Paolo Montanari was from Cesena (Forlì).

Montanari took part in the Spanish Civil War as a volunteer and was decorated for this.

In July 1941, Maresciallo Montanari served in the 366^a Squadriglia of the 151^o Gruppo. This unit operated in North Africa and was equipped with Fiat CR.42s.

On 9 July 1941, seven Blenheim IVs from 110 Squadron took off from Luqa, Malta, to attack Axis shipping in Tripoli harbour. The Blenheims claimed direct hits on four merchant vessels, one which was estimated to be 12,000 tons, two of 10,000 tons and one of 7,000 tons. Losses were heavy however, four Bleheims failing to return. Squadron Leader D. H. Seale (Z6449; crew Flight Sergeant F. B. Mulford and Flight Sergeant W. H. McDougall) was seen to force-land in the sea while Pilot Officer W. H. Lowe (Z9578; crew Sergeant R. E. Baird and Sergeant H. Lummus) was short down and they were reported missing and KIA with their crews. Flight Lieutenant M. E. Potier (Z9537) was shot down and killed while his crew of Pilot Officer T. Griffith-Jones and Sergeant D. H. Wythe became prisoners. Sergeant W. H. Twist (Z9533) was shot down a few miles north of Tripoli, he and his crew (Sergeant D. W. Allen and Sergeant S. W. Taylor) becoming prisoners.
Italian fighters had been scrambled in time and managed to intercept the bombers effectively. Flying at 1,500m at about 16:00 Maresciallo Aldo Buvoli (G.50bis MM6384) from the 378^a Squadriglia spotted a formation of four Blenheims, followed at a distance by a fifth. He shot down one over the port and a second over the sea after a long chase. Two CR.42s from the 151^o Gruppo flown by Maresciallo Montanari of the 366^a Squadriglia and Sergente Ottorino Ambrosi of the 368^a Squadriglia also intercepted the bombers claiming one shot down each.
Ambrosi was later awarded the Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare.

On 31 July 1941, the 151^o Gruppo's first operational tour in North Africa ended.

Once back in Italy, the 151^o Gruppo was deployed to Treviso airfield, where it flew CR.42s and MC.200s.

After a short spell in Sardinia, the unit was ordered back to Africa on 18 November 1941, reaching Agedabia airfield on 25 November.

Nine CR.42s of the 151^o Gruppo (four from the 366^a Squadriglia and five of the 367^a Squadriglia) took off from Agedabia at 15:15 on 26 November to escort CR.42 fighter bombers of the 160^o Gruppo that were to attack the enemy’s motorised troop transports near the Oasis of Augila (Gialo area). One the CR.42s of the 160^o Gruppo had reached the target, they dropped their bombs and went down to strafe the enemy vehicles.
Two 33 Squadron Hurricanes patrolling the area spotted the fighter bombers. Pilot Officer D. S. F. 'Bill' Winsland dived down for an attack but was immediately intercepted and shot down by the patrol from the 366^a Squadriglia. The Hurricane went down in flames while Winsland (a veteran of the fighting in Greece and the Desert) parachuted. Flying Officer Clostre was also attacked and forced to abort his attack.
The Italian pilots thought that they had shot down both Hurricanes and were thus credited with both; the first was credited to Capitano Bernardino Serafini and Sergente Maggiore Antonio Camerini and the second to Tenente Amedeo Guidi and Maresciallo Montanari. 250 rounds had been fired.
The pilots of the 367^a Squadriglia didn’t intervene in view of the small numbers of attackers and the quick resolution of the clash.
Pilot Officer Winsland returned to base the following day with a Blenheim from El Eng.
Winsland’s aircraft may well have been the last Hurricane Mk.I to be shot down by a CR.42. Victor and vanquished were reunited in 1984, due to the efforts of British air historian and writer Brian Cull and Italian air historian Nicola Malizia, and Serafini and Winsland have remained firm friends ever since.

In the afternoon on 10 June 1943, the Regia Aeronautica made a desperate attempt to wrest back control of the air over Pantelleria. At 15:30, they despatched six Bf 109s from the 150^o Gruppo, nine MC.202s from the 151^o Gruppo, and ten of the 153^o Gruppo, joined by some German fighters of II./JG 53. The Italian pilots reported attacking an escorted bomber formation over Pantelleria, claiming six Spitfires shot down and two probables, plus a four-engined bomber. The destroyed Spitfires were claimed by Tenente Angelo Fornoncini (Bf 109 G from the 150^o Gruppo) who claimed one 10 km north-west of Pantelleria, Sergente Maggiore Pio Roncalli (MC.202 from the 151^o Gruppo), Sergente Giuseppe Saracino (MC.202 from the 151^o Gruppo), Sergente Arturo Imberti (MC.202 from the 366^a Squadriglia), Maresciallo Montanari (MC.202 from the 366^a Squadriglia) and Sergente Isacco Sacchi (MC.202 from the 368^a Squadriglia). The two Spitfires probably destroyed were claimed by Bf 109 Gs flown by Tenente Giovanni Chiale (364^a Squadriglia) and Tenente Colonnello Antonio Vizzotto (in an aircraft from the 365^a Squadriglia). The probably destroyed four-engined aircraft was claimed by Giorgio Leone (Bf 109 G from the 363^a Squadriglia) 10 km south-west of Pantelleria.
The Bf 109 Gs from JG 53 claimed three additional P-40s and one B-26 when Leutnant Karl Paashaus (5./JG 53) claimed one P-40 10 km south of Pantelleria at an altitude of 150 m at 15:44, Feldwebel Walter Manz (9./JG 53) claimed on B-26 20 km north of Cap Bon at 15:45, Oberleutnant Franz Schiehs (8./JG 53) claimed one P-40 1 km west of Pantelleria at an altitude of 3000 m at 15:50 and Unteroffizier Kurt Zielke (8./JG 53) claimed one P-40 3 km south-west of Pantelleria at an altitude of 30 m at 15:52. It’s possible that one of the Bf 109G were damaged since Bf 109 G-6 WNr. 18120 from II/JG 53 force-landed at Modica during the day with 65% damaged from combat but with the pilot safe. This seems to be the only German loss during the day that can correspond with the heavy combat over Pantelleria.
It seems that they had been engaged with P-40s from 325th FG, which claimed five destroyed Bf 109s and four more damaged. From 317th FS and between 14:40-17:10, Captain Ralph G. Taylor Jr. (P-40L-1CU) claimed one Bf 109 3 km west of Pantelleria and a second over Pantelleria. The remaining claims were made by 319th FS and 1st Lieutenant Herbert W. Andridge claimed one Bf 109 3 km south-south-west of Tre Pietre at 15:25, Captain Joseph A. Bloomer Jr. claimed one damaged Bf 109 at 15:45 at the south-eastern end of Pantelleria while three more unknown pilots claimed three more damaged at the same place and time, Captain Lawrence J. Ritter claimed one Bf 109 destroyed at 15:45 2 km south-west of Tre Pietre and 1st Lieutenant Kenneth R. Rusher claimed one Bf 109 destroyed at 15:55 24 km west of Pantelleria.
One P-40 from 319th FS was shot down over Pantelleria, the fate of Flight Officer J. Dunlop is unknown while a second from 317th FS also was shot down over Pantelleria with Lieutenant R. D. Clark slightly wounded. He was later picked up from his dinghy and put ashore at Sousse. The bombers can have included B-26s from 320th BG since 41-17987 from 442nd BS was damaged by Bf 109s near Pantelleria when the left engine was shot out at 14:15. The damaged bomber reached Tunis and force-landed at a fighter strip with 1st Lieutenant Kenneth G. Ross and his crew of five safe.
Another patrol was laid on in the evening, this one incorporating six Bf 109 Gs of from the 150^o Gruppo, eight MC.202s from the 151^o Gruppo, ten from the 153^o Gruppo and six from the 161^o Gruppo. These fighters sought to engage a formation north-west of Pantelleria which was identified as eight Bostons, twelve B-24s and about 40 Spitfires. As these were attacked a further formation thought to include about 50 more Spitfires arrived on the scene.
It appears that the aircraft initially encountered by the Italians were Spitfires of the 31st Fighter Group, pilots of the 309th Squadron claiming five MC.202s and one Bf 109. The second formation was composed of P-40s of the 79th Fighter Group’s 85th and 87th Squadrons. The pilots of these reported seeing three Macchis straying from the fight with the Spitfires and claimed all of them shot down.
Meanwhile an Italian Cant Z.506S seaplane of the 8^a Squadriglia Sezione Soccorso (rescue section) left Marsala-Stagnone seaplane base at 18:20 to pick up pilots shot down earlier in the day, and apparently this was escorted by twelve Bf 109 Gs from II./JG 27. After their initial engagement with the Macchis, the American pilots spotted the floatplane, reportedly accompanied by Bf 109s, claiming ten of the latter shot down. They also reported that they had refrained from attacking the floatplane, but the Italian account indicates that it was in fact damaged and had to land on the sea with one member of the crew wounded. Following repairs, it took off again and flew to Sicily.
The U.S. pilots claimed heavily when they claimed 11 MC.202s and 12 Bf 109s shot down with an additional probable FW 190 and three damaged Bf 109s.
The first claimants were Captain Joseph W. Connelly (#X21) and Lieutenant John F. Martin (#X31) of the 85th FS, which claimed a shared MC.202 8 km north of Pantelleria between 18:40-19:50.
Five minutes later it was the turn of the 87th FS, whose pilots reported downing three MC.202 stragglers that had possibly come from the 161^o Gruppo. The unit also claimed a further 12 Axis fighters destroyed, the latter being engaged while escorting the Cant Z.506S seaplane. The 87th FS mission lasted between 18:50-20:10 and 1st Lieutenant Paul G. McArthur (#X83) claimed four kills (two Bf 109s and two MC.202s), plus another Bf 109 damaged over Pantelleria, but was then himself hit and forced to bale out 16 km north-west of Pantelleria. He was picked up later by a Walrus from 283 Squadron crewed by Flying Officer K. H. Mears and Flight Sergeant J. V. Botting. A heavy swell was running, take-offs were attempted, but failed, so the Walrus taxied back to Cap Bon (alternatively was towed by a corvette to Kelibia). 1st Lieutenant Wyman D. “Porky” Anderson (#71) claimed two MC.202s (one over Pantelleria and one 32 km north-east of the island) and one Bf 109 (over Pantelleria) destroyed. Additional Bf 109s were claimed by 1st Lieutenant Asa A. Adair (#86) (Pantelleria), 1st Lieutenant Leo G. Berinati (#72) (24 km west of Sicily), Captain Lee V. Gossick (#90) (who also claimed an additional Bf 109 damaged; both claimed 32 km north of Pantelleria), Captain Frank M. Huff (‘91’) (24 km west of Sicily), 2nd Lieutenant John L. Kirsch (#95) (Pantelleria), 1st Lieutenant Kensley M. Miller (#99) (Pantelleria) and 1st Lieutenant Morris H. Watkins (#97) (Pantelleria). Lieutenant Colonel Charles Grogan reported slight damage to his P-40 (#02 from 79th FG) after colliding with a Bf 109 over Pantelleria. He had actually hit a MC.202, which lost a wing and crashed into the sea.
The 31st FG also enjoyed success; its pilots being credited with seven fighters destroyed for the loss of one 307th FS Spitfire. The pilot of this aircraft, 1st Lieutenant George V. Gooding, was killed 32 km from base when his fighter was apparently attacked by a P-40 of the 99th FS, which had been temporarily attached to the 33rd FG. All the claimants from 31st FG were from 309th FS, which mission lasted between 18:25-19:35 and all claims were made over Pantelleria. Six MC.202s were claimed by Major Frank A. Hill, Captains Berry Chandler and Carl W. Payne (claimed 19:00 8 km north of Pantelleria), 1st Lieutenants Donald J. Keith, Robert O. Rahn and Dale E. Shafer Jr (who was also attacked in error by a P-40). In addition, 1st Lieutenant James R. Swiger claimed a Bf 109, 2nd Lieutenant Leonard H. Meldeau an FW 190 as a probable and Captain John H. Paulk a Bf 109 damaged.
The Italians had actually lost seven MC.202s (all pilots becoming MiA), four from the 53^o Stormo and three from the 161^o Gruppo. Of the four 53^o Stormo pilots shot down, three were from the 151^o Gruppo, namely its CO, Capitano Domenico Bevilacqua, and Sergente Rino Nava of the 366^a Squadriglia and Tenente Giancarlo Celle of the 367^a Squadriglia. The 153^o Gruppo also lost Maresciallo Paolo Franchi of the 373^a Squadriglia. The three downed 161^o Gruppo pilots were Tenente Giuseppe Marazio and Maresciallo Giuseppe Ravasio (both of the 164^a Squadriglia) and Sottotenente Iolando Soprani of the 159^a Squadriglia. Despite these losses, the Italian pilots claimed three Bostons shot down over Pantelleria and a reportedly five more damaged. Tenente Giuseppe Marazio and Sergente Maggiore Luigi Dondi (both 163^a Squadriglia) shared one destroyed 08:20-19:45 while Capitano Mario Mauro and Tenente Vittoria Satta (both 374^a Squadrilia) claimed one more each after 19:00.
Hauptmann Werner Schroer of Stab II./JG (Bf 109 G) claimed an unconfirmed Boston over Pantelleria at 19:20.
Regia Aeronautica’s desperate sacrifice was in vain and Pantelleria surrendered the following day, on 11 June.

Montanari ended the war with 1 biplane victory and a total of 2.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1941
1	09/07/41	16:00 ca	1	Blenheim (a)	Destroyed	Fiat CR.42		Tripoli area	366a Squadriglia
	26/11/41	15:15-	1/2	Hurricane (b)	Shared destroyed	Fiat CR.42		Augila area	366a Squadriglia
	1943
2	10/06/43	15:30-	1	Spitfire (c)	Destroyed	MC.202		Pantelleria	366a Squadriglia

Biplane victories: 2 and 1 shared destroyed.
TOTAL: 1 and 1 shared destroyed.
(a) Claimed in combat with Blenheims from 110 Squadron, which lost four Blenheims corresponding with four Italian claims.
(b) Claimed in combat with 2 Hurricanes from 33 Squadron of which 1 was shot down. 366^a Squadriglia claimed 2 shot down.
(c) US fighter claimed 27 destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and 4 damaged while losing 4 P-40s and 1 damaged B-26. Axis fighters claimed 10 fighters destroyed and 2 probably destroyed and 4 and 1 unconfirmed bomber while losing 7 fighters and 1 damaged.

Sources:
53^o Stormo - Marco Mattioli, 2010 Osprey Publishing, Oxford, ISBN 978-1-84603-977-5
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume One – Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello with Russell Guest, 2012 Grub Street, London, ISBN 978-1908117076
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell’ A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 2 Volume M - Z
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume Four – Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello with Russell Guest, Frank Olynyk, Winfried Bock and Wg Cdr Andy Thomas, 2018 Grub Street, London, ISBN-13: 9781911621102
Fighters over the Desert - Christopher Shores and Hans Ring, 1969 Neville Spearman Limited, London
Gli Assi Italiani Della Regia Aeronautica - Givanni Massimello, 2023 Difesa Servizi SpA Edizioni Rivista
La Battaglie Aeree In Africa Settentrionale: Novembre-Dicembre 1941 – Michele Palermo, IBN, ISBN 88-7565-102-7
Malta: The Hurricane Years 1940-41 - Christopher Shores and Brian Cull with Nicola Malizia, 1987 Grub Street, London, ISBN 0-89747-207-1
Additional information kindly provided by Gianandrea Bussi.