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Thread: Italian Front: February 18, 1916, a Ca3 story.

  1. #1

    Default Italian Front: February 18, 1916, a Ca3 story.

    Citing what is written by Andreji in your "Air War 1914-18 Calendar [February]", I would like to learn more about events occurring on that date.
    In February 18, 1916 Italians planned an attack on Ljubljana. It must have been a reprisal for an attack on Milan in the days before.
    Between 7.30 and 7.45, 10 Ca3 were taken off, armed with several torpedoes bombs of 90 mm ​​and 162 mm, from Aviano and Comina fields. After a short time, three of Ca3 returned to base for engine problems. Of the others, only five reached the target and they dropped 36 bombs on the railway and the city. Three-engine, faced fierce and determined AA reaction.
    All planes returned with signs of shot on fuselage.
    Ca3 piloted by captain Ercole Ercole and lieutenant Gino Laureati the engine had hit by a shot and returned to base with only two motors.
    Less fortunate Ca3 piloted by captain Visconti and captain Turilli. Their plane suffered an engine failure at the central engine, and so after dropping their bombs on the railway they decided to return to base.
    With the plane losing altitude, they were attacked by Fokker AIII flown by Captains Kostrba and soon three other AIII and two other biplanes. With the machine gun jammed, chap Visconti was killed while he was shooting with is pistol.
    Trimotor hit several times hovered near Merna where captain Turilli was captured.
    This was the first Caproni Ca3 shot down in aerial combat.
    On the same day, during a previous sortie, Kostrba Captains and peers Bernath had attacked another Ca3 piloted by captains Luigi Bailo and Oreste Salomone with Lieutenant Colonel Alfredo Barbieri as an observer.
    The two hunters rushed Ca3 diving towards the rear. The blasts killed Bailo trying to shoot with a rifle and LT. Col. Barbieri brandishing a machine gun. Salomone head injuries did not give up and managed to bring "Aquila Romana" ("Roman Eagle" this was the name given to the bomber) beyond the front line landing in friendly territory.
    This story was much celebrated in Italy and it was dedicated a cover of "Domenica del Corriere" to celebrate the heroic exploit of Captain Solomon, the first Italian pilot to get the Gold Medal for Military Valor.

    Enrico


    Attachment 33807
    Last edited by eriko76; 02-13-2012 at 12:05.

  2. #2

    Default

    Nice info, Enrico. Thx for sharing!

    Attilio

  3. #3

    Thumbs up

    Yes great bravery shown by all those Airmen.

  4. #4

    Default

    Very interesting snippet of information there Enrico. Bring on the Capronis.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."



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