In July 1941, Maresciallo Paolo 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 harbor. They were intercepted by a Fiat G.50 from the 155^o Gruppo flown by Sergente Maggiore Aldo Buvoli and 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.
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.
Montanari and Ambrosi claimed one Blenheim each during the combat.
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.

On 26 November, four 366^a Squadriglia CR.42s engaged two Hurricane Mk.Is from 33 Squadron over Augila. The Hurricanes, which was out on a patrol over the Gialo area reported seeing enemy bombers and while diving to engage these they were attacked by escorting Italian fighters. Flying Officer D. S. F. 'Bill' Winsland (a veteran of the fighting in Greece and the Desert) was shot down and Flying Officer Cloete, was driven off by the Italian fighters. Winsland baled out and was brought back to base next day by a Blenheim from El Eng.
Capitano Bernardino Serafini and Sergente Maggiore Antonio Camerini claimed to have jointly shot down the Hurricane flown by Flying Officer Winsland. The other Hurricane was driven off by Tenente Amedeo Guidi and Maresciallo Montanari.
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.

Montanari ended the war with 1 biplane victory, this one claimed while flying the Fiat CR.42.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1941
1	09/07/41		1	Blenheim (a)	Destroyed	Fiat CR.42		Tripoli area	366a Squadriglia

Biplane victories: 1 destroyed.
TOTAL: 1 destroyed.
(a) Claimed in combat with Blenheims from 110 Squadron, which lost four Blenheims.

Sources:
53^o Stormo - Marco Mattioli, 2010 Osprey Publishing, Oxford, ISBN 978-1-84603-977-5
Fighters over the Desert - Christopher Shores and Hans Ring, 1969 Neville Spearman Limited, London
Malta: The Hurricane Years 1940-41 - Christopher Shores and Brian Cull with Nicola Malizia, 1987 Grub Street, London, ISBN 0-89747-207-1