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BUILT
MM23838, Capt. Carlo E. Buscaglia, 281
a
Squadriglia, 132
o
Gruppo AS, Gadurra, Rhodes, summer 1941
Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia started his military
career with the 50a Bomber Squadriglia and in
the ranks of 252a Sq., he took part in a combat
baptism, a raid on the port of Marseille, on June
21, 1940. His fame began to rise after training for
torpedo attacks and his subsequent assignment
to 278a Sq. operating from El Adem. Tenente
Buscaglia hit the heavy cruiser Kent, the light
cruiser Glasgow and several transport ships
during his stay with the unit. On March 5, 1941,
281a Squadriglia was formed, and Capitano
Buscaglia was appointed as commanding
officer, subsequently becoming CO of the 132o
Gruppo in early April 1942. On November 12, 1942,
a Sparviero flown by Buscaglia was shot down
by a Spitfire and Buscaglia was declared dead.
However, he survived with severe injuries and
burns and was transferred to a POW camp at
Fort Meade, MD. After the surrender of Italy,
Allies offered him command of the 28o Gruppo
Bombardemento. Ironically, his former 132o
Gruppo, now operating on the ANR side, was
renamed 1o Gruppo Aerosiluranti Buscaglia.
On August 23, 1944, Buscaglia crashed while
taking off. His Baltimore exploded and Buscaglia
succumbed to his injuries and burns the following
day.
INFO Eduard
103
April 2024