The Comando Aviazione for this
expeditionary force was formed on 25 July 1941.They were to support the Italian
8th Army in its advance to the River Don and operations in southern Russia.
Where necessary, they also assisted the Germans, receiving commendations from
General Messe and the local German commanders for covering the assault over the
Don. After the retreat from Stalingrad began, the air contingent withdrew to
Italy in January 1943. In 17 months the two fighter Gruppi had flown over 6,000
sorties, claiming 88 kills for the loss of 19.
22
GRUPPO CT
Flying through Romania to what was to be a
relatively successful campaign, despite the bitter weather and harsh
conditions. For this, the Russian front, they received an additional
squadriglia, 371 from 157 Gruppo. The numbers of unit aircraft sent were 51 MC
200s, 2 SM 81s, and 3 Ca 133s. The latter joined at Krivoi Rog on the 26th then
they moved to Stalino. Two were lost by March 1942, and were not replaced as
they were found to be inferior to the companion SM 81s and newly arrived SM
73s.
In the first combat, on 27 August, the
Gruppo claimed six SB-2 bombers and two 1-16 fighters. Intercepts and escorts
for reconnaissance aircraft were the early duties. Bad weather restricted the
number of sorties and by October they were ordered to give direct support to
the ground forces as well.
On 9 November 371 Sq was detached to
Stalino, exchanging with 359 Sq on 1 December. They in turn were replaced by
369 Sq on the 28th. On 18 February 1942362 Sq replaced them, followed by 371 Sq
again on 24 March. Between September 1941 and March 1942 the unit downed 14
Russian fighters plus several bombers, for no loss.
Between 5 March and 3 May the Gruppo joined
the German Nahkampfführer Stalino to
escort German aircraft, mainly Ju 87s, over the Don front. Fighter sweeps and
ground strafing were also undertaken. The unit earned a German commendation for
their assistance in this area. However, the crews were by now showing signs of
strain from their constant battles with the elements and the enemy, so they
were recalled to Italy on 7 May. Their aircraft were passed to the incoming 21
Gruppo.
21
GRUPPO CT
Between March and July 1942 the unit
personnel moved to Stalino, replacing 22 Gruppo as the fighter component of the
Russian Expeditionary Force. They received that unit's surviving aircraft in
addition to the ten new MC 200s they had brought with them. In early June 361
Sq arrived from the Aegean.
On 27 June two squadriglie were detached to
Borvenkovo to cover the crossing of the River Don at Izyum, carrying out
fighter sweeps and ground strafing. Using Voroscilovgrad as their main base,
squadriglie were detached where needed most. Two went to Tazinskaj a as escorts
to German Ju 87Ds from 24 July, and two then went to Oblivskaja four days
later. In August two were on intercept duties at Millerovo and one was at
Kantamirovka until 18 December when it moved to Starobelsk.
It was on 12December that Tenente Walter
Benedetti led seven MC200s of 361 Sq from Kantamirovka to attack Russian troops
attempting to surround units of the Italian 8th Army, who were defending the
approaches to Stalingrad. It seems that the officer was downed by antiaircraft
fire, but it is known that the Yak 9s of the 586th Regiment, under Commander T.
Kazarinova, were making their first appearances in the area and so may have
caused the loss of this highly experienced and decorated pilot. The weather was
icy cold and a freezing mist covered the low altitude. The superb view from the
open cockpit Macchi may have been countered by the icy blast and poor weather,
and allowed one or more Yaks to attack unnoticed while the Italians
concentrated on strafing the troops below.
Reunited back at Voroscilovgrad by the end
of December, the last operation was carried out on 17 January 1943 over the
Millerovo area. Five days later they retired to Stalino, ready for the return
journey home. Fifteen unserviceable aircraft were left behind.
During September they had received 12MC202s,
and later two photo-reconnaissance versions had arrived. Bad weather hindered
operations and the MC 202s only managed 17 sorties with no losses or claims.
The MC 200s claimed 88 Russian aircraft for the loss of the 15 writeoffs. A
creditable performance for an open-cockpit fighter in the Russian autumn and
winter. In February, at Odessa, the unit had 24 MC 200s and 9 MC 202s left.
61
GRUPPO OA
In July 119 Sq arrived and the following
month the Gruppo took 32 Ca 311s and an SM 82 to Russia. On 26 August 34 Sq
moved to Krivoi Rog. The others followed five days later. In October 128 Sq
used Saporoshje. On 16 November 119 Sq went to Stalino, closely followed by the
others. They began bombing duties from here, in addition to the reconnaissance
duties for the army. In the spring of 1942 the unit left its surviving Capronis
to the incoming 71 Gruppo at Stalino. During their tour in Russia, between
August 1941 and April 1942, they made 337 sorties in 686 hours and lost only
four aircraft.
71
GRUPPO OA
In the spring of 1942 the unit,Autonomo
since 13 May, came under 8 Armata and joined in supporting the advance into
Russia. They took over 61 Gruppo's Ca 311s at Stalino. During August and
September they received seven BR 20Ms,followed by five more in December. Most
of these went to 38 Sq, performing valuable photoreconnaissance work in the Don
area in August. At this time 116 Sq was detached to Kalinovskaja landing
ground, with a section of Ca 311s at Kantamirovka. Two Fi 156C liaison aircraft
were used from November.
By 18 December the Gruppo was fully
reunited at Voroscilovgrad with 17 BR 20Ms and 15 Ca 311s. Both 38 and 116 Sq
used a Ca 133S ambulance plane between September 1942 and April 1943.Two Ca
312s also arrived in 1942 for ambulance work, but were soon put on ordinary
transport duties. By February 1943 38 Sq had two and 116 Sq had three of these
types, along with a Ca 164 each.
Following the retreat across Russia the
unit returned to Italy, leaving all its surviving Capronis behind.
