Italy v. England - Air to air

[trackend]

I don't need reminding Kiwimac
The British did'nt actually believe the propaganda and thought that of the Italians. (it was tanks anyway 3 forward and 10 reverse), what did become apparent was that large numbers of Italian troops did not favour Mussolini and so where selective in their application of force against the enemy however the Italian mountain troops and their naval divers where amongst the elite units of WW2.
As for the teeth thing Dave that is not propaganda
Imagine the scenario two units one British army commandos one United States Rangers.
Night attack. creepy creepy towards the enemy.
Suddenly a search light scans the area commandos black and manky teeth blend effortlessly into the night while US gleaming gnashers light up like cats eyes. Bingo position compromised Ranges wiped out all because of dental hygiene

[evangilder]

[FLYBOYJ]

I don't know about you guys, but I think given the chance, this guy would of wiped out the whole Italian AF in 30 days!

SCREWBALL GEORGE - WHAT A CHARACTER

Buzz Beurling, Canada's leading WWII ace. His skill in a cockpit was, however, matched with a streak of rebelliousness and disrespect for authority. He had two nicknames: "Buzz" for his habit of unauthorized low-level flying and "Screwball" for his erratic behavior. At one point he even designed his own uniform!

32 total kills, In 14 days of combat on Malta against the Italians, he destroyed 27 enemy planes, damaged eight, and probably destroyed three more.

[DAVIDICUS]

The Italians fielded many really poor, obsolete aircraft like the Fiat CR-42's (a biplane) and Re-2000's.


The "Falcon of Malta" flew a Spitfire. Definitely no contest there. Not that he didn't also shoot down his share of MC-202's. He was a confident and daring pilot.

From: http://www.constable.ca/beurling.htm

"Beurling waxed hot and cold on his Italian opponents. In a 1943 interview he referred to the Italians as 'ice-cream merchants', saying

'The Eyeties are comparatively easy to shoot down. Oh, they're brave enough. In fact, I think the Eyeties have more courage than the Germans, but their tactics aren't so good. They are very good gliders, but they try to do clever acrobatics and looping. But they will stick it even if things are going against them, whereas the Jerries will run.'"

He shot down Italy's top ace who was flying a Macchi Mc-202 Veltro depicted below.

[Nonskimmer]

Shot his head right off with a cannon shell, I read somewhere.

[pbfoot]

as far as i can see he shot down no biplanes but 4 x 190s . 17x 109 8 maachi 202 and 2xju 88 and was probably the best deflection shot of ww2 he was kicked out of rcaf in late 44

[DAVIDICUS]

Nonskimmer said, "Shot his head right off with a cannon shell, I read somewhere."

That was actually the pilot of a Cant bomber. The plane actually made it back to base even with its engine taken out. The bomber aimer/observer brought it back!

[Nonskimmer]

Uh...yeah...I knew that... :-"

Yes, you're right. I read that in a bio not five minutes ago. Oops.

[pbfoot]

i was given to understand it was a maachi 202 and his report read fired 4 rounds thru cockpit and the armorers counted the rounds used and it coincided

[Nonskimmer]

Ah. I just reread a couple of different bios. He'd been haunted (supposedly) by a dream in which he blew off an Italian fighter pilot's head with a cannon shot. That's what I was thinking of earlier.

[mosquitoman]

The 5 Series weren't available in enough numbers though

[DAVIDICUS]

pbfoot said, "i was given to understand it was a maachi 202 and his report read fired 4 rounds thru cockpit and the armorers counted the rounds used and it coincided"

I am relying on the account as set out in the website I referenced. That sortie, as the story goes, clearly involved more than four rounds being fired.

"On July 6 he got to put into practice what he had learned when 8 Spits were sent to intercept 3 Italian Cant bombers heading for Malta. They were escorted by no less than 30 Macchi 200 fighters. Beurling led the assault diving straight through the Macchi formations and pulling up to fire on a big, Cant bomber. His first burst hit the pilot blowing off his head, the second took out an engine. Despite the damage, it made it back to base in Sicily flown by the bomber aimer/observer. Beurling turned quickly and fired directly into an Italian fighter, knocking it down in flames. He lined up another Italian fighter but it dove sharply to get away. Beurling followed all the way from 20,000 feet to 5,000. The Italian had no choice but to pull up and George caught him square in his sights. The Macchi blew up."

Perhaps he had a penchant for blowing off pilots heads and you are referring to a different event.

[Nonskimmer]

Well, they didn't call the man "Screwball" for nothing.

[mosquitoman]

He must have been mental!

[DAVIDICUS]

Ninskimmer, is that gentleman on your avatar a relative? What's the story?