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    World War 2 Fighter Aces

    the man in my avatar

    ---



    Ernessto Botto was born in Turin on 8 November 1907 and entered the Air Force Academy in 1929. He received his pilot license in 1932 and his military pilot license in 1933.

    He was assigned to the 1o Stormo C.T. in 1933 and was transferred to the 53o Stormo C.T. in 1936. He then served in the Reparto Alta Velocità (High Speed Unit) before being assigned to the 4o Stormo in 1937.

    During his time in the 4o Stormo he was commander of the 84a Squadriglia.

    He volunteered for service in the Spanish Civil War in April 1937, leaving the command of the 84a Squadriglia to Paolo Arcangeletti.

    Capitano Botto arrived in Spain in April 1937 together with VIo Gruppo (Squadriglie 31a and 32a), under the command of Maggiore Leotta. Botto was at this time commanding officer of 32a Squadriglia.

    He flew his first operational sortie on 8 May when they escorted a section of Nationalist Ro.37bis.

    Until 5 June 32a Squadriglia was employed for interdiction and escort duties.

    On 12 June they were transferred to Soria and on 5 July they moved on to Villarcayo.

    The first battle with Republican fighters came on 16 July when 32a Squadriglia scrambled from Villarcayo to intercept some Ratas of 2a/Gr. 21. Three I-16s were claimed Botto jointly with his pilots.

    On 6 August a group of Chatos and Ratas attacked two Ro.37bis at 2000 meters over Torrelavega.
    They were surprised by VIo Gruppo, which was escorting the Ro.37bis and flying at 4000 meters. Sergente Gaetano Bortolini claimed an I-16, which was pursuing another Fiat. Meanwhile, Capitano Botto manoeuvred himself into a 6 o’clock position of a Chato. He shot it down and it dived into the ground.
    VIo Gruppo claimed eight Rata and a single Chato without any losses.

    During the Santander offensive on 14 August VIo Gruppo performed many escort missions. Botto flew up to five missions per day.

    On 22 August while flying an escort mission over Ontaneda Botto claimed two Chatos in a few minutes.

    The next day on 23 August he claimed two shared I-15s together with four other pilots from VIo Gruppo.

    On 28 August VIo Gruppo was transferred from Villarcayo to Alfamèn.
    The following days Botto flew three escort missions.

    On 1 September nine CR.32s from 32a Squadriglia chased a mixed squadron of Polikarpovs and claimed two Chatos and two Ratas. On of the I-16s were claimed by Botto.
    Republicans admitted only a Chato lost.

    On 12 October ten CR.32s of 31a Squadriglia (Capitano Ugo Borgogno) were patrolling at 3500 m over Fuentes del Ebro while eight more from 32a Squadriglia led by Botto, did the same at 5000 meters. The two Squadriglie were dived into four flights and the other two flights were led by Tenente Oscar Molinari and Tenente Alessio Neri. They had taken off from Zaragoza at 08.00 in the morning.
    Over Mediana Borgogno spotted nine SB-2s escorted by twenty-five Polikarpovs; I-15s near the Tupolevs and I-16s at a higher altitude. A young and inexperienced pilot from 31a Squadriglia started the attack too early, thus putting the entire Squadriglia in disadvantage and exposing it to the attack of Ratas. Botto together with the rest of 32a Squadriglia climbed to the Ratas.
    In the ensuing combat Botto claimed one I-16 and the others were dispersed. However, during the combat an explosive bullet hit him in the right thighbone. He nevertheless managed to reach Sanjurjo and land but the limb was to be amputated. In the combat Paolo Arcangeletti claimed two additional I-16s.
    Totally five CR.32s were lost down in this combat. Sottotenente Francis Leoncini and Sergente Maggiore Ugo Corsi collided in flight and Corsi was captured and taken POW. Tenente Neri (captured and shot) and Sergente Giuseppe Rigolli (killed) was shot down and Sottotenente Roberto Boschetto was forced to crash-land in enemy territory.
    Botto, Neri and Rigolli were decorated with the Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare (Italy's highest military award) after this combat, the last two of them posthumously.

    However his amputation didn’t prevent him to serve again and all his squadron mates nicknamed him ‘Gamba di Ferro’ (Iron Leg) after his artificial leg. A badge was created by Sergente Maggiore Bruno Benassi and adopted by the whole VIo Gruppo depicting an iron leg over an axe.

    In the Regia Aeronautica Capitano Botto's insignia was later adopted by the 96a Squadriglia of 4o Stormo and, later on in the ANR (which Botto, risen to the rank of Tenente Colonello, virtually created by emanating a call to arms to all the Italian pilots that caused the adhesion of many), the insignia was adopted by the 3a Squadriglia of IIo Gruppo Caccia.

    Botto returned from Spain in May 1938. He claimed 5 biplane victories during this conflict and 16 shared.



    The original "Gamba di Ferro" cloth badge applied on the flying uniform of ANR's 3a Squadriglia, IIo Gruppo Caccia pilots. © Archive D'Amico-Valentini
    Photo kindly via Ferdinando D'Amico.

    After his return from Spain he served as commander of the 73a Squadriglia of the 4o Stormo C.T.

    Maggiore Botto was Gruppo Commander of 9o Gruppo when the unit arrived to Sicily in the beginning of July 1940 to fly missions in the assault on Malta.

    The first Italian fighter claim for an aircraft shot down over Malta was made by Botto during the morning of 3 July 1940. Two S.79s approached the island on reconnaissance, escorted by nine CR.42s, three each from 73a, 96a and 97a Squadriglias, led by the Gruppo Commander, Maggiore Ernesto Botto. Flying Officer John Waters flying one of the new Hurricanes (P2614), attacked the pair of bombers, which were from the 259a Squadriglia, 109o Gruppo, 36o Stormo B.T., which unit had just arrived in Sicily. The fire from the Hurricane’s eight guns proved devastating and the bomber fell into the sea five miles from Kalafrana, breaking up as it went. Tenente Mario Squario’s crew of five baled out, but none were ever found. This was the first victory for Hurricanes over Malta. As Waters returned to land, he was set upon by the CR.42s and his aircraft was badly shot up. As a result he crashed on landing and the aircraft was written off, although Waters survived unhurt. Maggiore Botto was personally credited with the victory (initially this claim was recorded as a ‘Spitfire’).

    On the 12th July the 9o Gruppo C.T. was ordered to fly on to Libya, to operate in the desert.



    Photo taken of Ernesto Botto flying a 73a Squadriglia CR.42 over North Africa during the return from a mission.
    Image kindly provided by Fulvio Chianese at GORIZIA ed il QUARTO STORMO.
    During a routine armed reconnaissance patrol along the Allied frontline on the evening of 12 October, Giulio Reiner accompanied his gruppo commander, Botto.
    Having completed an uneventful patrol, the two pilots were approaching their El Adem base when they spotted three Blenheims preparing to bomb the airfield. They immediately attacked. Following a long and drawn-out encounter, Reiner was credited with two bombers destroyed and Botto one.
    This was three Blenheims from 55 Squadron, which had taken off loaded with small bombs at 16:15 from Fuka Main (LG 17), Egypt to bomb Italian aircraft on El Adem (LG 144), Libya. The formation made out to sea and climbed to a height of about 18,000 ft, reached a point about 30 miles North of Tobruk, when a turn on the target was made. At 17:50 the attack was carried out from a height of 9,000ft (rather too early, as the sun was still up). During the run on, the formation was attacked by three CR.42s. Bombs fell in the target area and bursts were seen among the aircraft on the north side of the aerodrome. The Italian fighters persisted in their attack, firing .5” tracer from about 800 yds and closing in to fire their small caliber guns. The British formation took evasive action but unfortunately split up. No. 2 (Blenheim L1538) flown by Flying Officer K. D. Potter (RAF no. 72454) was unable to keep up with the leader. No. 3 (Blenheim L8530) flown by Pilot Officer M. S. Singleton (RAF no. 41482) was hit in the starboard engine, the fuselage was riddled, wireless and intercommunication unusable, both rudder control badly damage, the tail-wheel shot through and the rudder trim gear also unusable. Although the Blenheim was badly damaged the pilot managed to return to base. The Blenheim was categorized as Damaged Beyond Repair. The observer Sergeant B. J Fox (RAF no. 544933) and the wireless operator/air gunner Sergeant I. Brownrigg (RAF (VR) no. 751215) escaped uninjured.
    The leader, (Blenheim L6659) flown by Flying Officer G. E. P. Green (RAF no. 39517) made for the coast near Ras el Miln and the fighter following him continued the engagement for about 10 minutes before breaking off the attack. This aircraft then continued to base by its self, badly hit. Green was wounded under his right arm - a flesh wound, and the observer, Flight Sergeant W. H. Weller (RAF no. 747800) was slightly hurt by shrapnel. The undercarriage was damaged and the turret and W/T set were both rendered U/S. This aircraft was fired on by shore defences at Mersa Matruh but no further damage was done and it landed on it belly at base with the aid of the observer and the wireless operator/air gunner, Sergeant J. McGarry (RAF (VR) no. 537996). The pilot was awarded a DFC and the observer and gunner awarded mentions in despatches for the action. L6659 was finally lost with 70 OTU on 27 February 1942 in Kenya when it burst a tire on take-off and the undercarriage collapsed at Nakuru.
    . No. 2 aircraft when left by the formation dived to ground level and escaped. This Blenheim suffered only a few holes in the rudder. The observer Sergeant Duffy (RAF no. 517479) and the wireless operator/air gunner Sergeant B. Noble (RAF no. 545120) escaped uninjured. This aircraft was finally lost when it crashed in bad visibility near Fuka on 18 October 1940.

    In the afternoon on 9 December S.79s were out to bomb British troops at the Sidi el Barrani - Bir Enba area. They were to be escorted by nineteen CR.42s of 9o Gruppo led by Maggiore Botto. However the escort failed to rendezvous with the S.79s and Botto decided to patrol the front. 30 km south of Bir Enba they spotted some Gladiators at a lower level and dived on them, but suddenly the CR.42s were jumped by a reported two Squadrons of Hurricanes, attacking respectively 73a Squadriglia and 96a Squadriglia with 97a Squadriglia. A large dogfight started and many claims were submitted by the Italian pilots when they claimed eight shot down and three probables. At the end Botto, Sergente Enrico Dallari, Sergente Antonio Valle, Sergente Maggiore Otello Perotti and Sergente Angelo Golino claimed an enemy fighter each while Tenente Riccardo Vaccari, Sergente Maggiore Massimo Salvatore and Sergente Maggiore Guglielmo Biffani claimed one Hurricane each. Probables were claimed by Sottotenente Valerio De Campo, Giulio Reiner and Sergente Santo Gino. During the combat three Fiats were shot down but Sergente Nanin and Sergente Bogoni both survived while Sergente Maggiore Biffani baled out and was captured. Four other CR.42s carried out emergency landings (probably Viglione, Vaccari, Golino and a fourth unknown pilot). Three of these pilots were wounded, one of which turned over at the emergency landing and caught fire; the pilot (Tenente Vaccari) was badly burned. Another wounded pilot was Golino.
    It seems that they had clashed with 33 Squadron, which reported that they had been intercepted by three formations of CR.42s while ground strafing. The British pilots claimed three and reported another going down out of control. One of the Squadron’s Hurricanes had to force-land but the pilot was saved. Flying Officer Vernon Woodward shot down two of the Fiats, one of them in flames, and damaged another.
    The second squadron was probably 274, which reported meeting 27 CR.42s over the Sidi Barrani-Sofafi area. The Hurricane pilots reporting five confirmed victories and three probables for one Hurricane damaged. Victories were claimed by Flight Lieutenant Peter Wykeham-Barnes (plus one probable) (V7300), Squadron Leader Patrick Dunn (plus two probables) (P3723), Flying Officer T. L. Patterson (P3720), Flight Lieutenant Lapsley (V7293) and Flying Officer E. M. Mason (P3722).
    Totally the Italian authorities declared they had shot down 18 RAF machines (at least one Blenheim) but admitted that they had lost twelve during the day.

    That same day, after landing, Botto was involved in a car accident; he suffered a fracture at the base of the skull, but luckily again survived.

    After convalescence he received administrative work before being assigned as commander of the Fighter School as a Tenente Colonello.

    After the Italian surrender in September 1943 he virtually created the pro-German A.N.R. (Aeronautiva Nazionale Repubblicana) after that the Mussolini headed Repubblica Sociale Italiana (RSI) had been formed. He was however sacked from A.N.R. in March 1944.

    Botto ended the war with 8 biplane victories. 5 of these were claimed during the Spanish Civil War.


    During the war he was also decorated with the Medaglie d’argento.

    Ernesto Botto passed away on 11 December 1984.

    #2
    Ernesto Botto

    didn't know ure a nazi...
    Спасибо Вам, Георгий Константинович, за то, что спасли Россию! Вечная вам память!

    Comment


      #3
      oh please, we're more serious here than just calling each other names :roll:
      albireo написа
      ...в този форум... основно е пълно с теоретици, прогнили интелигенти и просто кръчмаро-кибици...

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by "Сержант Уханов"

        didn't know ure a nazi...
        ?? why would i be a nazi? why would ernesto botto be a nazi? just becuase he wanted to defend his homeland and contiune to fight alongside the germans instead of getting on his knees and kissing the british feet and begging for forgiveness? :?

        Comment


          #5
          Hi, gbotto. What's up? I'm glad to see u again. Nice avatar !! :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:
          Пишут нам много.... Погубит нас всеобщая грамотность.
          Неизвестен руски адмирал

          Comment


            #6
            @Gbot: well, as far as I understood this pilot fought during the Spanish Civil war. As a volunteer pilot. On the Fashist, general Franco's forces side. Ain't he a war criminal, boy?
            Спасибо Вам, Георгий Константинович, за то, что спасли Россию! Вечная вам память!

            Comment


              #7
              why would that make him a war criminal? he was just fighting for something he strongly beleived in, this was before fascism had any kind of negative condentation attached to it so i dont see anything wrong with it

              what about the communist pilots, surely they would be criminals aswell for fighting for brutal Stalin...

              Comment


                #8
                Hello and Wellcome!!!
                That's an interesting story you have posted.
                Нека Всевишний укрепи десницата на народа и войската, за да запази честта, правата и славата на Отечеството и на избраний от народа монарх. Да живее България!!!

                Comment


                  #9
                  and now there's me new avatar :twisted:
                  albireo написа
                  ...в този форум... основно е пълно с теоретици, прогнили интелигенти и просто кръчмаро-кибици...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I like the way Botto is wearing his hat So carelessly...
                    С вървене, ще изминеш пътя.
                    ---------------------------------------------
                    The Human Torpedos:

                    Nedelcho D. Bonchev (POW/K 5 Oct '44)
                    Dimiter Spissarevsky (KIA 20 Dec '43)

                    Salute!

                    ---------------------------------------------

                    Comment


                      #11
                      I invite everyone to write something about the WW2 Fighter aces of his country. I will start with the Bulgarian top Ace - Stojan Stojanov (the happy guy on my avatar). First some general information :

                      General Stoyan Stoyanov was born in the village of Galata , (nowadays a
                      part of Varna city) on the 12-th of March , 1913.Five months earlier his father, who was a flag bearer of the 8-th Sea- Regiment of Varna, was killed in the Balkan war in a battle against the turkish army near the town of Edirne near Istambul. Being a fatherless child (war orphan), he was accepted in an school for war-orphans in Varna.There he was a good student but being very poor child of a mother with 4 children he has had to sell newspapers in Varna to earn some petty cash. By finishing this school, he had the privilege to continue his secondary education in the national Seminary (in Sofia),where he entered in 1930. In 1934 he graduated from the Seminary and could join a higher army school for officers also in Sofia (where he could be granted again a full scholarship ).He passes with excellent results the examinations and became a cavalry officer .However he had now the chance to enter the Royal military academy in Sofia, where he was accepted in late 1934 for the aviator’s course (a dream of his childhood)In 1938 he has finished the higher school for fighter pilots and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. For very good results, shown in flying, he was sent for training abroad-in Germany, without any competition. In 1938 from July till September, he took part in a competition course for acrobatic flyingin the town of Koufboyren (Germany). He finished this course 15 days before the rest of his colleges -students and in September 1938 started a second course in the higher school for fighter pilots in Vernoyhen (near Berlin) together with 6 of his bulgarian colleges. In 1939 he finished this school incl. a course for flying on gliders. In Germany, he has trained his colleges - Ch. Toplodolsky and D. Spissarevsky (both became top aces later) for master flying . Stoyanov was trained to fly on different planes: Gota, Buker Besman, Stiglec, Fokke-Wulf, Arado-45 , Arado-68,Heinkel-51,
                      Stosser, Me-109-Dora, Me-109-Emil, Messerschmitt-Bf 109-(G2 and G6 ) and some others. In 1939 back home as instructor in the fighter pilot’s school in airfield Karlovo , he trained about 20 pilots to fly on Me-109 delivered to BRAF.
                      In 1939 he met Mina - a 18 years old girl , who lived in Karlovo ( just a few miles from the airfield )and he married her on the 11-th of August, 1940. From the second half of 1943 he was commander of 3/6 wing (air squadron) in the airfield of Karlovo town , equipped with Me-109 G2 and G6. Here he started his aerial WWII combats .For his first victory on August 1-st,1943 he was decorated with the Commanders medal for bravery personally by the bulgarian King Boris-III. A second medalfor bravery was given to him on the 24-th of June, 1944. His last aerial victory in the fight with USAAF was on the 26-th of Aug., 1944 In Sept.1944, he was promoted to captain. On 22. of November 1944, he got his third medal for bravery and was promoted to Air force major ,this time for his fighting results against the German ground forces in Macedonia and Kosovo.(Bulgaria joined the Allied Forces)In March 1945 Bulgaria received 120 Russian fighter planes Yak- 9M for the bulgarian Air force . He trained many new pilots to fly on them.


                      I will continue later with some interesting events and more details from his aerial battles over Sofia and other parts from Bulgaria. :tup:
                      20ти декември преди излитане, Спаич към техника си :
                      "Иване, сега кръв ще се лее!"

                      Comment


                        #12
                        World War 2 Fighter Aces

                        Stojanov's first air victory - August 1st, 1943 :

                        Somewhere over the town of Ferdinand (nowadays Montana) I spotted a flock of heavy airplanes who, like well-fed geese, were flying clumsily in the air, heading for the Southwest, opposite to the direction they had come from. They were coming back having completed a task. “Good luck!” I thought. “Yet, what if they are carrying undischarged load of bombs? And what if they don’t meet resistance and decide to turn south – to Sofia? Who will then forgive me that now, soaring above them, I’m letting fatal minutes slip by?”
                        My decision is firm: I’m rushing into attack…

                        I speeded up pressing down on the accelerator and began overtaking the flock of bombers. The clouds in front of us were growing thicker, helping the enemy to cover up. The sun had come quite low and I dashed towards it, making it impossible for the enemy’s look to follow me. Thus, I gained about ten kilometers advance, then swerved back and swept towards them from the direction of and at the same height as the sun. They were floating calmly in the air, not expecting such a bold assault careless of the established norms and tactical requirements for an attack.

                        I am not very religious although I have graduated from a seminary but, just in case, I crossed myself. Seconds later I reached the point, where I had to choose my target and locate it. I chose the machine in the middle, the leading one: flagman of the group. If I managed to put it out of action, I would probably prevent their wish to hit the capital.

                        The last seconds are slipping by… The flagman’s nose fills the sight – a glowing circle in front of my eyes. My fingers feel the weapons’ triggers and my palms become sweaty. I’m holding my breath and the pressure is burning me. I push the triggers of the weapon and of the machine- guns. I see the shells leaving fire traces and sinking into the glass nose of the bomber. They shoot in response. At this moment something like a magic game takes place: I hurl fireballs at the enemy, they reach the nose of his plane and come back to me. Some of them pass very near to my plane but do not touch it.

                        The whole thing takes only few seconds. In a second or two the winner will be determined. Tension grows to its highest point but I still cannot see any visible damages. I have to withdraw from the attack. But where ? How ? I’d better slide very closely over or under the heavy plane swooping down on me like a terrible monster. If I am even a second late it will crush me. I decided to pass about five meters over it, so that neither it, nor the other bombers could fire at me.

                        At that moment the outcome took place. The flagman I had damaged lowered its nose abruptly and with my last machine-gun and shell fire I cut it all along its length, from the nose to the rear. The giant sank down literally before the nose of my plane and passed from my view.

                        Immediately, I made use of the space it had freed among the bombers and, turning over on my wing, I slipped quickly down and aside. Fiery hail was gushing forth on me from the rest of the “fortresses”. I was waiting to be hit any moment and curled up in the cabin ready to jump with a parachute in case that happened and my plane went out of control. Thus, I flew down for several seconds. After that I swerved up toward the clouds and only when their fluffy saving arms embraced me, I could take a breath calmly and felt strong enough for a new attack. When I went out of the clouds, I saw the flock of enemy bombers fly southwest with one bomber less...!


                        Stojanov downing a B-24 "Liberator" of the USAAF :
                        20ти декември преди излитане, Спаич към техника си :
                        "Иване, сега кръв ще се лее!"

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I made a thread about my fav ace Ernesto Botto so here is more info about aces of the Regia Aeronautica

                          --
                          Mario Visintini was born in Parenzo d’Istria on 26 April 1913.
                          His birth-name was Visentin but this was later “Italianized” to Visintini.

                          On completing his higher education, he applied to enter the Accademia Aeronautica (Air Force Academy) but failed the medical test.
                          Instead he undertook a civilian course and received his civil pilot-license at Taliedo, Milan, in June 1936, when he qualified on a Caproni Ca.100.
                          This civil license enabled him to join the Regia Aeronautica as an Allievo Ufficiale Pilota di Complemento (Pilot Officer Cadet).

                          He received his military wings in September 1936 and after qualifying as a military pilot at Grottaglie in December 1936, on Breda 25s and Fiat CR.20s, he was posted as Sottotenente to the 91a Squadriglia, 10o Gruppo, 4o Stormo, at Gorizia. Here he trained on CR.30s and CR.32s.

                          He volunteered for service in the Spanish Civil War in November 1937 and was posted to 25a Squadriglia of XVIo Gruppo "La Cucaracha". This unit was at this time equipped with Fiat CR.32s.

                          He claimed a Russian I-16 over Venta de los Camposines on 5 September.
                          Four battles were fought over this place during the day but no details have been found. Five I-16s were lost here, of which one was flown by I. G. Schaulov, who was killed. An I-15 was also claimed by J/88.

                          In October 1938, Visintini retuend to Italy and 4o Stormo.
                          During his time in Spain he had claimed 1 victory during 330 hours of operational flying. For his service in Spain he was decorated with the Medaglia d'argento al Valore Militare.

                          Back in Italy he was given a permanent commission in the Regia Aeronautica due to his record from Spain. After his return he trained on CR.42s, but also on Ca.133s and S. 79 trimotors.

                          In January 1940 he was promoted to Tenente for war merits.



                          Pilots of 412a Squadriglia in front of one of their Fiat CR.42s at Gura
                          (left to right: Tenente Cacciavillani, Tenente Vinsintini, Sottoten D'Addetta, Tenente De Pauli, Capitano Raffi and Sottotenente Levi).
                          On 5 April he was transferred to Italian East Africa (A.O.I.) and posted to the 413a Squadriglia. Before the start of the war in June 1940 he was transferred to the 412a Squadriglia, which was based in Eritrea and equipped with Fiat CR.42s.

                          On 14 June 1940 he claimed his first victory in the Second World War when he shot down one Wellesley (K7743) of 14 Squadron flown by Pilot Officer Reginald Patrick Blenner Plunkett (RAF No. 40849) over Massawa. Plunkett was killed when his aircraft crashed.
                          The fate of the rest of the crew is unknown but it is possible that Plunkett was the only person on board at the time of its loss, there is a suggestion that Plunkett flew this mission when he was convinced by other squadron pilots in a jolly up in the squadron mess that providing one of the attacking Wellesleys carried a gunner, that one was not required by himself on the mission. In all cases when a rescue mission was sent out Plunkett was the only one mentioned. And is the only one recorded as missing on this day.
                          Other sources give the date to 12 June.

                          On 3 July he shot down another Wellesley (L2652) of 14 Squadron over Decamere. This aircraft was leading two other Wellesleys on a reconnaissance over Zula, Decamere, Gura, Asmara and Massawa. On leaving Decamere it was seen by the other two aircraft to turn suddenly and sharply towards the coast, but they then lost sight of it in cloud. It was subsequently attacked by Visinitini and shot down. The pilot, 26-year-old, Flying Officer Samuel Gustav Soderholm (RAF No. 40194) was killed in the crash. The fate of the rest of the crew is unknown.
                          Other sources give the date to 4 July.

                          He claimed a number of victories during July 1940 on unknown dates.
                          Two enemy bombers were claimed during a British raid on 412a Squadriglia’s airfield. It is possible that this claim was made around midday on 12 July when eleven Wellesleys from 14 and 47 Squadrons attacked Massawa airfield. Italian fighters intercepted the formation, shooting down Sergeant Frederick (Freddy) Nelson (RAF No. 516778) of 47 Squadron, in K8520, and also claiming a probable. It has not been possible to verify which pilots from 412a Squadriglia that were involved in this combat.
                          Two more enemy bombers were claimed in a combat over an unknown place.


                          On 14 August Sergente Maggiore Lugi Baron claimed a shared Wellesley over Harmil Island. This claim can’t be verified with British records. It is also possible that this claim is one presumed to have happened on an unknown date in July when Baron claimed a shared Blenheim with Tenente Visintini in the Gura-Decamere area.

                          On 29 July he was decorated with the Medaglia d'argento al Valore Militare.

                          On 1 September a single Wellesley (L2669) from 14 Squadron flown by Sergeant Norris made a photographic reconnaissance over Harmil Island, but was intercepted by fighters scrambled from Massawa and crash-landed on the island, the crew being taken prisoner.
                          Visintini shared this claimed with two other pilots.

                          Early in the morning on 30 September three 45 Squadron Blenheim Is raided Gura, but there all the bombers were attacked by CR.32s and CR.42s, Blenheim L6665 flown by 28-year-old Squadron Leader George Justin Bush (RAF No. 37061) being shot down. An hour later six more of the Squadron’s aircraft appeared over Gura and on this occasion suffered no loss, although fighters were seen again.
                          It seems that Tenente Visintini had shot down Bush since he claimed two victories over Gura on this day as recorded by his commanding officer.

                          In the early hours of 16 October Flight Lieuteant Mitchell of 430 Flight, piloting a Vincent, attacked Tessenei airfield. He was followed back to Gedaref by a Ca.133, which bombed the landing ground without effect. But the Italians now knew where the aircraft, which had been operating around the Lake Tana region during recent weeks were based.
                          A strike was laid on at once. At 0525 an S.79 flown by Generale Piacentini himself led in six CR.42s of the 412a Squadriglia flown by Capitano Antonio Raffi, Tenente Vinsintini, Tenente Carlo Canella, Sergente Maggiore Lugi Baron, Scarselli and Tenente De Pauli. Some sources claims that nine CR.42s were involved in this strike and the British identified the attackers incorrectly as one S.79, four CR.42s and three CR.32s.
                          The Savoia dropped its bombs without causing much damage, but the fighters then strafed and totally destroyed all eight Wellesleys of 47 Squadronss detachment (K7742, K7762, K7779, K7781, L2650, L2675, L2677 and L2688) and two of 430 Flight’s Vincents (K4657 and K4731). An attempt to telephone the fighter detachment at Azzoza was foiled, as the line between Gedaref and Azzoza was found to have been cut. Italian claims were very accurate, eleven aircraft being claimed destroyed, together with a munitions dump and a lorry.
                          For his part in this action Vinsintini was decorated with a Medaglia di Bronzo al Valor Militare.

                          On the 6 November the British forces in Sudan launched an offensive to capture the Italian fort at Gallabat as well as occupy Metemma, which was just across the frontier. All that the RAF could provide in way of support was six Wellesleys, two Vincents, six Gauntlets, ten Gladiators (drawn from ‘K’ Flight and 1 SAAF Squadron) and four Hawker Hardys (from the Rhodesian Air Force). The Wellesleys were first into action bombing Gallabat, with the Gladiators requested to over fly the area in large formations. Three Gladiators of ‘K’ Flight arrived over the advancing troops at low level. They were patrolling to the east of Metemma when a formation of an estimated six or seven CR.42s from 412a Squadriglia led by the unit commander Capitano Raffi attacked them from out of the sun. The Gladiator pilots were taken by surprise; 24-year-old Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Howard Savage (RAF no. 37483) (L7614) was shot down and killed while Pilot Officer Kirk (K7969) was forced to take to his parachute; neither pilot saw their attacker. Pilot Officer J. Hamlyn evaded the initial onslaught but his aircraft (L7612) was badly damaged and he force-landed, returning later on foot.
                          Meanwhile Major Schalk van Schalkwyk of 1 SAAF Squadron had also taken off from Azzoza, but on arriving over the front was also attacked by the CR.42s. Observers on the ground at once rang the strip at ‘Heston’ to report the lone Gladiator in combat with eight opponents, and despite thick mud caused by an unexpected downpour during the night, Captain Brian Boyle at once took off, arriving just in time to see the commanding officer's Gladiator going down in flames, the pilot taking to his parachute with his clothes on fire; he did not survive. Immediately Boyle was also attacked, bullets entering the cockpit and wounding him in hands and legs; desperately he fought on until the engine of N5852 stopped, and he had to crash-land between the lines. He was subsequently warded a DFC for his gallant action in going single-handed to van Schalkwyk’s assistance.
                          Capitano Raffi reported that four victories were claimed as a result of these engagements, but Sottotenente Rosmino's aircraft was hit and he returned with his parachute pack riddled with bullets.
                          During the morning another ‘K’ Flight Gladiator was flown up to the front, and shortly after midday Flying Officer Haywood (K7977) joined four Gladiators of 1 SAAF Squadron from ‘Heston’ in another patrol over the front. There five Ca.133s were seen at 7,000 feet, 2,000 feet lower than the Gladiators, approaching the battle area. As the fighters prepared to attack, they were bounced from above by six CR.42s and Haywood’s aircraft was seen to crash in flames. The South Africans at once split up into pairs, Lieutenants John Coetzer and Robin Pare taking on the fighters while Lieutenants Andrew Duncan and John Hewitson went after the bombers. The Caproni attacked by Duncan crashed on the Metemma-Gondar road, while Hewitson’s fell out of control and also crashed; he also damaged a third bomber on the ground. The crew of one of the shot-down bombers survived, and was to return on foot several days later.
                          While this was going on, the two pilots fighting the CR.42s had managed to drive them off, each claiming one of the fighters shot down; no losses of CR.42s were recorded however, although either or both of those attacked may have been damaged, and force-landed. Two more victories were claimed by the Italians to raise their total for the day to six, two or three of which were credited to Tenente Visintini, who claimed two destroyed and one probable enemy aircraft in the Gondar area during the day.
                          By the end of the day, despite the loss of air superiority by the British forces, Gallabat Fort had been captured and the garrison virtually annihilated.

                          On 12 December the 412a Squadriglia launched an airfield strafe on the advanced strip at Gaz Regeb, where 237 Squadron’s ‘B’ Flight was based.
                          At 06:10 an S.79 flown by Tenente Colonello Liberati led five CR.42s over the airfield, three of the latter making an attack on the parked Hawker Hardys and destroying K4053, K4308, K4055 and K4307.
                          Capitao Raffi, CO of the 412a Squadriglia, made several attacks on one aircraft which consistently refused to burn, but his own aircraft was then hit in the oil sump by fire from the Sudan Defence Force detachment guarding the airfield. Trailing smoke, he headed for his base, but the engine finally seized and stopped some 100 kilometres from the target and he force-landed east of Aroma, near the Atbara River. Tenente Visintini landed alongside, took his CO aboard and seated on Raffi’s knees after dispensing his parachute took off after setting fire to the crippled CO’s CR.42. They returned successfully to Asmara.
                          The Italian pilots claimed to have destroyed five Vickers Vincents on the ground at Gaz Regeb, together with some armoured cars. Successive attacks were made on Raffi’s CR.42 to ensure its total destruction.



                          Mario Visintini (left) and Raffi in a Fiat CR.42.
                          On 16 January 1941 he was promoted to Capitano and Commander of 412a Squadriglia.

                          In January he claimed an enemy aircraft during a night interception on an unknown date and place.
                          It is also possible that this claim was made during the night of 12/13 December 1940 when he, according to some sources, claimed a bomber shot down with a second probably destroyed over Eritrea. No losses were however reported by the British squadrons during this night.

                          On 26 January he claimed a Blenheim and scattered five more.

                          A Blenheim was claimed on 4 February.

                          During the morning on 9 February he took part in an attack together with four other pilots from 412a Squadriglia on Agordat and its satellite airfield. 16 aircraft were claimed shared destroyed on the ground including 5 Hurricanes, 5 Hawker biplanes, 2 Gladiators, 2 Wellesleys, 1 Valentia and 1 ‘Martin’ Lysander.
                          Actual losses were two Wellesleys (K7713 and L2665) of 47 Squadron, two Hardys and two Lysanders of 237 Squadron, while four other aircraft were damaged.

                          On the afternoon on 9 February he claimed two enemy aircraft intercepted while they were attacking Asmara and Adi Ugri.
                          These claims were reported in Italian War Bulletin N. 247 as Visintini’s 15th and 16th victories during the Second World War.

                          Some sources state that he claimed three Blenheims in three separate combats in the beginning of the year. This probably means that at least one of the claims in January or 9 February against unknown enemy aircraft was of this type.
                          On one occasion he set an engine of one of these bombers on fire, then flew alongside signaling the pilot to land. Only when the pilot ignored these signals and continued to fly out to sea, did Vinsintini administer the coup de grâce.

                          On 11 February Visintini claimed a Hurricane over Keren. This claim was probably made in combat with Hurricanes from 1 SAAF Squadron, which had 11 aircraft on patrols over the area during the day. Two of them encountered three CR.42s, which dived away in thick cloud. Lieutenant S. de K. Viljoen followed and failed to return. Running low on fuel, he had to land near a village, fortunately within territory in British hands. He obtained petrol, and attempted to take off next morning, but crashed. He returned to Agordat on foot. His aircraft was later recovered and repaired.
                          It seems that Viljoen had chased aircraft from 412a Squadriglia, engaged in strafing British troops in front of Keren. Two of these fighters flown by Sergente Maggiore Lugi Baron and another pilot, force-landed at a forward landing strip due to bad weather.
                          Later on the day Visintini took off to fly back to guide these pilots home. It seems that during the flight he was however blown off course by high winds and while descending through clouds he crashed into the side of Mount Nefasit and was instantly killed.

                          He received Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare posthumously for his outstanding combat record, and for noteworthy work as deputy commander of the Squadriglia. Visintini was the Italian top-scorer in the East African campaign of 1940-41.
                          According to Italian War Bulletin N. 252 of 14 February 1941 he was credited with 17 confirmed victories in A.O.I. The attached document to his Medaglia d’Oro states 50 combats, 16 destroyed and 32 shared destroyed.

                          At the time of his death, Visintini had 17 victories, all of them claimed while flying biplane fighters.

                          Please note that all Visintini’s claims were and are unofficial, as up to date there isn’t any official confirmed listing of Italian aces. His claims in Spain have been especially difficult to verify with various sources and most of them only credit him with one victory there. However most sources agree that he claimed 16 or 17 victories during the operations in the A.O.I.

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                            #14


                            I cant find much on Adriano Visconti on the net but he was the leading Italian ace (26 WW2 kills) and after the September.8th betrayal he joined pro-Nazi/Fascist forces and fought till the end defending northern Italy

                            In 1945 Communist Partisans offered surrender negoations with him and his RSI Fascist Air Force unit, he accepted and as a gentlemen personally lead the talks, after a "successful" meaning he left and was walking back to his car when one of the criminal Communists shot him dead in the back :x

                            a true hero and classic gentleman ace 8)

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                              #15
                              Another Victory over a B-24 :

                              June the 24-th. Yesterday Bukarest was bombed by the Americans, so we thought " today there will be a pause" The sun was just up in the sky and over the town of Ihtiman when the initial information for an aerial danger came to us.

                              We are gathered around the map in the command hall and watch the plotter specialist who draws some lines on his map , showing the enemy formations' route. We are trying to guess their target, where deadly loads will be dropped today.

                              Clearly, it will be not Athens, Vienna or Budapest but most likely some of our home towns or the town of Nish , or perhaps again Bucharest and Ploesti.



                              At 7.00 a.m. the sirens of Sofia started to howl, indicating an aerial Danger. For first time the citizens of Sofia wentto their hiding place so early . We sit in our cockpits , waiting for the takeoff signal. We listen to the loudspeakers for some more information about the sizeof coming formations. Today again the number of enemy’s aircrafts is a record - more than 600 units!. And we will take off with our only 14 fighter planes . This is all, what we have ready for combats. The other squadron, situated temporarily in the airfield of Karlovo, will join us in order to help, but it has even less planes than we have here in Sofia.

                              Our takeoff is at 8.00 a.m. and we took the direction Kurilo-Svoge for gaining some altitude. At the altitude of about 2000 meters our air force command warned us to be careful as a German squadron of fighter planes is also in air. This means that some help is provided by our allies. Soon we noticed them and making a left turn we joined them. Their commander takes the command of all of us. Crossing the chain of the Balkan mountains, we advance forwards and increase our altitude.

                              We flew over an area northwest from the town of Vraca, when we were informed by our radio link that the enemy is already over our territory and takes a direction to the towns of Dupnica and Samokov. The German leader of our formation however remained unconcerned by this message and went on flying to the north. Obviously he did not care for protecting our land but was ready to protect the bombing of Rumanian petrol factories. In this moment I decided to do something different.I left the group of German planes, flying to the north and turned my plane backwards to the south , where our capital city Sofia lays ; thus finishing with our joint aerial operation with the Germans.

                              Reaching the mountain hills near the town of Ihtiman our altitude was already 7000 m. Far away from our group, somewhere over Chamkoria (nowadays Borovec )situated in Rila mountain's skirts, we saw the long colon of enemy bombers, "draining itself" to the northeast. We continued with gaining some altitude, keeping our planes sidely of the colon and letting enemy fly undisturbed below us to north-east . One by one, the formations passed under us as if a military parade is going on and we watch them as " honored guests". We counted nine groups ,each of them with 20-30 bombers

                              , guarded by many fighter planes -"Lightnings" and "Mustangs". One group of the fighter planes, flew very close to the bombers, while other planes , single or in couples, flew higher of the fortress' level , making constant changes of their flight’s directions and carefully watching from above for enemy, thus giving more courage to the bomber's crews. Some other groups of 40-60 fighter planes flew like bee swarms , in a ball looking mass, each plane with a different altitude , but ready to fight against any attacker, that could come from any possible side or altitude.

                              The last groups are now below us. We watch them and let them pass by, wondering ourselves on which part of their formation we could start our attack. We were now about 1500 m higher above them but they have noticed us earlier and they kept watching our moves . A group of them slowly comes nearer but probably decided that we will go on peacefully watching them and so they returned back near to their bomber's colon.

                              So watching only, we continue our parallel flying close to and behind the colon, keeping a good distance from it.

                              In one of the next moments however , when the main group of enemy’s fighter planes was far ahead and apart from the formation , our attack has started and surprised the rear flying bombers.Suddenly the thunder, made by so many guns, mixed with the engines' growl stroke the silent high hills, situated around of the towns of Panaguriste and Koprivstica. Two of the 4-engine fortresses, attacked by us, were seriously damaged and could not be able to return to their bases. We left quickly the area of this combat in order to avoid attracting their fighters.

                              We have relaxed for some minutes, when one of our pilots reported on his radio that a bomber is following the same flight direction but some few miles behind the formation.

                              Soon I sow myself this lonely aircraft .I wondered myself what its mission could be and why it is alone and far behind the group, without any cover fighter. If it has some engine problem, it should return to its base. Instead it flies further into enemy's territory? May be I taught this is some kind ofgame for enticement of our attention.?"

                              We have heard for such actions arranged by our enemy, when single aircrafts , specially armed with 32 machine guns and with four big guns, were used purposely for attraction of enemy's fightersin order to destroy them easily with a massive and unexpected fire from all of those guns." Probably this is also such a special aircraft,( known to us by the name " a Marauder") or something of this kind "

                              Yet it was attractive target and was a challenge for us to attack it.

                              So I have decided to attack. Obviously our intention was noticed by the crew of this single aircraft (or may be this was the planned way) but it quickly turned to the right side and reversed its flight in backwards direction. We followed the plane, speeding up to the maximal speed our planes could reach. I gave my orders to all that our wing of four planes will attack first". We flew ahead , slightly withdrawn to one side and close enough for a better watching of the bomber. Six of our planes remained on the right side behind and above of us while 4 other planes had to cover our wing's rear side, remaining left behind us and led by lieut. Banev. Gradually, we came nearer to the bomber , we had in this moment the feeling that we will be really the winners, simply because we were 14 against only one plane. Very soon, when we were in the sky over the town of Ihtiman, I took the uisual position for attack. I pulled with my plane close behind and on the right side of the bomber, with an altitude of 500 m. higher than the bomber's level. Ready to attack, I decided again to use my experience that I had so far accomplished in combats with a 4-engine bomber. i.e. I will attack alone and then will be followed in a stretched line , one by one, by the other 3 fighter planes of our "wing". They were ready to follow me and to double my attack.

                              I gave my orders: "Attention , I start the attack. The next one shall go in as soon as I finish".

                              I advanced frontally approaching the right side of the fortress. The side- gunner started shooting on me, long before my plane come close to him, but Imanaged to move it downwards , sliding unnoticeably to one side , watching the traces of shots and making some maneuvers to avoid any hit. From time to time, I gave myself some short serials of shooting to keep this side-gunner more afraid,( as every human normally should be from shooting on him), thus constraining him to hide himself behind the armored protection of his gun-place. Than I drew my plane more close to the bomber's tail and with an unexpected slide, I appeared very close to it . I could see now the gunner, who was stationed in the opening of the tail and who until now couldn't see me, neither could he aim his gun's shooting more effectively on me. So immerging suddenly in front of him, I gave a continuous shooting, taking further my plane to the left side. I directed my shooting straight on the gunner, whom I could see just in front of me. Seconds later, I saw him jumping out of the plane and disappearing from my sight. Perhaps he used his parachute but I couldn't see in this moment what is going on below and behind my plane.

                              Immediately after this result, my attention was directed to my next and final target - the two engines of the left wing of the bomber so I fired with my guns immediately on them. In the next moment I saw some bright traces indicating that my shots go streight to this new target. In less than a second a fade line of smoke stretched after one of the two engines. ” Enough for now. It is time to withdraw”. Now comes the turn of the next attacker- second lieut. M. Ousounov, who starts his attack.On ground he was a brilliant hunter but an exellent shooter in the air combats too.” Let him continue my work”. So I flew below the enemy's plane and on the right side of it , in order to watch better the attacks and their results.

                              Soon after this, the smoke behind the engines of the bomber has increased and 6-7 men from its crew jumped out, using their parachutes . I gave my further instructions to the next pilot, who started his attack. It was serg. Cyril Stoyanov. He did his shooting well, so the bomber caught some fire and there was an explosion on its body .Some pieces flew around in the air and the bomber sunk down .

                              Someone came in our radio link and loudly admired our victory with "Well done, boys".

                              Unfortunately our joy lasted only a minute or so because suddenly a great danger appeared over us .

                              Usually ,before the start of any attack, I look carefully around me , especially over and behind my plane. I did this also today but it turned to be not good enough. When I watched the result of attacks made by my colleges, I forgot to look around and see in advance any eventual danger. The 4 planes, that were guarding us and the 6 planes that were also flying between our two " wings" , also forgot their constant duty to keep watching and to prevent sudden attacks of the enemy . Unfortunately after this total lack of alertness, in the seconds that followed our victory, we were fully surprised and swiftly attacked by some 40 or more Lightnings. In moments like this ,"one has no time for even become worried.

                              So I just heard a weak voice of the leader of our guards saying in the radio "Lightnings above us.." when a "life and death" fighting around me was already becoming a cruel reality. I looked upwards quickly and saw that the sky above me was "covered " with enemy’s fighters.

                              In every pilot's experience there are some critical moments, when his life is exposed to a very great danger. Today all of us in this combat had such a moment. We started a very fatal and uneven fight. Every one of us fought with about 3 or 4 of the "divided body"(Lightnings) fighters of the enemy. In the first seconds of this fight, I saw one of our planes , flying steep downwards . I decided to move closer to my college, in order to see its identification number. In this moment however I saw terrified that 3 of the Lightnings are on its tail. I gave some covering shots with my guns , aiming at the space between our plane and the nose of the first following Lightning . In result of this, the attacker diverted from the tail of our plane. The speeding up of my plane however turned myself a good target for all the following Lightnings as I crossed their route's line. They , of course , were immediately aware of my "self offering" position and turned their flights and shooting directly on me.I could see the Death coming close to me in this moment and I had to do my best to slip away from Her. So I looked upwards to the sky above me, where I just saw a dozen of planes, dogfighting, I realized that Iwas too far below them to flew upwards in ascape fly as I will reach their altitude with a very low speed, and this means again a great danger to me becoming an easy target for them . So it is not upwards! Forwards or to some of the sides also is a bad choice . The only way out to ascape is to fly downwards , although this is technically very hard to be executed. While thinking on this some bright traces of shooting on me appeared over my head and around me. I felt my back shudder. My body shrunk instinctively in the cockpit. I pressed the lever forwards and flew vertically down and even turned to "on- back flying". I felt on me the sudden action of a very strong centrifugal force, which was so hard for a human to bear it. Despite of my good training, this sudden sharp change of the flight's direction turned my stomach upside down and pressed on my diaphragm . My heart started to beat very strongly and my blood moved into my head and eyes. For a moment I became almost blind in result of this. My mind however remained working so I went on applying more pressure on the lever moving it forwards , just as if I wanted to perform a reverse "looping" combined with a slow rotation of my plane around its longitudal axis in order to come out from the vertical flying and start a horizontal backwards flying . It was like when in acrobatic flying pilots perform the figure "tono"(auger) which however is only a semi auger and made vertically instead horizontally. So I " dropped" down to an altitude, which was less 5000 meters and was very close to ground level, and then I "broke" my fly and turned it horizontally again. My speed increased to 700 km per hour , so without decreasing it, I dived close over the Plana mountain's hills. Then I swinged with my plane left and right several times,to be be able to see any eventual follower on my tail and when I saw none, I took my breath again and with increased attention flew upwards . Reaching an altitude of about 4000 meters, I gave on radio my order to all our fighters to gather .

                              During my "squeezing out from the the death's nails " the bomber, shot by us, fell down near a bridge of the Iskar river, just in the town of Samokov's center, so some smoke appeared over the river's bed , where were the remains of it . A Lightning also dipped into the neighboring hills. Some of the American pilots landed with parachutes. The plane of our second lieut. Christo Krastev , was shot almost immediately when the enemy planes appeared over us, so he did an emergency landing in the valley of Ihtiman. During the landing, his plane broke but he survived and was taken to a hospital with heavy wounds. Not far from him landed also with damaged plane the second lieut. Michael Banov. Very close to death was also sec. ieut. Tudor Rozev. After some heavy damages , caused to his plane, a fire started on it and Rozev tried to leave it parachuting. But his cabin , also badly damaged , couldn't open. The fire flames were already close to his legs and his plane was out of control falling very fastly down. In just a few seconds he could die in the crash with earth. Collecting all of his remaining human energy, he tried to open the cabin but failed again. So Rosev has reconciled with his fate and prepared to die, seeing the earth how it comes closer and closer. But it wasn’t his fate that he has to die that very day. A rare and lucky chance came to him when an explosion of one of the additional fuel tanks of the plane has happened in this moment. The explosion has deformed the cabin in such a way that it dropped out in the air followed by Rosev himself, who was thrown out by the strong air flux and has started to fall down . He managed to pull the lever of his parachute and after a moment he sow over his head the saving cupola, just a few seconds away from ground. So he landed in some farmer's field near the village of D. Bania, not far from the town of Samokov.

                              Damages have been caused to the planes of Tonchev and Gruev but they managed to land safely in the airfield. Sec, Lieut. Tonchev has had again two holes in his propeller' blades and one big in the wing's arch.

                              One pilot did not returned however today- the quiet and always smiling Zviatko Zagorsky. His plane fuel tank was hit by the shots and caught fire inside of the cabin and uncontrolled his plane crashed in the field.
                              20ти декември преди излитане, Спаич към техника си :
                              "Иване, сега кръв ще се лее!"

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