Two Z.501 losses in November 1940

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

On 6 November 1940 two convoys sailed for Malta, one from Gibraltar and one from Alexandria, the later with codename MB.8. To provide cover for MB.8 directly and for the other vessels indirectly, four Mediterranean Fleet battleships, two cruisers, HMS Illustrious and thirteen destroyers put to sea. Because considerable aerial action was expected, the carrier also embarked two or three of HMS Eagle’s Sea Gladiators as reinforcements (at least N5513 and N5523) for 806 Squadron’s Fulmars on this occasion.

First action came on 8 November, and it was two of the Sea Gladiators that made the first “kill”. At 12:30, Lieutenant O. J. Roger Nicolls and Sub Lieutenant Jack Sewell caught and shot down a Cant Z.501 of the 186a Squadriglia RM. The Italian aircraft was flown by Tenente Paolo Primatesta (observer Sottotenente di Vascello Paolo Bacchione) and had left its base at Augusta at 09:00. Three of the crew were rescued by a Sunderland while Primatesta and the engineer Salvatore Calafiore died.

At 12:20 on 10 November, a Z.501 from the 144a Squadriglia RM at Stagnone (pilot Sottotenente Alfio Ferri and observer Sottotenente di Vascello Umberto Gabrielli) was shot down by Lieutenant Barnes and Sub Lieutenant Sewell, after chasing it down from 4,000 feet to sea level. It was then strafed.

I will be interested by the full crew lists for these two aircraft, and the fate of the second crew.

Thanks in advance

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

I too will be interested in any response as I am currently compiling an operational history of 806 Squadron for a forthcoming book "806 AHOY!"

Should any members have interesting anecdotes etc they may care in contribute, please let me know.

Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

According to "Quarant'anni due idroscali - Augusta, Siracusa e l'aviazione" by the late Tullio Marcon, the three crewmembers of the CZ.501 MM 35466 of the 186a Sq. rescued by the Sunderland were guardiamarina osservatore Paolo Bacchione, sergente pilota Edmondo Bianco and 1° Aviere R.T. Raffaele Grazioso.

Gianandrea

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Gianandrea

Could you please check this book to see if the rank of Salvatore Calafiore is listed ?

[Gianandrea Bussi]

Calafiore was Aviere Scelto Motorista.

Ciao

Gianandrea

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks again Gianandrea

[Brian]

Hi Gianandrea

Regarding the rescue by Sunderland of the 186a Squadriglia crew, is there an Italian account of their ordeal in the sea? How long were they in their dinghy before rescue?

Cheers
Brian

[Gianandrea Bussi]

According to the mentioned source, the CANT crashed near the enemy ships whose sailors could see the three cremembers leaving the wreck and the lifeboat that didn't stay afloat. Luckily, a Sunderland was flying in that area and his pilot decided to land even though sea was rough, rescuing the airmen.

So, I think that the italian personnel stayed in see for a short period.

Gianandrea

[Brian]

Many thanks, my friend.

Cheers
Brian

[Orwell1984]

I think this article describes the November 8th incident:
Barrier Miner (paper) NSW Nov 20 1940

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/48365420

WELL TREATED
ITALIANS
LONDON, November 18.-An R.A.F. Sunderland Flying boat came down on the sea in a nasty swell recently to rescue three of the crew of an Italian flying boat which had been shot down. Two Italians were drowned, but a naval sub-lieutenant, a sergeant-major, and a wireless operator scrambled into a collapsible dinghy, which quickly developed a leak. A rope was thrown to the Italians from the Sunderland, and they were hauled on board and given hot food and dry clothes.
When landed the prisoners expressed gratitude for the chivalrous manner in which they had been treated. The officer said they had seen for themselves the truth of the frequent statement that the British treated prisoners well. Referring to the destruction of his aircraft, he said: "It was all so sudden. The British machine gun fire was overwhelming."

Unfortunately no further details on the Sunderland Squadron