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The rather concise report refers of a patrol headed (?) by Umberto Calvello, who in November 1917 was still posted at 251a Squadriglia at Venice-Sant' Andrea (Stazione Idrovolanti di S.Andrea-Venezia) with the rank of Guardiamarina
.Well,here is what is reported on the 251a Squadriglia's diary about Calvello's operational activity during November 1917 (as for the other machines involved in the missions I cite of course just those of 251a).
Nov 2 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs Torp. E. Fantaguzzi) with three other flying boats (L3,L8,L10) on a recoinassance patrol over the mouths of the Tagliamento river.
Nov 5 - Macchi L3 "L3" (obs Ten.Oss.V.Gavino of the R.E.) with three other flying boats (L2,L11,L7) on a bombing-strafing mission of enemy troops at Latisana.
Nov 6 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs.V.Gavino) on a lone recoinassance-bombing mission over Latisana.
Nov 14 - Having left S.Andrea on 09.30 a.m. flying Macchi L3 "L9" (obs.STV L.D'Orso) with three other machines (L7,L8,L11) on a research mission of enemy torpedoboats.Calvello and D'Orso discover the enemy ships and bomb them (the A-H units were later again bombed by other flying boats).
Nov 15 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs.E.Fantaguzzi) with flying boat "L11"on a recoinassance patrol over Cortellazzo and central Adriatic.
Nov 16 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs.V.Gavino) with four other machines (L7,L8,L11,L3)on a bombing mission on the Grisolera bridge.
Later the same morning, still flying L9, Calvello and obs E.Fantaguzzi with four other flying boats crews (L3,L11,L7,L8) attack an enemy light naval group proceeding offf the coast.
Nov 17 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs E.Fantaguzzi) with Macchi "L11" on a research mission above the sea of a missing friend flying boat.
Nov 20 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs.V.Gavino) with Macchi "L3" on a recoinassance patrol above the sea.
Nov 21 - Same.The other Macchi being the "L3" (Odierna,Sordi)
Nov 23 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs V.Gavino) with Macchi "L11" on a recoinassance -bombing mission towards Pola.
Nov 27 - Macchi L3 "L9" (obs E.Fantaguzzi) with five other machines (L12,L7,L11,L8, L1) on a bombing mission over the Grisolera bridge.
Nov 30 - Macchi "L9" (obs E.Fantaguzzi) takes off at 07.10 a.m. with three other machines (L1,L3,L11). "L9" and "L11" heads towards Caorle while the others towards Punta Maestra.
Encounters of Italian flyin boats with British machines were not an impossible case.For example I have a copy of a well detailed 1918 report by T.V. Bologna describing an encounter with three British aircraft,one of wich attacked him (it was marked with a "C").On the other hand such an encounter does seem to me quite strange in November 1917, being the British very new to the Italian front and thus certainly not inclined to fly far from their bases.
VBR
AGO
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