3./NJG 2 Ju 88 Malta 12 May 1942

[Brian Bines]

As regards the SM 84 the crash location in 'Battle Over Malta losses 1940-42 ' is given as in a garden at Tal-Pitkal near Dingli Malta. Four crew baling out . the body of one thrown dead from the crash and one dead in the wreckage . It was claimed the parachutists were buzzed by a pilot of 185 Sqd . to collapse the canopies which opened again after a short drop. After another pilot saw three of them come down in the sea and make it to a ledge at the foot of a cliff . One report said they were picked by a launch and another that rocks had been dropped on them and they were killed . From the Italian Prisoner of War-WWII list ( MALTA FAMILY HISTORY) the crew were Sc.Ten Vinicio Vego , Serg.Eugenio Rivolta + body recovered from sea , Pr.Avi. Gustavo Petrai , Pr.Avi Luigi Conte , Avi.Sce Sergio Orsingher , Avi.Sce Francesco Carabellse + body thown from crash . The Malta list does not show the fate of four of the crew as to whether the picked up by launch or if they were killed which might mean they were prisoners. Is there any info. from a 'K' or book confirming the crew names and fate ?