Guido Bettinazzi

Arco, 1895-Campomarino, 1918

World War I: Bombers

Guido Bettinazzi was born in Arco (Trento) on 27 June 1895. In March 1915 he moved to Italy and enrolled in the faculty of chemistry and pharmacy at the University of Rome. Volunteer in the Royal Army at the entry of Italy into the Great War under the pseudonym of ‘Guido Caserotti’, in June 1915 he was assigned to the 82nd Infantry Regiment (Turin Brigade) then moving on to the 52nd Infantry Regiment (Alps Brigade). Appointed second lieutenant, he was transferred to the 80th Infantry Regiment (Roma Brigade) but in April 1916 he entered the Malpensa Aviation School (Varese). In November 1916 he joined the Air Force Battalion, first in Busto Arsizio and then in Gallarate. Instructor of American pilots in Foggia, in February 1918 he was promoted to lieutenant. On August 17, 1918 he died as a result of injuries sustained in an emergency landing that took place the day before in Campomarino, near Perugia.