Maurizio Pagliano

Porto Maurizio, 1890-Susegana, 1917

World War I: Bombers

During WWI, he conducts numerous actions with Luigi Gori (8th and 1st Bombing Squadrillas) against enemy headquarters, bases and cities (Pola, Cattaro). Both chosen by D’Annunzio for a raid on Vienna – that never took place because of the Caporetto debacle and the retreat of the front to the Piave – the pair continues operating at the controls of their Caproni Ca.33 ‘Ace of Spades’. On 30 December 1917 Captain Pagliano takes off with another seven aircraft to hit the Godega di Sant’Urbano airport. Identified by the ace Benno Fiala von Fernbrugg, he is downed above Susegana, and Gori and two gunners die with him. Four Gold Medals and one Bronze Medal of Military Valor.