One for our Italian friends?

[Brian]

Hi guys

I am endeavouring to establish details of the following Italian aircraft:

15/2/43 Z501 forced down by Hurricanes and captured

5/4/43 Four SM79s of 205 Squadriglia shot down by Hurricanes. One was flown by Cap Brambilla, but what about the others?

7/4/44 SM82 shot down by Spitfires - possibly Co-Belligerent.

Cheers
Brian

[CENTURION]

Hello Brian,

the Cant Z-501 forced down by Hurricanes in front of the Algerian coast was of the 182° Squadriglia Ricognizione Marittima.
(source: "L'idroaviazione italiana nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale" Tullio Marcon, RID - Rivista Italiana Difesa, February 1985)


Best of Luck
Marco

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Brian,
The action of 5th April 1943 do interest me quite a lot ( Brambrilla ). May I ask you if you do have more information about the RAF Unit and pilots that claimed those four SM-79? Many thanks
Adriano

[Brian]

Hi Marco

Many thanks - any information on crew identities?

Hi Adriano

This action still being investigated but the Hurricanes were from 253 Squadron.

Cheers
Brian

PS: Are you aware of Gfr Heinrich Baumgartner of I/LG1 (1941) and Fw Wilhelm Baumgartner of 9./JG77 (also 1941)?

[CENTURION]

Hello Brian.

Sorry, I don't have more info.

In the article mentioned in my reply, they listed all plane losses, but not crew names.
I noticed the same author wrote the book "Gli Osservatori della Regia Marina nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale", Mursia 1978 that may include the crew names.
Unfortunately I don't have it.


Regards
Marco

[Gianandrea Bussi]

In the book mentioned by Centurion, written by the late Tullio Marcon, I read that pilot was S.Ten. Giuseppe Tisci and Observer was GM Guido Mario Locatelli. No other name is reported.

About the 4 S.79 lead by Brambilla, I've already answered to you in a previous thread.

Best regards

Gianandrea

[Gianandrea Bussi]

According to the book written by Generale Roberto Crespi, former member of the 41° Gruppo, book published a few months ago, the following Tenenti went missing in the mission lead by Brambilla:
Zagnoli
Majani
Giarletta (probably, Giuseppe Giarletta, of the Sparviero course of the Air Force Accademy)
Di Pasquale (perhaps, Antonino Di Pasquale, of the Turbine of the Air Force Accademy).

Gianandrea

[Brian]

Thanks Marco

Thanks Gianandrea

I know that this has been discussed before but we hadn't progressed on aircrew identities for the SM79s. You have now kindly provided additional information. Hopefully more will come to light.

Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Di Pasquale was S.Ten. Alfonso Di Pasquale (and not Ten. Antonino Di Pasquale), as correctly stated in the previous thread.

Gianandrea