Biplane fighter aces

Italy

Generale S.A. Vittorio Minguzzi

5 March 1912 – 1977

Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

Decorations
Date Decoration Note
??/??/40 Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (1st) O.M.S.
??/??/42 Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (2nd) 1940-43
??/??/42 Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (3rd) 1940-43
??/??/51 Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (4th) 1940-43
??/??/42 Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare 1940-43
??/??/?? Croce al merito di guerra (1st) 1940-43
??/??/?? Croce al merito di guerra (2nd) 1940-43
??/??/?? Croce al merito di guerra (3rd) 1940-43
??/??/?? Croce al merito di guerra (4th) 1940-43
??/??/?? Croce al merito di guerra (5th) 1940-43
??/??/?? Medaglia commemorativa della campagna di Spagna (1936-1939) O.M.S.
??/??/?? Medaglia di benemerenza per i volontari della guerra Spagna O.M.S.

Vittorio Minguzzi was born on 5 March 1912 in Bagnacavallo (Ra).

He attended the Regia Aeronautica Academy’s Nibbio course (1933 - 1936).

On 1 October 1935, he was commissioned (in Servizio Permanente Effettivo).

He was posted to the 6o Stormo at Gorizia in 1936.

Gorizia 1937.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

In 1937 he became commander of the 153a Squadriglia and joined the acrobatic team that represented the Stormo.
He took part in several air shows among which was one in honour of Hitler in 1938, when the German leader visited Italy.

In June 1938, he volunteered for military service in the Spanish Civil War and was assigned to the XVI Gruppo as a Tenente.

Spain 1938.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

On 13 July, the first day of the offensive on Valencia, Nationalist fighter groups made two sorties without meeting any enemy aircraft.
During the second sortie, three Spanish He 51s were damaged and one was destroyed in a fourth attack, its pilot, teniente Rafael Serra Hamilton being killed when he was shot down by flak in the Tortosa area.
The Aviazione Legionaria were more successful, claiming four I-16s (or I-15s depending on source) and one SB over Sarrión, at the cost of one of their number. It seems that these claims were shared among 22 pilots and one of them was Sottotenente Elia Mussolin (32a Squadriglia)
At 09:30, Tenente Minguzzi (25a Squadriglia) claimed a shared I-15 over Albentosa. It is possible that this claim should be included in the claims above.

A probable I-15 was claimed over Venta de Camposines at 16:30 on 21 September.

At 16:00 on 23 September he claimed a shared I-16 over Corvera.

In October 1938 he was transferred to the XXIII Gruppo ’Asso di Bastoni’.
With this unit he flew a CR.32 coded “3-11” of the 19a Squadriglia.

He claimed his first victory when he claimed an I-16 over Fatarella at 15:30 on 8 October.

At 16:00 on 9 October he claimed a shared I-16 together with three other pilots over Ascò.

At 12:00 on 28 December he claimed two I-15s over Aspa.

Spain 1938.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

Three I-15s were claimed damaged at 11:30 on 13 January 1939 over Montblanch.

At 09:30 on 1 February, Tenente Minguzzi of the 19a Squadriglia claimed a shared I-16 together with three other pilots over Palamos.
It’s possible that Tenente Annibale Sterzi from the same unit claimed one I-16 in the same combat since he’s credited with one during the day.

At 09:50 on 5 February he claimed one Delphine and two I-16s destroyed on the ground at Villajuiga.

During the Spanish Civil War, he flew 127 sorties and took part in 11 air combats and 3 ground attack sorties.
He was credited with 3 and 4 shared victories, 1 probable and 3 destroyed on the ground.

At the end of the Spanish Civil War he was posted to the XXII Gruppo of the 52o Stormo based at Roma-Ciampino, acting as commander of the 359a Squadriglia with the rank of Capitano.


Two images from Ciampino in 1939.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

In the early 1940, the Stormo began the transition to Fiat G.50s.

In June 1940 he took part in the short campaign against France, performing 9 sorties from Pontedera airfield, mainly against Corsica.

In December 1940, the 22o Gruppo dismissed the 357a and 358a Squadriglie and became autonomus from the 52o Stormo.
In January 1941 the Gruppo included the 362a and 369a Squadriglie and began the transition to the Macchi MC.200.

In February 1941, the Gruppo moved to Tirana, as Gruppo Autonomo, to take part in the operations against Greece and Yugoslavia.

Tirana 1941.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

During the afternoon of 13 March Squadron Leader H. L. I. Brown led 14 Gladiators from 112 squadron and six of 33 Squadron's Hurricanes off from Paramythia for an offensive patrol over the Kelcyre area. Approaching Kelcyre at 15:30 on an altitude of 17,000 feet an estimated 14 S.79s were seen - aircraft from 104o Gruppo B.T. - with an escort identified as 20 G.50bis and 20 plus CR.42s.
Three of the Hurricanes attacked the mass of fighters, followed by the Gladiators, and many individual dogfights ensued. Squadron Leader Brown attacked the leading fighter of a flight of three, but it evaded him successfully. He then got on the tail of another, which turned and dived and eventually crashed; he claimed a G.50 and another damaged. Flight Lieutenant Joseph Fraser attacked a CR.42, which had not seen him. He reported that it burst into flames and crashed near Bousi. Two more were claimed destroyed by Flying Officer Homer Cochrane and Pilot Officer Jack Groves, while Pilot Officers Neville Bowker and D. G. H. McDonald each claimed a probable CR.42.
The Gladiators reformed, then spotted about 30 more CR.42s with 38o Stormo BR.20s. Seven of Flight Lieutenant Charles Fry’s ‘C’ Flight pilots went after the bombers, while Flight Lieutenant Fraser’s ‘A’ Flight tackled the fighters, claiming seven more shot down. Fraser attacked a CR.42, which flick-rolled and dived away. He followed it down and got in two long bursts after which the enemy aircraft levelled off and lost speed, with the pilot slumped forward in the cockpit. The aircraft then dived vertically into the ground north of Corovode. Fraser then climbed back up to 8,000 feet and got on the tail of another CR.42 firing at it continuously until it burst into flames and was destroyed. Fraser’s own aircraft was badly shot up, as was that of Pilot Officer Groves (after having claimed a second CR.42 and one damaged), but both managed to get back to base. Flying Officer Cochrane claimed two more CR.42s while Pilot Officer P. C. L. Brunton and Flying Officer E. H. Brown each claimed a CR.42.
The ‘G.50bis’ seem to have been 22o Gruppo Macchi MC.200s, 11 of which accompanied 18 CR.42s from the 160o Gruppo over the front. The Italian pilots claimed four Gladiators and one Hurricane shot down, losing just two CR.42s flown by Tenente Gualtiero Bacchi and Sottotenente Enzo Torroni (both from 375a Squadriglia), but no MC.200s. It seems that Capitano Minguzzi claimed a probable Gladiator in this combat.
Although no claims were made against the bombers on this occasion, several were in fact hit and damaged, a number of crewmen being wounded.
In his combat report Fraser commented that the CR.42 pilots always tried to flick-roll when attacked.

At 10:30 on 14 March three of 33 Squadron's Hurricanes were off with twelve Gladiators to escort 211 Squadron Blenheims to the Tepelene-Kelcyre area, where a large formation of Italian fighters was reported, variously identified by the Hurricane pilots as twelve CR.42s, twelve G.50bis and twelve MC.200s, and by the Gladiator pilots as 40-50 CR.42s and G.50bis. In addition, ten Z.1007bis and five BR.20s were seen - aircraft from 47o and 38o Stormo respectively. The opposing fighters were 16 MC.200s from the 22o Gruppo and twelve CR.42s of the 160o Gruppo reporting meeting 20 Gladiators and eight Hurricanes, escorting five Blenheims.
Flight Lieutenant Charles Fry and his flight attacked the bombers, Fry himself claiming a BR.20 shot down north of Kelcyre near the front line after having attacked three formations of enemy bombers. Flying Officer D. H. V. Smith claimed a damaged BR.20 (and a probable G.50). 'C' Flight led by Flight Lieutenant Joseph Fraser became involved in a swirling dogfight with the Italian monoplane fighters, claiming four shot down, four probables and a damaged. Sergeant 'Paddy' Donaldson claimed two, both of which dived away pouring smoke, while Flight Lieutenant Fraser was attacked head-on by one, but managed to evade this and get on its tail, his fire causing the aircraft to roll onto its back and the pilot to bale out. One Macchi shot the tail off N5916 and Squadron Leader H. L. I. Brown managed to bale out only with the greatest difficulty; Pilot Officer Neville Bowker's Gladiator was also damaged after having claimed a probable G.50, which was seen going down out of control. Pilot Officer P. C. L. Brunton attacked one and appeared to knock bits off it so that it went into a spiral dive with smoke coming from it. Other claims were made by Flying Officer R. J. Bennett (one G.50), Flying Officer Homer Cochrane (one G.50) and Pilot Officer Jack Groves (one probable G.50).
The Hurricanes also engaged the Macchis, 33 Squadron claming two shot down and two probables, but after believing that he had got one of these, Flying Officer Holman was himself shot down and had to bale out. Flight Sergeant Leonard Cottingham claimed one and one probable of the 'monoplanes' while Pilot Officer Starett claimed one probable..
The Italian pilots claimed two Hurricanes and two Gladiators shot down on this occasion. It seems that Capitano Minguzzi claimed one of the Hurricanes and a shared in one of the Gladiators during this combat. The 22o Gruppo lost Tenente Luigi Locatelli, who was killed, and Sergente Ferruccio Miazzo, who baled out, while Sottotenente Edgardo Vaghi's fighter was damaged. Gunners in one Cant Z.1007bis claimed one Gladiator shot down, and one bomber was damaged (reportedly by AA) returning with some of the crew wounded.

At 16:35 on 12 April, he fired on a Blenheim on the ground at Podgorica.

At 17:50 on 15 April, he fired on a Blenheim on the ground at Paramithia.

Between March and April 1941, Capitano Minguzzi flew 28 sorties with 3 air combats and 7 ground attack sorties over the Balkans.
He was credited with 1 and 1 shared destroyed and 1 probable and 9 destroyed on the ground.
The 22o Gruppo and its four squadriglie claimed over 40 aircraft destroyed on ground during attacks on Podgorica, Mostar and Paramithia airfields and it was awarded a Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare for bravery.

In July 1941, the 371a Squadriglia was assigned to the Gruppo to operate in Russia under the control of the CSIR.
The 22o Gruppo was transferred on 9 August with a force of 51 MC.200s, 3 C.133s and 2 S.81s. All aircraft transferred through Tirana, Belgrade, Bucharest and Tudora arriving on 12 August without losses. Especially remarkable was the take-off from Belgrade in rain and with all the 51 Macchis of the four Squadriglie lined up in a right echelon.

On 27 August 1941, the 22o Gruppo fought their first engagement in Russia when 17 Macchis covered the Italian Pasubio division of the CSIR in a mission between 15:00-18:30 over Dnjpropetrovsk-Nowomoskow.
Participating pilots were Capitano Enrico Meille, Maggiore Giovanni Borzoni, Capitano Minguzzi, Tenente Giovanni Cervellin, Tenente Carlo Miani, Tenente Giovanni Bonet, Tenente Pietro Durando, Tenente Michele Omicini, Tenente Dino Signorini, Tenente Giovanni Bond, Tenente Carlo Marchetto, Tenente Mario Longoni, Maresciallo Marcello Baracca, Maresciallo Rodolfo Stoppani, Maresciallo Marcello Lui, Sergente Lucio Biagin and Sergente Attilio Sanson.
At 17:15, they engaged Soviet fighters and bombers over Dnjpropetrovsk. Six SBs (reported as SB-2s) and two I-16s were claimed shot down with additional two SBs and two I-16s claimed as probably shot down. One of the SBs claimed as shot down was claimed by Capitano Minguzzi of 359a Squadriglia.

Russia October 1941.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

Following the advance of the troops, Capitano Minguzzi’s 359a Squadriglia moved to the airfields of Tudora, Krivoj Rog and Shaporeshje.
On 9 December 1941 the squadriglia moved to the advanced airfield at Stalino where it alone took part in the so called "Christmas battle" (25-29 December), being credited with 15 victories, but ending with only four MC.200s combat ready.

At dawn on 25 December, the Italian lines were attacked by Soviet troops and Italian fighters flew in support of the ground troops.
At 08:50, Capitano Minguzzi lead a section of C.200s from the 359a Squadriglia. Over Bulawa they intercepted Soviet fighters and five of them were claimed shot down without losses. Minguzzi claimed one of them (as an I-180).

On 26 December, the six airworthy C.200s took off from the new base of Stalino led by Capitano Minguzzi, but they had to make a forced landing because they had lost their way, trapped as they were in a blanket of fog and mist.
A few hours later it was again the stubborn Minguzzi who took off with only three C.200s to attack a long column of armoured vehicles, at whose sides marched lines of men in battle gear. The men were slaughtered and the equipment and vehicles thoroughly destroyed in the attack from the air. The survivors ran off in all directions or flung themselves to the ground.

Shortly before noon on 28 December, the C.200s intercepted Soviet aircraft between Timofejevskiy and Polska. Nine Soviet aircraft were claimed shot down; six by the 359a Squadriglia and three by the 369a Squadriglia. Capitano Minguzzi claimed two I-16s over Timofejevskiy at 11:20 and 11:40.

In the evening on 28 December, Capitano Giorgio Iannicelli reached Stalino airfield with two other C.200s from the 369a Squadriglia. Capitano Iannicelli had been appointed as temporary commander of the 22o Gruppo following the return to Italy of the full-time commander on 12 December.
At 11:50 on 29 December, three C.200s from 359a Squadriglia and two from the 369a Squadriglia took off towards the frontline led by Capitano Iannicelli. They attacked three I-16s that were attacking the Italian positions. After a short a fierce combat, one of the Russian aircraft was shot down. Tenente Pietro Durando’s C.200, whose engine had been hit, was just able to make it back to Stalino airfield.
In the afternoon, Capitano Iannicelli decided, as a result of a discussion that he had had at the mess, that it would be best to return to the part of the frontline that was being subjected to a pounding from the VVS. Thus he placed himself at the head of three C.200s together with Capitano Minguzzi and Tenente Walter Benedetti. The three C.200s were all that the ground personnel were able to start up.
On returning from the lines, the small Italian formation intercepted some SBs, one of which was immediately shot down, but two I-16 patrols dived down from above just when Iannicelli remained alone in the sky. In fact, Tenente Benedetti’s aircraft had been had been hit in the first exchange of fire and Capitano Minguzzi had run out of ammunition. This left Iannicelli alone with the attacking I-16s. In a hard combat against a reported 20 fighters (reported as “Ratas” and Super Ratas”), Capitano Iannicelli was shot down near Bowolin and killed; he was awarded a posthumously Medaglia d’oro al valor militare.
Capitano Minguzzi, was appointed temporary commander of the 22o Gruppo.

On 4 February 1942, nine C.200s from the 359a and 369a Squadriglie took off from Stalino airfield at 11:00 to attack a Soviet airfield, Krasnyi Liman. Ten Soviet aircraft were claimed destroyed on the ground and six others were claimed as damaged. Above the base, the Macchis faced five I-16s of which three were claimed shot down; one of the by Capitano Minguzzi. The C.200s returned to base without loss.

On 5 February, Krasnyi Liman was again attacked by the same units. This time eleven Soviet aircraft were claimed destroyed on the ground. Again, Soviet I-16s scrambled and two of them were claimed shot down; Capitano Minguzzi claimed one of them at 07:20.

Minguzzi left the temporary command of the 22o Gruppo on 14 February 1942.

In the afternoon on 24 February 1942, six Macchis from 362a (Giulio Torresi and Tenente Frank Passerini), 369a (Tenente Renato Gori) and 359a Squadriglie (Capitano Minguzzi, Tenente Giovanni Bonet and Sottotenente Arrigo Pederzoli), went for a patrol mission over the front. Over Alexandrowka they encountered a group of Soviet fighters (identified in the Squadriglie’s logbooks as not-well-specified "J-200s", but probably LaGGs or MiGs). At the end of the dogfight the Italians claimed jointly two fighters destroyed for no losses.
According to some sources they claimed one shared damaged and one shared probable.

On 28 February, a mixed formation from the 362a Squadriglia (Capitano Germano La Ferla, Tenente Giovanni Beduz, Tenente Oberdan Militano, Tenente Giulio Torresi and Tenenente Frank Passerini), 369a Squadriglia (Capitano Giovanni Cervellin, Tenente Walter Benedetti, Sottotenente Giuseppe Biron and Maresciallo Romano Pesavento) and 359a Squadriglia (Capitano Minguzzi) led by the 22o Gruppo’s CO, Maggiore Giuseppe D’Agostinis (on his first mission over the Eastern front) flew a fighter sweep. At 15:00, they intercept ten Soviet fighters identified as "I-26s" (probably Yak-1s) and "I-27s" (probably Yak-7s at 4,500 meters over Alexandrowka. Two "I-26s" were claimed as shared by the pilots from 362a and 369a Squadriglie together with Maggiore D’Agostinis. Capitano Minguzzi claimed one and one probable "I-27". Two C.200s were damaged in the combat but managed to return to Stalino airfield.

He operated from Stalino with the 359a Squadriglia until 5 March 1942, facing a hard struggle in the Russian winter with snow storms, Siberian winds, iced ground and temperatures in the order of -54o C.

Capitano Minguzzi’s 359a Squadriglia returned with the 22o Gruppo to Italy before the transformation of CSIR into ARMIR. In fact, the Squadriglia was the first to leave Stalino airfield on 12 March. They left their worn-out C.200s in Russia and was replaced by the 21o Gruppo.
The 22o Gruppo flew 68 missions, took part in 19 air combats and flew 11 ground attack missions in Russia.
The Gruppo was credited with 66 destroyed, 16 probables and 45 damaged and awarded a Medaglia d’argento al valor militare.

Russia 1942.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

Until March 1942 Minguzzi was credited 8 (according to his logbook) and 33 shared victories, 3 and 13 shared destroyed on the ground, 1 locomotive, about 20 armoured cars and carriages.

The 22o Gruppo was then posted to Napoli-Capodichino, and equipped with the Reggiane Re.2001 to be used in the role as fighter-bomber. At Naples airbase Minguzzi took command over the 22o Gruppo, first as Capitano IGS then full command with the rank of Maggiore.

The 22o Gruppo (359a, 362a and 369a Squadriglie) flew naval escorts and then took part in the “battle of mid-August” before being sent to Sicily to take part in the offensive in October 1942 against Malta.

The unit was then sent to Sardinia to counteract Operation Torch.

During this period, Minguzzi flew 28 sorties and took part in 2 air combats and 4 bombing sorties.

Having been struck by a typhoid infection on 13 November 1942 he was admitted to hospital where he stayed until January 1943 when he retook command of the 22o Gruppo at Napoli-Capodichino, where the Gruppo had the task of defending the city and the port.
The Gruppo was organised now into four Squadriglie (359a, 362a, 369a and 371a Squadriglie) operating a mixed complement of aircraft; Macchi C.202s, Re.2001s, MC.200s and CR.42s for night flying.
In the end of February the 359a Squadriglia also received eight Dewoitine D.520s

Minguzzi was promoted to Maggiore on 2 February 1943.

On 1 March 1943, 20 B-24s from the 98th BG and nine from the 376th BG took off to attack Naples harbour. Seven returned early, but two from the 376th BG were attacked over Messina by a MC.200 of the 161o Gruppo and were forced to return to base, escorted by a third. The 19 remaining delivered their bombs on target around 16:30 hitting and sinking the Italian torpedo-boat Monsone, the German transport Roha (1,388 tons) and two smaller vessels (Eugenio and Pierangela). B-24D 41-23789/’K’ Thunderbird from 415th BS, 98th BG, was shot down by fighters and the pilot 1st Lieutenant Virgil M. Anders and his crew of eight became MiA.
Over Naples they were intercepted by 22 fighters from the 22o Gruppo (eleven MC.202s, ten MC.200s and one D.520), which claimed three B-24s shot down at 17:35. Maggiore Minguzzi, (CO 22o Gruppo) claimed one probable (later upgraded to destroyed) over Capri in the Dewoitine D.520 from 362a Squadriglia (this was probably the first Italian claim using this type), Tenente Riccardo Monaco (371a Squadriglia) claimed one destroyed at 17:35 in a MC.202 and Tenente Giulio Torresi (362a Squadriglia) claimed a third as a shared with other pilots in a MC.202.
Two MC.202s returned damaged but Tenente Monaco (371a Squadriglia) in MM9055 and Sottotenente Ezio Dell’Acqua (359a Squadriglia) were safe. A third MC.202 force-landed after combat but Sottotenente Gino Ferracini (369a Squadriglia) was also safe.
Leutnant Rudi Dassow, who was taking part in training on the Me 210 of 7./ZG 1, also took part in the interception and was credited with a probable B-24 for which he received an Italian decoration.

The Gruppo received the prototype of the Re.2005 (MM494) and Minguzzi made the first flight with this aircraft on 7 March 1943. He continued together with the most able pilots in the Gruppo to fly this aircraft until 23 March and they all had a very favourable and enthusiastic impression of this aircraft.
He then brought it to Napoli-Capodichino where it was incorporated into 362a Squadriglia but remained at the deposition of the Gruppo commander.

On 24 March, he made the first scramble take-off with the Re.2005 when Naples was attacked.

On 2 April, he claimed a B-24 over the Isle of Ischia.
This claim has yet to be verified with the corresponding USAAF losses.

During April 362a Squadriglia received three more Re.2005s from the “0-serie” (MM092344 (362-1?), MM092345 (362-2) and MM092346 (362-3)).
The number of Re.2005s in the 22o Gruppo were never to exceed eight.

At 13:30 on 28 April 22o Gruppo scrambled four Re.2005s, eleven MC.202s and one Dewoitine D.520 from Capodichino to intercept a large group of Liberators, escorted by thirty fighters, which were out to bomb Naples. The Re.2005s were flown by Maggiore Minguzzi (Re.2005 "362" MM494), Capitano Germano La Ferla ("362-1" MM092344), Tenente Giulio Torresi ("362-2" MM092345) and Sergente Donati, ("362-3" MM092346).
At 7000 metres they intercepted a reported 30 B-24s flying in two sections each composed of three flights of five bombers. The 22o Gruppo claimed one B-24 (by Minguzzi) and 4 probables, (one was later confirmed by ground observer and credited to Donati). Ten more was claimed as shared damaged by the whole Gruppo.
Minguzzi’s aircraft was subsequently hit in the cooling system and he had to make an emergency landing at Capodichino without further damage on his aircraft.
They returned to base at 14.45.

Two more Re.2005s arrived on 15 May.

On 21 June he took part in four scrambles and the unit claimed totally 6 probable B-24s shot down and 10 damaged of which Minguzzi claimed two damaged.
Two bombers were later confirmed as destroyed but by unknown pilots.

On 10 July the unit was deployed to Sicily with eight Re.2005s in the defence of the Allied landings on the island but four days later all aircraft were out of service and they soon returned to the mainland and the defence of Rome.

On 16 July the Gruppo received two Re.2005s but none were able to operate against the formations which bombed Rome on 19 July. Maggiore Minguzzi took part in three scrambles and the Gruppo claimed only 11 bombers damaged.

He made a scramble take-off with a Re.2005 (MM495 – the second prototype) from Capua at 14.20 on 20 July. During the climb the engine caught fire. He put the aircraft into a dive to try to put out the fire before trying an emergency landing. In an attempt to reduce speed he guided the aircraft onto the top of a row of poplar trees before landing the aircraft on its belly in the clearing bellow. The impact was very violent and the aircraft disintegrated but the pilot survived.
He was hospitalised at Aversa hospitla and this was the end of his combat flying in the Regia Aeronautica.


Remnants of Re.2005 MM495 in which Minguzzi crashed on 20 July 1943.
Image kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.

The period of the defence of Naples had been very hard and Manguzzi had been flying MC.200s, MC.202s. D.520s and Re.2005s. He had often been flying with Sergente Maggiore Biagini. During this period, he was credited with 3 and 6 shared four-engined bombers and 11 probables. These were claimed in 36 sorties and 8 air combats.

After the Italian capitulation on 8 September, he joined the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force as a flying instructor on P-39 Airacobras and A-187 Baltimores at Campo Vesuvio e Gaudo. He also served as flying school Director at Frosinone.

During the war, he was decorated with several foreign decorations. He was also rewarded with one higher rank promotion and one advancement in the promotion list.

Vittorio Minguzzi claimed 3 biplane victories and a total of 15 during the Second World War.
Between 1 June 1938 and 20 July 1943, he flew 1051 hours of operational flying, took part in 296 sorties, 34 air combats and 24 bombing and ground attack sorties.

At the end of the war in June 1945 he was promoted to Tenente Colonnello and continued his service in the Italian Air Force where he reached the highest rank before retiring in 1970.

Vittorio Minguzzi passed away in 1977.

Claims:
Kill no. Date Time Number Type Result Plane type Serial no. Locality Unit
  1938                
  13/07/38 09:30 1/? I-15 Shared destroyed Fiat CR.32   Albentosa 25a Squadriglia
  21/09/38 16:30 1 I-15 Probable Fiat CR.32   Venta de Camposines 25a Squadriglia
  23/09/38 16:00 1/2 I-16 Shared destroyed Fiat CR.32   Corbera 25a Squadriglia
1 08/10/38 15:30 1 I-16 Destroyed Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Fatarella 19a Squadriglia
  09/10/38 16:00 1/4 I-16 Shared destroyed Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Ascò 19a Squadriglia
2 28/12/38 12:00 1/4 I-15 Destroyed Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Aspa 19a Squadriglia
3 28/12/38 12:00 1/4 I-15 Destroyed Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Aspa 19a Squadriglia
  1939                
  13/01/39 11:30 1 I-15 Damaged Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Montblanch 19a Squadriglia
  13/01/39 11:30 1 I-15 Damaged Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Montblanch 19a Squadriglia
  13/01/39 11:30 1 I-15 Damaged Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Montblanch 19a Squadriglia
  01/02/39 09:30 1/4 I-16 Shared destroyed Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Palamos 19a Squadriglia
  05/02/39 09:50 1 Delphine Destroyed on the ground Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Villajuiga 19a Squadriglia
  05/02/39 09:50 1 I-16 Destroyed on the ground Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Villajuiga 19a Squadriglia
  05/02/39 09:50 1 I-16 Destroyed on the ground Fiat CR.32 ’3-11’ Villajuiga 19a Squadriglia
  1941                
  13/03/41 15:15 1 Gladiator (a) Probable Macchi MC.200   Trebescines 359a Squadriglia
4 14/03/41 10:50 1 Hurricane (b) Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Tepeleni 359a Squadriglia
  14/03/41 10:50 1/4 Gladiator (b) Shared destroyed Macchi MC.200   Tepeleni 359a Squadriglia
  13/04/41 12:30 1 Bücher Destroyed on the ground Macchi MC.200   Mostar 359a Squadriglia
  13/04/41 12:30 1 Bücher Destroyed on the ground Macchi MC.200   Mostar 359a Squadriglia
  13/04/41 12:30 1 Blenheim Destroyed on the ground Macchi MC.200   Mostar 359a Squadriglia
  13/04/41 12:30 1 Blenheim Destroyed on the ground Macchi MC.200   Mostar 359a Squadriglia
  13/04/41 12:30 1 Blenheim Destroyed on the ground Macchi MC.200   Mostar 359a Squadriglia
  13/04/41 18:00 1 Bücher Destroyed on the ground Macchi MC.200   Mostar 359a Squadriglia
  13/04/41 18:00 1 Enemy aircraft Destroyed on the ground Macchi MC.200   Mostar 359a Squadriglia
5 27/08/41 17:15 1 SB Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Dnjepropetrovsk 359a Squadriglia
6 25/12/41 08:50 1 I-180 Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Bulawa 359a Squadriglia
7 28/12/41 11:20 1 I-16 Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Timofejevskiy 359a Squadriglia
8 28/12/41 11:40 1 I-16 Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Timofejevskiy 359a Squadriglia
9 29/12/41 11:40 1 SB-2 Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Balka Tolstaje 359a Squadriglia
  1942                
10 04/02/42 11:00 1 I-16 Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Krasnyi Liman 22o Gruppo
11 05/02/42 07:20 1 I-16 Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Krasnyi Liman 22o Gruppo
  11/02/42 14:30 1/? I-16 Shared damaged Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  11/02/42 14:30 1/? I-16 Shared damaged Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  11/02/42 14:30 1/? I-16 Shared damaged Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  11/02/42 14:30 1/? I-16 Shared damaged Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  11/02/42 14:30 1/? I-16 Shared damaged Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  24/02/42 15:00 1/6 ’J-200’ (c) Shared destroyed Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  24/02/42 15:00 1/6 ’J-200’ (c) Shared destroyed Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
12 28/02/42 15:00 1 I-27 Destroyed Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  28/02/42 15:00 1 I-27 Probable Macchi MC.200   Alexandrowka 359a Squadriglia
  27/12/42 15:40 1 Spitfire Damaged Reggiane Re.2001   Malta 22o Gruppo
  1943                
13 01/03/43 17:30 1 B-24 (d) Destroyed Dewoitine D.520   Capri 22o Gruppo
  20/03/43 17:00 1 B-24 Damaged Macchi MC.202   Napoli 22o Gruppo
14 02/04/43 18:55 1 B-24 (e) Destroyed Reggiane Re.2005 MM494 Isle of Ischia 22o Gruppo
  11/04/43 19:05 1/3 B-24 Shared destroyed Reggiane Re.2005   Napoli 22o Gruppo
15 28/04/43 13:15 1 B-24 (f) Destroyed Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  28/04/43 13:15 1/? B-24 Shared damaged Reggiane Re.2005 "362" MM494 Capri 22o Gruppo
  21/06/43 13:30 1/3 B-24 Shared probable Reggiane Re.2005   Napoli 22o Gruppo
  21/06/43 13:30 1/4 B-24 Shared destroyed Reggiane Re.2005   Napoli 22o Gruppo
  21/06/43 13:30 1/4 B-24 Shared destroyed Reggiane Re.2005   Napoli 22o Gruppo
  21/06/43 13:30 1/4 B-24 Shared destroyed Reggiane Re.2005   Napoli 22o Gruppo
  15/07/43 12:30 1 B-17 Damaged Dewoitine D.520   Napoli 22o Gruppo
  19/07/43 12:00 1 B-17 Damaged Macchi MC.202   Capri 22o Gruppo

Biplane victories: 3 and 4 shared destroyed, 1 probable, 3 damaged, 3 destroyed on the ground.
TOTAL: 15 and 11 shared destroyed, 12 and 1 shared probables, 7 and 15 shared damaged, 10 destroyed on the ground.
(a) Claimed in combat with Gladiaotrs from 112 Squadron and Hurricanes from 33 Squadron. 112 Squadron claimed 10 CR.42s destroyed, 2 probables and 1 damaged and 1 ‘G.50bis’ and 1 damaged without losses. MC.200s from 22o Gruppo and CR.42s from 160o Gruppo claimed four Gladiators and one Hurricane shot down, losing two CR.42s flown by Tenente Gualtiero Bacchi and Sottotenente Enzo Torroni (both from 375a Squadriglia), but no MC.200s.
(b) Claimed in combat with Hurricanes from 33 Squadron and Gladiators from 112 Squadron. 112 Squadron claimed 5 destroyed, 2 probables and 1 damaged G.50s and 1 destroyed and 1 damaged BR.20 while losing 1 Gladiator. 33 Squadron claimed 2 'monoplanes' and 2 probables while losing 1 Hurricane. Z.1007bis and BR.20s from 47o and 38o Stormo and MC.200s from the 22o Gruppo and CR.42s of the 160o Gruppo claimed 2 Hurricanes and 3 Gladiators while losing 2 MC.200s and getting 1 MC.200 and 1 Z.1007bis damaged.
(c) According to some sources they claimed one shared damaged and one shared probable.
(d) Claimed in combat with B-24s from 98th and 376th BGs, which lost 1 B-24D (crew MiA). 22o Gruppo claimed 3 B-24s while suffering 3 damaged MC.202s. 7./ZG 1 claimed 1 probable B-24 without losses.
(e) This claim has yet to be verified with the corresponding USAAF losses.
(f) This claim has yet to be verified with the corresponding USAAF losses.

Sources:
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume Two – Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello with Russell Guest, Frank Olynyk & Winfried Bock, 2012 Grub Street, London, ISBN-13: 9781909166127
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume Three – Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello with Russell Guest, Frank Olynyk & Winfried Bock, 2016 Grub Street, London, ISBN-13: 9781910690000
Air war for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete - Christopher Shores, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia, 1987 Grub Street, London, ISBN 0-948817-07-0
Ali Sulla Steppa: La Regia Aeronautica nella campagna di Russia – Nicola Malizia, 2008 IBN Editore, Roma, ISBN 88-7565-049-7
Annuario Ufficiale Delle Forze Armate Del Regno D’Italia Anno 1943. Part III Regia Aeronautica – 1943 Istituto Poligrafico Dello Stato, Roma
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell’ A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 2 Volume M - Z
Gli Assi Italiani Della Regia Aeronautica - Givanni Massimello, 2023 Difesa Servizi SpA Edizioni Rivista Aeronautica, ISBN 9788888180779
Regia Aeronautica
Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario - Maurizio Di Terlizzi, 2001 IBN Editore Aviolibri No. 4, Roma, ISBN 88-86815-38-7
Shark Squadron - The history of 112 Squadron 1917-1975 - Robin Brown, 1994 Crécy Books, ISBN 0-947554-33-5
Service record and log book of Generale S. A. Vittorio Minguzzi kindly provided by Carlo Minguzzi.
Additional information kindly provided by Jean Michel Cala, Ferdinando D'Amico, Carlo Minguzzi and Stefano Lazzaro.




Last modified 08 April 2024