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Crash of a Fiat BR.20M Cigogna in Brussels: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM21908
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Brussels - Brussels
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The Italian bomber departed Melsbroek AFB in Brussels between 1745LT and 1830LT with nine other similar airplanes on an operation to England - Harwich, Ipswich, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. Over the target area, the airplane was hit by enemy fire and the crew was able to evacuate the combat zone and to fly back to Belgium. On final approach at night, the airplane went out of control and crashed onto several houses located in Diegem, short of runway. All six crew members were killed. It is believed that people on the ground were also killed.
Crew (13th Squadron):
2nd Lt Talete Rebuscini, pilot,
2nd Lt S/T Luigi Dal Forno,
FM Elvio Romito,
1Av Giuseppe Maruelli,
1Av Mario Cini,
1Av Giacomo Columbano.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.73P in Brindisi: 27 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM60513
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
5
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The three engine airplane was used by the Regia Aeronautica to transfer troops in the Mediterranean area. Shortly after takeoff from Brindisi, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. All 27 occupants, three crew members and 24 soldiers, were killed.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 in Doliana: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane was shot down by enemy fire at an altitude of 3,000 feet and crashed. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fiat BR.20 Cigogna in Florenville: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM21928
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chièvres - Chièvres
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was involved in a bombing mission over England and departed Chièvres AFB that day. In unknown circumstances, the aircraft went out of control and crashed some 400 metres from the Florenville Station. All six crew members were killed.
Crew (13th Squadron):
Cpt Carlo Pagani, pilot,
Lt Arrigo Vardabasso, pilot
FM Giovanni Favia, copilot,
Sgt Aldo Maggiori Del Monte, flight engineer,
Sgt Paolo Biziocchi, radio navigator,
Sgt/M Paride Astesati, air gunner.

Crash of a Caproni Ca.133 in Garissa

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a combat mission, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crash landed, bursting into flames. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire and all crew members became PoW, among them Sgt Mah Miniati.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero off Aden: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1940
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While on a combat mission, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea off Aden. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Ennio Grandi, poilot,
Gastone Ceciliot, pilot,
2nd Lt Italo Gherardini,
Sgt/M Romolo Petrucci,
Ottavio Coronati.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fiat BR.20 Cigogna in Cella: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MM21408
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Cella, about 19 km southwest of Parma. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero in Benghazi

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1940
Operator:
Registration:
MM60399
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Benghazi - Gondar
MSN:
19052
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At Benghazi Airport, the pilot aborted the takeoff procedure for unknown reasons. The airplane lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero in Torri ta' Triq il-Wiesgħa

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1940 at 0800 LT
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four crew members.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero near Tobruk: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1940 at 1730 LT
Operator:
Registration:
I-MANU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
El Feteyat - Tobruk
MSN:
32040
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft departed El Feteyat Airfield at 1700LT bound for Tobruk. Half way down, the crew informed ground he was about 160 km east of his departure point. While approaching Tobruk, the aircraft was hit by ground fire, entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in some 60 km west of Tobruk, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed, among them the Italian Minister of Aviation Italo Balbo.
Crew:
Marechal Italo Balbo, Pilot,
Maj Ottavio Frailich, copilot,
Cpt Gino Cappannini, flight engineer,
Sgt-Major Giuseppe Berti, radio navigator,
Enrico Caretti,
Lino Balbo,
Claudio Brunelli,
Nello Quilici,
Cino Florio.
Probable cause:
One day after the crash, the Italian Government announced officially that the airplane had been accidentally shot down by the Italian navy ship named 'San Giorgio' mooring off the Libyan coast. The airplane was obviously misidentified.