Defenders of the Mountain Fronts

摘要

Among the units of the Regio Esercito that fought in the First World War, one of the most prominent was without doubt the 71 Squadriglia Caccia, a unit which was assigned to uninterrupted frontline service from the moment of its constitution in 1916, operating almost exclusively on the mountain fronts near Vicenza and Trento until the termination of hostilities. In reality, the unit had commenced its first combat operations towards the end of 1915, but its official constitution dates from January 30, 1916, at Torino Mirafiori Airfield as the 2° Squadriglia Caccia, intended to operate on the Eastern front. In fact, from February 1, 1916, the squadriglia began its transfer to the airfield at La Comina, near Pordenone. Commanded by Capitano Giorgio Chiaperotti, among the initial group of pilots were Capitano Bosio Antonio, Sottotenente Sabelli Giovanni, Sergente Maggiore Barattini Giovanni and Soldato Amico Silvio, to whom were entrusted six Nieuport Xs - one single-seat and five two seats plus two Nieuport 11 Bebe.