Italian Aviation Units in the First World War, Volume 1
By Matt Bittner
Author: Roberto Gentilli
Publisher: Aeronaut Books
ISBN: 978-1-953201-90-4
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 262
Way back in 1999, Roberto Gentilli published I Reparti dell'aviazione italiana nella Grande Guerra but it was all in Italian, so not easily accessbile for those that didn't understand the language. Now, Aeronaut Books has partnered with Roberto and brought out his publication, much expanded and this time in English. All total, there are five volumes to Italian Aviation Units in the First World War.
Volume 1 is mostly concerned with the structure of Italian Aviation during WWI, and then the last section of the book deals with primarily the Caproni squadrons. The book is broken up thusly:
- General Chronology
- Part 1: Preface
- Part 2: Introduction
- The Italian Air Force in the First World War
- The Aviation of the Regia Marina, Italy's Royal Navy
- Italian Aircraft Profiles courtesy Marco Gueli
- Part 3: The Gruppi
- Part 4: The Squadriglie up to April 1916
- Squadriglie da ricognizione e combattimento (Reconnaissance & Comba Squadrons)
- Squadriglie per l'artiglieria (Artillery Squadrons)
- Part 5: The Bomber Squadriglie from 15 April 1916
After discussing the structure of the Italian Air Force during WWI, then the book moves on to other areas, culminating with outlining the bomber squadrons.
And it's here where one sees just how important the bomber squadrons were, and how they fared well against the enemy. Time and time again, it is shown how the Capronis protected the crews and brought them home. Of course there were times when a particular aircraft didn't fare well against the enemy, but overall the bombers protected their crew. It is shown again and again that even with two of the three engines not working, the large aircraft still brought the crew home. Although I haven't read a lot about the other WWI air force's bomber squadrons and their outcome, I have come to think that the Italian bomber squadrons were some of the best during time of war.
My thanks goes to Aeronaut Books for sending this book for review. I am really looking forward to reading the other four volumes in this series.. Contact them direct for ordering information.