18 Gruppo

Photo 01: On 11 November, 22 CR.42s from 85" and 95" Squadriglie, took off from Eeklo to escort ten Fiat BR,20M bombers in the first CAI daylight raid against England.

Photo 01: Fiat CR.42s of the 85a and 95a Squadriglia, 56° Stormo, 18° Gruppo (seconded from 3° Stormo) at Rhein/Main, Germany, en route to airfields in Belgium. A total of 50 CR.42s were sent for operations against Britain and, once under Luftwaffe the 18° Gruppo became known 18./JG56.

Photo 01: Fiat CR.42 of the 85a Squadriglia, 18° Gruppo, 56° Stormo, Corpo Aereo Italiano, based at Eeklo in Belgium and flown on 11 November 1940 by Sergente Antonio Lazzari. This aircraft, Serial No. MM6976 was finished in an uppersurface scheme which was described in the RAF Crash Report as a muddy brown, over which were patches of dark green, those on the fuselage being smaller and having softer edges than the patches on the wings. The undersurfaces were silver and the propeller blades had pale blue fronts and black rears.

Photo 01: A Fiat CR.42 of the 85" Squadriglia on a rain-swept airfield in Belgium. Not all Italian pilots took kindly to being ordered to Belgium, one Sergente of 95" Squadriglia stating that he loathed the climate, was dissatisfied with his officers and couldnt stand either the food or the Germans!

Photo 02: ITALIAN PLANES OVER BRITAIN. On Armistice Day Britain received the first large-scale visit from the Italian Air Force. Between fifteen and twenty bombers that appeared over the Thames Estuary. Escorted by about sixty fighters. were routed by two Hurricane squadrons. who shot down eight bombers and five fighters without loss to themselves. Two, of the planes a Caproni bomber and a Fiat CR-42 fighter, both of which crashed in Suffolk. The remainder of the Italian formation fled.

Photo 01: This CR.42, 95-14, MM5703, from the 95° Squadriglia, was another aircraft which took part in the mission to England on 11 November. On its return, however, it made an emergency landing on the Belgian coast and overturned. The pilot, Tennente Ramolo Artina was unhurt. The 83a, 85a and 95a Squadriglie formed the 18° Gruppo which was based at Ursel under the command of Maggiore Ferrucio Vosilla.

Photo 01: On 11 November, 22 CR.42s from 85" and 95" Squadriglie, took off from Eeklo to escort ten Fiat BR,20M bombers in the first CAI daylight raid against England.

After the raids on Production Facilities in Northern Italy by the Royal Air force, Mussolini was furious and asked Hitler to join the Battle of England. In late September 1940 Bombers were send along with Fiat CR.42 and Fiat G.50 fighters to build up the expeditionary Corpo Aereo Italiano in Belgium. During their mission they started small and useless attacks mostly hundreds of little coastal and supporting duties. The Italian units were withdrawn in April 1941 leaving Belgium and the Channel combat zone. The Italian Intermezzo on the Battle of Britain had less effect, it just led to heavy casualties and depression on the Italian side.

Relating the C.A.I. G.50s in war time pictures we can see a drastic change of their outlook. While on transfer in Germany and in the first weeks in Belgium their Markings and paintjob was as usual. After a week or two weather changed rapidly. On some pictures from now on you cant read the Serials or markings, weathering took a good job. The units had very weak morale because of their under equipped status and the heavy conditions they were faced with. The pilots were told fairy tales by their commanders to keep up the moral, like the Hurricanes were too slow to intercept the CR.42. Some of the G.50 pilots suffered even heavy frostbites in their open ladies.

The Italian entry into the Battle of BritainRegia Aeronautica during the Battle of Britain

 

3 Stormo

18 Gruppo

18 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 83, 85, 95 Stormo 3

18 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 83, 85, 95 Stormo 3
Arrival Base Country Aircraft Zone Duties
3 Jun 1940 Novi Ligure Italy CR42 Sqa 1 GA. AE. AR
19 Oct 1940 Monaco Monaco CR 42 CAI IT
Oct 1940 Darmstadt Germany CR 42 CAI IT
Oct 1940 Maldegem Belgium CR 42 CAI AE. AR
11 Jan 1941 Frankfurt Germany CR 42 CAI IT
Jan 1941 Pisa Italy CR42 Sqa 3 TG
25 Jan 1941 Sorman Tripolitan CR 42 Sqa 5 CE
30 Jan 1941 Mellaha Tripolitan CR 42 Sqa 5 CE
24 Feb 1941 Tarnet Tripolitan CR 42 Sqa 5 DF
5 Apr 1941 Benghasi K 2 Cirenaica CR 42 Sqa 5 DF
12 Aug 1941 Torino-Mirafiori Italy G50 Sqa 1 TG
Sep 1941 Trapani? Sicily G50 ASIC CE
15 May 1942 Mirafiori Italy MC 200 Sqa 1 TG
16 Jul 1942 Ciampino Sud Italy MC 200 Sqa 3 TG
18 Jul 1942 Pantelleria Pantelleria MC 200 ASIC IT
18 Jul 1942 Tripoli Tripolitan MC 200 Sqa 5 IT
23 Jul 1942 Abu Haggag Egypt MC 200 Sqa 5 AR. DF. AE, GA
Oct 1942 Abu Nimeir Egypt MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 TG
Oct 1942 Abu Smeit Egypt MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 TG
3 Nov 1942 Bir el Astas Egypt MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. GA
6 Nov 1942 Bu Amud Cirenaica MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. GA
10 Nov 1942 Benghasi Cirenaica MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. GA
12 Nov 1942 En Nofiha Tripolitan MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. GA
16 Nov 1942 Tauorga Tripolitan MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. GA
15 Jan 1943 Castelbenito Tripolitan MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. TG
19 Jan 1943 Medenine Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 ATUN DF.GA
22 Jan 1943 El Hamma Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 ATUN DF. GA
Feb 1943 Achichma Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 ATUN DF. GA
Feb 1943 El Hamma Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF.GA
Mar 1943 Gabes Tunisia MC 200 MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. GA
Apr 1943 Torino-Caselle Italy MC 202 Sqa 1 TG
11 Jun 1943 Ciampino Sud Italy MC 202 Sqa 3 DF
21 Jun 1943 Cerveteri Italy MC 202 MC 205 V SA1 207 Sqa 3 DF, TG

The Gruppo carried out strafing attacks on bases in southern France and escorted bombers. 85 sq was detached to Villanova d’Albcnga in June. Two months later the pilots were ferrying 30 CR 42s to Castelbenito, via Pantelleria. returning in the Gruppo's Ca 133s. They had six of these on strength.

The unit temporarily transfered to 56 Stormo for operations over the English Channel. The first mission was on 29 October, escorting 43 Stormo to Ramsgate. On 11 November, on a similar mission, they fought a pitched battle w ith Hurricanes and Spitfires over Harwich. After this, they were restricted in offensive sorties, although sweeps were flown over the Channel, ceasing on 3 January. During this time pilots checked out the Me 109 E in a neighbourning German unit and may have asked to re-equip with that aircraft later. The Gruppo was known to the Germans as 18/JG56. After a brief rest in Italy they moved to Libya for the first half of 1941. followed by a spell of escort duty in Sicily. More CR 42s were received, from 23 Gruppo at Sorman, on 1 March to replace losses. The faithful old Ca 133s were still in attendance.

In February Sirte was used as a forward base, and 83 sq was detached to Tauorga. This squadriglia then moved to Hon (9 March). Mellaha (23 April), and Derna (May). Reforming on 15 May 1942. with 30 MC 200s. they moved to Ciampino where 21 aircraft were fitted with bombracks. They then flew to Libya. By July they were 60% operational and preparing for the Alamein battles. On the night of 12 August, seven pilots were killed on the ground by raiding Swordfish and Albacores - this was a great blow to the Gruppo. Further losses on the ground reduced their effectiveness, but in the retreat across Libya they managed to hinder the Allied advance with fighterbomber attacks under the escort of 23 Gruppo. Towards the end of October they received 4 Stormo’s old MC 202s in place of 13 MC 200s lost to bombing on the 21st. They were followed by more from 13 Gruppo on 31 December. 83 sq was detached to Castelbenito on 20 November.

During operations over southern Tunisia, further MC 202s were passed over by 4 Stormo. on 8 January 1943 at Castelbenito. 83 sq moved from there to Medeninc on the 20th. sharing with 70 sq of 23 Gruppo the role of last Italian air unit to leave Libya. By the end of March the unit withdrew to Italy, having no serviceable aircraft left.

Re-equipping at Caselie. they moved south for the defence of Rome. Six MC 205 V Series Ills and three SA 1 207s arrived at the end of July and joined in the bomber intercepts. Brief detachments to Sicily ended with a mauling which caused a quick return to Cerveteri. They then successfully fought against the incoming B 17s and B 24s with their Macchis. By 7 September there were two MC 205 Vs and nine MC 202s still operational.

19 Gruppo Comb Squadriglie 100, 101, 102 Stormo 5

19 Gruppo Comb Squadriglie 100, 101, 102 Stormo 5
Arrival Base Country Aircraft Zone Duties
10 Jun 1940 Alghero Sardinia Breda 88 ASAR GA
Jul 1940 Lonate Pozzolo Italy Breda 88 Sqa 1 TG

On 6 May 1939. 5 Stormo received the Breda 88 at Lonate Pozzolo. On 11 June 1940 the Gruppo became Autonomo.

On 16 and 19 June, raids were carried out on Corsican targets, but the 13 aircraft were found to be grossly underpowered. The unit rejoined 5 Stormo on 13 July, moving to Italy, where it finally disbanded on 1 December 1940.

Fiat CR-42 18./JG56 56 Stormo 20 Gruppo 20Gr Mario Bonzano Ursel Belgium 1940 during the Battle of Britain.

After the raids on Production Facilities in Northern Italy by the Royal Air force, Mussolini was furious and asked Hitler to join the Battle of England. In late September 1940 Bombers were send along with Fiat CR.42 and Fiat G.50 fighters to build up the expeditionary Corpo Aereo Italiano in Belgium. During their mission they started small and useless attacks mostly hundreds of little coastal and supporting duties. The Italian units were withdrawn in April 1941 leaving Belgium and the Channel combat zone. The Italian Intermezzo on the Battle of Britain had less effect, it just led to heavy casualties and depression on the Italian side.

Relating the C.A.I. G.50s in war time pictures we can see a drastic change of their outlook. While on transfer in Germany and in the first weeks in Belgium their Markings and paintjob was as usual. After a week or two weather changed rapidly. On some pictures from now on you cant read the Serials or markings, weathering took a good job. The units had very weak morale because of their under equipped status and the heavy conditions they were faced with. The pilots were told fairy tales by their commanders to keep up the moral, like the Hurricanes were too slow to intercept the CR.42. Some of the G.50 pilots suffered even heavy frostbites in their open ladies.

 

20 Gruppo

20 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 351,352, 353 Stormo 51

20 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 351,352, 353 Stormo 51
Arrival Base Country Aircraft Zone Duties
10 Jun 1940 Ciampino Sud Italy CR32 G50 Sqa 3 NF, DF
19 Oct 1940 Ursel Belgium G50 CAI AE. DF
Apr 1941 Castelbenito Tripolitan G50 Sqa 5 DF
May 1941 Misurata Tripolitan G50 Sqa 5 DF.CE
May 1941 El Ftehja Cirenaica G50 Sqa 5 DF, CE, GA
Jun 1941 Martuba Cirenaica G50 Sqa 5 DF, GA. AE
Aug 1941 Gambut Cirenaica G50 Sqa 5 AR. AE
18 Nov 1941 Sidi Rezegh Cirenaica G50 Sqa 5 DF. AE
12 Dec 1941 Derna Cirenaica G50 Sqa 5 TG, DF. AE
14 Dec 1941 Agedabia Cirenaica G50 Sqa 5 DF. AE
Dec 1941 El Merduma Tripolitan G50 Sqa 5 DF. AE
20 Dec 1941 Ciampino? Italy MC 202 Sqa 3 TG
May 1942 Chinisia Sicily MC 202 ASIC AE. AR
30 Jun 1942 Gela Sicily MC 202 ASIC AE. AR
Nov 1942 Castelvetrano Sicily MC 202 ASIC CE.DF
Mar 1943 Ciampino Italy MC 202 G55 Sqa 3 TG
May 1943 Chinisia Sicily MC 202 G55 ASIC DF
16 May 1943 Capoterra Sardinia MC 202 G55 ASAR DF
Jul 1943 Casa Zeppera Sardinia MC 202 G55 ASAR DF
31 Jul 1943 Fohgno Italy MC 202 G55 Sqa 3 DF
23 Aug 1943 Milis Sardinia MC 202 ASAR DF
27 Aug 1943 Foligno Italy MC 202 G55 MC 205 V Sqa 3 DF

As part of the Rome defences, this unit had four CR 32s as interim nightfighters, plus 25 G 50s for day sorties. On 13 June 1940. the CR 32s were detached to Guidonia. From September the unit joined 56 Stormo. and took 45 G 50s and six Ca 133s to Belgium. Low range capability kept them from being more active in this theatre and several pilots suffered from severe frostbite due to lack of cockpit heating. However, escorts and sweeps were carried out over Ramsgate and Harwich, but without much opposition. The main sweeps were made over Margate and Folkestone by the CR 42s of 18 Gruppo. especially on 23 November. The Germans referred to the unit as 20/JG 56. After the main CAI units had left for Italy. 352 and 353 sq remained for patrols along the Dutch. Belgian and French coasts as far as Calais, until April.

With the Italian forces under pressure in Libya, the unit was rushed straight to the front there. It was about this time 351 sq went to 155 Gruppo and was replaced by 151 sq. During the Spring of 1941 they protected the troops and supply columns, and made local intercepts. Like most units they suffered from the sand, until filters could be fitted. In July they escorted 209 sq in attacks on Tobruk.

For the rest of 1941 they made many armed recces and escorted the dive-bombers, sometimes jointly with the Germans. On 19 November a commando raid on Sidi Rezegh cost them 18 G 50s. and five more on 22 December at Agedabia. With virtually no aircraft left they returned to Italy in the new year.

They now rejoined 51 Stormo. which had been disbanded from September 1940 to 1 January 1942. Receiving the MC 202 in March, the unit was then ordered to Sicily for operations around Malta, starting in June. On 21 March 1943 they were at Ciampino. receiving the third prototype G 55 for operational trials. The unit moved to Sardinia in May. where the G 55 successfully fought in several dogfights. During March the crews complained that the new' Macchis needed much modification to make them combat ready. Poor petrol quality and excessive oil loss caused problems. Hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems often caught fire. And the aircraft lacked radios!

Meanwhile, nine pre-production G 55s were taken on at Ciampino Sud. In June. 11 G 55/Is arrived and. together with the G 55/Os. were used by 353 sq for the defence of Rome from Ciampino Sud. The main unit was now at Foligno. On 5 August several aircraft and pilots were passed to 155 Gruppo.

On 23 August 151 and 352 sq went to Milis for interceptor duties, scoring well against USAAF P-40s. They were soon back at Foligno. where the unit also received a few MC 205 Vs. They were hoping to fully equip with G 55s. but no more arrived before the armistice. 353 sq was still detached at Ciampino. with 12 G 55s on 7 September.

   

 Flight Simulators
 

   IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' Blitz

   IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad

   DCS World - has no 3D model

 



Regia Aeronautica Aces (World War II)
Ace No of Kills
Teresio Vittorio Martinoli22 kills
Franco Lucchini22 kills (1 in Spain)
Leonardo Ferrulli21 kills (1 in Spain)
Franco Bordoni-Bisleri19 kills
Luigi Gorrini19 kills
Mario Visintini17 kills
Ugo Drago17 kills
Mario Bellagambi14 kills
Luigi Baron14 kills
Luigi Gianella12 kills
Attilio Sanson12 kills
Willy Malagola11 Kills
Carlo Magnaghi11 kills
Angelo Mastroagostino11 kills
Giorgio Solaroli di Briona11 kills
Mario Veronesi11 kills
Fernando Malvezzi10 kills
Giulio Reiner10 kills
Giuseppe Robetto10 kills
Carlo Maurizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa10 kills
Massimo Salvatore10 kills
Claudio Solaro10 kills
Ennio Tarantola10 kills
Giulio Torresi10 kills
Adriano Visconti10 kills

 

 Italy Map

 

    Fiat CR.42 Falco Bibliography:

  • Apostolo, Giorgio. Fiat CR 42, Ali e Colori 1 (in Italian/English). Torino, Italy: La Bancarella Aeronautica, 1999. No ISBN.
  • Apostolo, Giorgio. Fiat CR 42, Ali d'Italia 1 (in Italian/English). Torino, Italy: La Bancarella Aeronautica, 1998. No ISBN.
  • Avions militaires 1919-1939 - Profils et Histoire (in French). Paris: Hachette, Connaissance de l'histoire, 1979.
  • Beale, Nick, Ferdinando D'Amico and Gabriele Valentini. War Italy: 1944-45. Shrewbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-85310-252-0.
  • Boyne, Walter J. Scontro di Ali (in Italian). Milano: Mursia, 1997. ISBN 88-425-2256-2.
  • Carr, John, On Spartan Wings, Barnsley, SY: Pens & Sword Military, 2012. ISBN 978-1-84884-798-9.
  • Cull, Brian and Frederick Galea. Gladiators over Malta: The Story of Faith, Hope and Charity. Malta: Wise Owl Publication, 2008. ISBN 978-99932-92-78-4.
  • De Marchi, Italo. Fiat CR.42 Falco (in Italian). Modena, Italy: Stem Mucchi, 1994. No ISBN.
  • Forslund, Mikael. J 11, Fiat CR 42 (in Swedish with English summary). Falun, Sweden: Mikael Forslund Production, 2001. ISBN 91-631-1669-3.
  • Gustavsson, Håkan and Ludovico Slongo. Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2. Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford /New York, Osprey Publishing, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84603-427-5.
  • Gustavsson, Håkan and Ludovico Slongo. GLADIATOR vs. CR.42 FALCO 1940-41. Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford /New York, Osprey Publishing, 2012. ISBN 978-1-84908-708-7.
  • Gustavsson, Håkan. "South African Air Force use of the Fiat CR.32 and CR.42 during the Second World War." Håkans aviation page, 9 April 2009. Retrieved: 13 April 2009.
  • Haining, Peter. The Chianti Raiders: The Extraordinary Story Of The Italian Air Force in The Battle Of Britain. London: Robson Books, 2005. ISBN 1-86105-829-2.
  • Kopenhagen, W. Das große Flugzeug-Typenbuch (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Transpress, 1987. ISBN 3-344-00162-0.
  • Lambert, John W. "The 14th Fighter Group in World War II". Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History, 2008. ISBN 0-76432-921-9.
  • Lucas, Laddie, ed. Wings of War: Airmen of All Nations Tell their Stories 1939-1945. London: Hutchinson, 1983. ISBN 0-09-154280-4.
  • Massimello, Giovanni and Giorgio Apostolo. Italian Aces of World War 2. Oxford / New York: Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-84176-078-0.
  • Neulen, Hans Werner. In the skies of Europe - Air Forces allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-799-1.
  • Pacco, John. "Fiat CR.42" Belgisch Leger/Armee Belge: Het militair Vliegwezen/l'Aeronautique militaire 1930-1940 (in French). Artselaar, Belgium, 2003, pp. 66–69. ISBN 90-801136-6-2.
  • Pagani, Flaminio. Ali d'aquila Duelli Aerei nei Cieli d'Europa 1936-1943 (in Italian). Milano: Mursia, 2007.
  • Punka, George. Fiat CR 32/CR 42 in Action (Aircraft Number 172). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal, 2000. ISBN 0-89747-411-2.
  • "S.C." (in Italian). Il Messaggero Roma, 12 July 1984.
  • Sgarlato, Nico. Fiat CR.42 (in Italian). Parma, Italy: Delta Editrice, 2005.
  • Skulski, Przemysław. Fiat CR.42 Falco. Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2007. ISBN 83-89450-34-8.
  • Sutherland, Jon and Diane Canwell. Air War East Africa 1940-41 The RAF versus the Italian Air Force. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen and Sword Aviation, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84415-816-4.
  • Taylor, John W.R. "Fiat CR.42." Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.
  • Thomas, Andrew. Gloster Gladiator Aces. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-289-X.
  • Vossilla, Maggiore. "Pilota Ferruccio, comandante 18° Gruppo C.A.I (in Italian)." Prima Battaglia Aerea Relazione giornaliera Ministero dell'Aeronautica, 11 Novembre 1940.
  • Wheeler, Barry C. The Hamlyn Guide to Military Aircraft Markings. London: Chancellor Press, 1992. ISBN 1-85152-582-3.
  • Winchester, Jim. "Fiat CR.42." Aircraft of World War II (The Aviation Factfile). Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-639-1.

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_CR.42
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_CR.42
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco.htm
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_belgium.htm The Fiat CR.42 in the Belgian Air Force
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_hungary.htm The Fiat CR.42 in the Hungarian Air Force
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_sweden.htm The Fiat CR.42 in the Swedish Air Force

 

Send Mail  
Please help us to improve these articles with any additional information or photo's. 
If you should encounter any bugs   broken links,  or display errors just email us.

If you love our website please add a like on facebook

Please donate so we can make this site even better !!

 

 

This webpage was updated 21st December 2021

-xxx-