Giuseppe Saracino was from Mirandola (Modena).

In November 1941, Giuseppe Saracino belonged to 23^o Autonomo CT, based at Pantelleria off Sicily. This unit was at this time equipped with Fiat CR.42s.

Early on 15 November 1941 five CR.42s of 23^o Gruppo from Pantelleria were engaged in escorting some Ju 52/3m transports when they spotted three delivery Wellingtons of the OADU. The Italian fighters attacked and Sottotenente Gino Martini shot down Wellington Z8989 in flames south-west of the island. In the same combat claimed Sergente Saracino a second Wellington as a probable. However only one aircraft was lost, the crew surviving and subsequently being picked up by a floatplane from Kalafrana.

On 11 December Flight Lieutenant 'Ginger' Neil of 249 Squadron was sent off from Malta to escort a Wellington, which was reported to be under attack whilst on its way to Malta from Gibraltar, carrying aboard his replacement, Flight Lieutenant Sidney Brandt. The bomber had been intercepted by three 23^o Gruppo CR.42s scrambled from Pantelleria, the pilots of which reported attacking four Wellingtons. One of these was claimed shot down into the sea by Sergente Luigi Sacchi, while Maresciallo Diego Fiorentini (of 75^a Squadriglia) and Sergente Saracino attacked two others. Fiorentini was shot down by one of the rear gunners and he baled out of his stricken fighter but his parachute did not open.
It seems that two of the Wellingtons were lost, R1246 and R1250, both in transit from Gibraltar to the Middle East.

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 Saracino (MC.202 from the 151^o Gruppo), Sergente Arturo Imberti (MC.202 from the 366^a Squadriglia), Maresciallo Paolo 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.

At dawn on 15 June 1943, B-26s of the 319th and 320th Bomb Groups took off to raid Trapani and Bo Rizzo airfields followed 90 minutes later by the B-26s from the 17th BG, escorted by the P-40s of the 325th FG. One of the latter fighters was shot down north of the tip of Levanzo Island. Flight Officer J. Beck being seen to bale out.
In fact, all units of 5th Wing were in action over Sicily, 48 bombers of 97th and 99th Bomb Groups raiding Boccadifalco airdrome at Palermo, with 54 Fortresses of 2nd and 301st Bomb Groups attacking Castelvetrano.
Over the targets heavy Flak was encountered together with intercepting fighters. Over Sciacca airfield at 08:10 gunners in the B-25Cs of the 310th BG, also involved in this raid, claimed four Bf 109s, a fifth probable and an FW 190. Claiming gunners were:
Staff Sergeant G. F. Skypeck from 428th BS in 42-64664, who claimed one Bf 109
Staff Sergeant W. M. Donaldson from 428th BS in 41-29959, who claimed one Bf 109
Sergeant J. F. Michalek from 428th BS in 41-13050, who claimed one Bf 109
Staff Sergeant L. G. Myers from 428th BS in 42-64662, who claimed one Bf 109
Staff Sergeant A. I. Langford from 428th BS in 41-13094, who claimed one probable Bf 109
Staff Sergeant R. J. Corthell from 379th BS in 41-32493, who claimed one FW 190
The B-26 gunners of the 320th BG claimed three more Bf 109s, one probable and five damaged in the Trapani-Milo area at 08:20, while 319th BG gunners claimed a further six fighters shot down and a probable.
Escorting P-38 pilots of the 82nd FG made additional claims when 2nd Lieutenant Ray Crawford of 97th FS (P-38G) claimed one MC.202 destroyed, 2nd Lieutenant Russell C. Williams of 97th FS claimed a probable Bf 109 and 2nd Lieutenant John A. Caputo of 97th FS claimed a damaged Bf 109. Two more claims were made by P-38 pilots when 1st Lieutenant Richard A. Campbell (P-38G-15LO) from 37th FS, 14th FG, claimed one MC.202 off the east coast of Marettimo between 06:10 and 10:00 and 1st Lieutenant Harold E. Melbraaten from 71st FS, 1st FG, claimed a Re.2001 over Castelvetrano airfield between 06:55 and 10:45.
An unspecified pilot from 325th FG (P-40) claimed a damaged Bf 109 over Bo Rizzo airfield between 08:20 and 11:35.
The 320th BG suffered five crash-landed B-26s:
B-26B 41-17754 Rabbit/Red Hot from 444th BS was damaged by Flak and crash-landed at base with pilot 1st Lieutenant John B. Stumm and five safe.
B-26B 41-17955 from 443rd BS returned early and crash-landed at base at 08:45 with pilot Captain Luttrell and five safe.
B-26B 41-17984 from 441st BS crash-landed at base with the crew safe.
B-26B 41-18006 from 441st BS crash-landed at base with pilot Captain Cordill and five safe.
B-26B 41-18033 from 441st BG crash-landed at base at 10:00 with pilot 1st Lieutenant John C. Tuck and five safe.
In 321st BG, B-25C 42-32497 from 446th BS was damaged by Flak over Sciacca at 09:40 and it crash-landed at Mateur with pilot 1st Lieutenant Charles M. Van Artsdalen and three WiA and two more safe.
In the 310th BG, B-25 41-13050 Virgin Sturgeon from 428th BG was damaged by fighters over Sciacca at 08:15 with pilot 1st Lieutenant Arthur C. Paterson and five safe. Sergeant Michalek, a member of the crew of this aircraft, later recorded:

“Approaching the target, we were attacked by four planes from the right. The flak was heavy, but we muddled through and dropped our bombs. Just as we were leaving the target, five other enemy fighters peeled off and came in at our tail from the right side. One hit our right engine nacelle, knocking out our electrical equipment, but I retaliated by shooting him down, in flames. We swapped lead back and forth. He was plenty stubborn, coming in to about 250 yards [229m] before going down in flames. I put tracers into a second plane, but he couldn't stand the heat and pulled away.
We thought that our gas tank was full of holes when the gauge failed to work. The pilot then called through the inter-phone to get set for a crash-landing in the Mediterranean but when we checked our fuel we would make the landing field OK, if the hydraulic system operating the landing wheels hadn't been damaged by enemy fire. Fortunately, everything was intact. So now we will get more joy rides with the pilot, Lt A. C. Peterson, whose cool-minded flying brought us back safely ten feet above the water.”

Saracino ended the war with 1 shared victory and a total of 2.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1941
	15/11/41		1	Wellington (a)	Probable	Fiat CR.42		SW Pantelleria	23o Gruppo
	11/12/41		1/2	Wellington (b)	Shared destroyed	Fiat CR.42		off Pantelleria	23o Gruppo
	1943
1	10/06/43	15:30-	1	Spitfire (c)	Destroyed	MC.202		Pantelleria	151o Gruppo
2	15/06/43	08:30-	1	Spitfire (d)	Destroyed	MC.202		Castelvetrano	151o Gruppo

Biplane victories: 1 shared destroyed, 1 probable.
TOTAL: 2 and 1 shared destroyed, 1 probable.
(a) Only Wellington Z8989 of OADU shot down in flames. This aircraft was however shot down by Gino Martini.
(b) Wellingtons R1246 and R1250 lost during transit from Gibraltar to the Middle East.
(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.
(d) US fighter and bombers claimed 22 destroyed, 3 probably destroyed and 8 damaged while losing 5 fighters and 5 crash-landed B-26s. Axis fighters claimed 5 fighters destroyed and 8 bombers while losing 1 Bf 109 and 2 damaged MC.202.

Sources:
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
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
Malta: The Hurricane Years 1940-41 - Christopher Shores and Brian Cull with Nicola Malizia, 1987 Grub Street, London, ISBN 0-89747-207-1