Blemheim loss, 39 Sqdn, 29/06/1940, East Africa

[Ludovico Slongo]

No idea on which source is the more reliable, but Corrado Ricci and Christopher Shores in their "La guerra aerea in Africa orientale 1940-41" "Air war in Italian East Africa 1940-41" described the combat ad happened on June the 24th.
Four Blenheims of 39 Squadron and two of 11 Squadron attacked Dire Daua airfield in two vics of three. Sergente Maggiore Antonio Giardinà of 410 Squadriglia was already up in his CR 32Q and damaged a bomber that was also attacked by two additional CR 42s (perhaps of 413 Squadriglia) that had scrambled in the meantime. The plane was seen loosing height but was not seen to fall.
The plane was in fact obliged to force-land in British Somaliland later because of the damage suffered and was found there by a British Army patrol. The pilot was wounded and the gunner was missing. The information is contained also in "Dust clouds in the middle east" the updated edition of this book written by Shores in 1996. BTW Ricci was the CO of Giardinà and witnessed the combat from land.
Ciao

Ludovico