Biplane fighter aces

Italy

Sergente Maggiore Aldo Galadini

Decorations
Date Decoration Note
??/??/38 Medaglia d’argento al valor militare O.M.S.
??/??/40 Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare O.M.S.

Aldo Galadini was from Rome.

Sergente Galadini served as a volunteer in Spanish Civil War.

When the Nationalist attack on the Basque Country began in the end of March 1937, I Gruppo was moved north and 3a Squadriglia was stationed at Vitoria.
The 3a Squadriglia was commanded by Capitano Mario Viola (”Viotti”) who led the 1st Flight of five aircraft (with reserve pilots) usually including Tenente Luigi Mariotti, Ottorinio Cappellini, Giannoti (”Vitullo”), Curilli, Sartori and Romagnoli.
The 2nd Flight was led by Tenente Corrado Ricci and usually included (with reserve pilots) Tenente Giuseppe Mollo, Sergente Maggiore Guido Presel, Sergente Maggiore Brunetto di Montegnacco, Eugenio Salvi, Sergente Galadini, Bernardino Serafini and Guido Pongiluppi.

Sergente Galadini was decorated with the Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted in 1938) for his actions over Guadalajara on 14 March 1937:

"In fierce aerial combat against overwhelming enemy forces, he was wounded in the arm by a bullet. He did not abandon the fight, and, attacked by three aircraft, he shot down one and strafed the other two, demonstrating outstanding qualities as a pilot and fighter."
Sky over Guadalajara, 14 March 1937-XV.

In April 1937, XVI Gruppo ”Cucaracha” was formed and included 24a (formerly 4a), 25a (formerly 5a) and 26a (formerly 2a) Squadriglie.

Between 16:00-17:15 on 4 June 1937 on the Northern Front, ten CR.32s from 26a Squadriglia, led by Capitano Mario Viola flying between Amorebieta and the Murguia front at 5 000 meters altitude, clashed with 17 I-15s between the Republican Escuadrilla Baquedano’s two bases (San Juan de Somorrostro and Sondica). Italian pilots claimed to have shot down seven “Curtiss fighters” in the Sondica area without loss, Capitano Viola being credited with two individual victories, Sergente Maggiore Guido Presel one Sergente Maggiore Guido Pongiluppi (CR.32 NC.128) one, Sergente Italo De Bernardinis one, Sergente Maggiore Galadini one and Giannoti one.
Although both sides drastically overestimated their claims, Spanish I-15 pilot Marcelino Alonso Romero from Escuadrilla Baquedano did indeed lose his life during this encounter.

Sergente Galadini was decorated with the Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare (gazetted in 1940) for his actions over Spain between July and September 1937:

"Skilled and daring fighter pilot, who had already repeatedly distinguished himself previously, gave ample proof of his admirable qualities of courage and aggressiveness in many other combat actions and in four aerial engagements, during which he shot down two opponents in bold individual actions."
Sky of Spain, July-September 1937-XV.

Galadini ended the war with 1 biplane victory.

Claims:
Kill no. Date Time Number Type Result Plane type Serial no. Locality Unit
  1937                
1 04/06/37 16:00-17:15 1 I-15 (a) Destroyed Fiat CR.32   Sondica area 26a Squadriglia

Biplane victories: 1 destroyed.
TOTAL: 1 destroyed.
(a) 26a Squadriglia claimed 7 I-15s without losses but only 1 can be verified (pilot KiA).

Sources:
Aerial War in Spain: Chronicle of air battle 1936-1939 – Sergey Abrosov, 2008
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell’ A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 2 Volume M - Z
Guido Pongiluppi: Pilota Mantovano, Dal Cielo Di Campoformido A Quelli Di Spagna E Malta - Renato Zavattini and Antonio Inguscio, 2021 IBN Instituto Bibliografico Napoleone, ISBN 9788875655389




Last modified 05 November 2024