Carlo Bongiovanni

Trento, 1912-the skies of Šibenik, 1941

World War II: Fighters

A sportsman, mountaineer and ski champion, after obtaining a degree in engineering (1935), he enlists in the Italian Royal Air Force (1936). In 1937 he volunteers to fight in Spain with the 15th Fighter Group ‘La Cucaracha’ (Fiat CR.32). After 138 missions and five enemy aircraft downed, he returns to Italy (late 1938). Promoted to sergeant on active duty (SPE), in June 1940 he carries out several incursions on Toulon. After training on Junker Ju.87 (Stuka), he is assigned to the 239th Bombing Squadrilla (November 1940) alongside Marco Larcher. He dies on 12 April 1941, shot down by the Yugoslav anti-aircraft artillery. One commemorative Silver Medal of Military Valor, two War Crosses of Military Valor.