Italian fighters flew to Russia 1941-1943 (C.S.I.R.)

[Dénes Bernád]

Hello Manlio,

I was actually referring to accidents/incidents on Rumanian/Bessarabian/Trans-Dnestra airfields, in Aug.-Oct. 1941.

There must have been a few incidents, as I have the following info (original data from a book manuscript under final work):
Aug. 16: "An Italian “Caproni No. 311” (probably a twin-engine Ca.311 transport) turned over on landing at Bucharest-Otopeni airfield. The three-man crew of Lt. Lulli (pilot) Lt. Cei (observer) and Serg. Pessiona (radio operator) escaped unhurt. The aircraft was reported to have been operated by the “Italian Operations Group for Rumania”.

Aug. 27: "An interesting incident resulted from the participation of Italian volunteer fighter pilot, Capt. Carlo Maurizio Ruspoli. He took-off from Tudora airfield to accompany Gr. 7 vân. Bf 109Es on a combat sortie. Over hostile territory he engaged Soviet fighters and reportedly claimed two of them. But his Macchi MC.200 (No. 81-12, formerly operated by 81a Squadriglia of Gruppo 6) was hit and he had to belly-land in friendly territory near Kamenskoye."

Sept. 2: "An Italian airman, Serg. magg. Sebastiano Petrucci of the 119th Air Observation Squadron, was killed in an accident[1] at Botoşani, Rumania. He was buried in the Italian Military Cemetery in the Ghencea district of Bucharest."

Sept. 4: "Michele Gatti, an Italian airman serving with the 128th Observation Squadron, was killed at Tudora[1], Rumania in unknown circumstances."

[1] This Italian air unit arrived to the front zone, to Krivoi Rog, also only on 25 September. By then, it stationed in Rumania, at Tudora airfield.

Could you investigate these incidents, please?


Grazie,