussi]

I-LIGO, coded 601-4, disappeared during a flight from Catania Fontanarossa to Ciampino. She sent a SOS message at 11.21 when she was 40 nautical miles S-W of Capri, probably s/d by british bombers in action over Napoli that claimed an "italian bomber". All the cremembers perished.

But perhaps you already know what I've written....

ciao

Gianandrea

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Gianandrea

However I fail to understand your last point...

Cheers
Stig

[Laurent Rizzotti]

According to the book "Malta the Hurricane Year", on 24 December 1940, a Maryland of 431 Flight RAF flown by Flg Off Warburton made a reconnaissance over Naples and met over the Bay of Naples a S.79 "with brown mottled camouflage". It was shot down in flames in the sea.

[Stig Jarlevik]

That was interesting Laurent (thanks

Checked that book again, and now I see that this is all written under 29/12.
So much for Christmas Eve....

Cheers
Stig

[Laurent Rizzotti]

The chapter is titles 29/12/40, but in the text body it is written "on Christmas Eve".

Such differences are not uncommon in old Shores books (Fledging Eagles, Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete, Malta the Hurricane Years).

[Stig Jarlevik]

Indeed

Since I can't recall any X-mas Eve happening on the 29th I have changed that 'chapter' to 24/12 instead...., so I wont miss it again!

Cheers
Stig

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Stig,
I meant that you are looking for RAF claims and not for details from the italian side, that you probably already know...

ciao

Gianandrea

[Stig Jarlevik]

Ahh, sorry

Yes indeed I am looking for further details about these losses (not the Italian details). See also some further requests of mine.

Cheers
Stig

[AndreasB]

The incident is described in detail in Brian Cull's 'Marylands over Malta'. He identifies the plane as belonging to 601 Squadriglia, 147 Gruppo, with the CO of the Gruppo being killed.

All the best

Andreas