Aviazione Legionaria

On the 26th of July, 1936 Italy signed an agreement with the Spanish Nationalists by which it was committed to send material and men to Spain. Four days later 12 Savoia SM-81s, complete with crew and armament set course for Spanish Morocco . Three of these Savoias did not arrive at their destination.

On the 13th of August, 1936, arrived at Melilla the Italian merchant ship Neraide arrived at Melilla It transported, among other things, the first 12 F�at Cr-32 fighters as well as 12 pilots, 3 mechanics, 3 mounters and 2 gunsmiths. The pilots, like their Savoia counterparts, were listed as members of the Spanish Foreign Legion.

Commander Bonomi, who commanded "aviaci�n del Tercio" during the following days, came to reorganize the forces that fell under his command. The following represents the table of organization:

Comandante of "aviacion del Tercio": Teniente Coronel (Lt. Col.)Ruggero Bonomi
Adjutant: Mayor (Maj.)Altomare
Adjutant: Teniente (Lt.) Erasi
Grupo Savoia - Comandante Teniente Coronel Sallio
1st Squadriglia(Squadron): Capit�n Spotti
2nd Squadriglia: Capit�n Salvetat
3rd Squadriglia: Capit�n Muti
Squadriglia de Caza (Fighter Squadron) - Comandante Captain Vicenzo Dequal

By the 17th of August the first F�at CR-32 is transferred to the peninsula and on the 20th of August, 1936 the first victory of a CR-32 (a Nieuport NI-52) is recorded and credited to teniente (Lt.) Ceccherilli.

In the following days the patrols move toward Salamanca whereas others move to C�ceres and Granada. Two are damaged in Salamanca, another two in Cordova, and one in Seville. Only 2 intact fighters are left on all the peninsula, 5 remaining in Africa.

On the 27th of August an Italian merchant with 9 F�at CR-32s arrived at the port of Vigo. They were routed by railroad to Seville for their assembly. The arrival of these new F�at CR32s made up for the lost ones and provided new patrols that were united in single single escuadrilla named the"Cucaracha" (Cockroach) Squadriglia from the beginning.

On the peninsula, the F�at was used initially on the Salamanca, Seville, Granada fronts.

At the end of November, 1936, Italy wanted to guarantee the success of the Nationalistic cause. Mussolini was wishing to provide to the Nationalists the necessary aid, but wanted guarantees for the future, and for that reason the negotiations began to establish a Italo-Spanish treaty. The 28th of November, 1936, Filipo Anfuso, personal secretary of Conde Ciano, was able to arrange a secret treaty with the Spanish Nationalists.

During December Republican fighters maintained air superiority, which the legionary authority thought to compensate for with the new aircraft that had arrived at Cadiz and Seville at the end of year. For that reason they decided to remain in a defensive posture Madrid front. covering solely the services that were considered essential.

From the moment of the Aviazione Legionaria was created until the end of 1936, the fighters of the Third were divided in three groups: 1st (reserves), 2nd and 3rd located in Torrijos and active in combat. In January of 1937 the 4th and 5th arrive and form a group with the 6th joining it in in February.

On the 28th of December, 1936 Bonomi is promoted Coronel (Col.) and appointed to be adviser of Velardi. That completely reorganized the forces at the end of year. A new bomber group was formed with 12 SA-81 in Squadriglias initially called 11th and 13th . These new Savoia along with the few existing ones in heavy Spain form the Marelli bomber group.

A new squadron of CR-32s also arrived at the end of year.
Legionary aviation completely is reorganized and with the fighter group reorganized as: XVI �Cucaracha�, XXIII �Asso di Bastoni� and the VI �Leonello�, under the group �Gamba di Ferro� in spring of 1938.

Italy provides abundant material to its squadrons as well as to the Nationalists.   1937 marks, without a doubt, some the greater contributions of material of all the War. 182 F�at CR-32s among other many airplanes were received throughout that year.

Aviazione Legionaria participated in all the campaigns except the Asturian one. In the battle of the North they participated in the bombing of Guernica, although not in as active a role as the C�ndor Legion, although participation is clear and demonstrated. Also there was a degree of controversy over mobilization of the International Balearic Bombardeo of the Aviazione Legionaria between the ports and Mediterranean cities, specifically Barcelona where days 16, 17, and 18 of March of 1938, these were intense and violent, the attacks were made by Aviazione Legionaria was without participation of the C�ndor Legion or Nationalist Aviation.

In the National offensive of the 1st of April, 1939, all Nationalist Aviation was used intensely although combats though bombing wasn't as active.

Aviazione Legionaria

3rd Stormo Legionary Caccia    ( Legionaria Fighters)

6th Grupo C.T. �Gamba di Ferro� (F�at Cr 32)
       31st   Squadriglia
       32nd   Squadriglia
       3rd   Squadriglia

16th Grupo C.T. �Cucaracha�, (F�at Cr 32)
       24th Squadriglia
       25th Squadriglia
       26nd Squadriglia

23rd Grupo C.T. �Asso di Bastoni� (F�at Cr 32)
        18th Squadriglia
        19th Squadriglia
        20th Squadriglia

22nd Independent Group O.A. " Le Linci" (Romeo Ro 37 " bis ")
       120th Squadriglia
       128th Squadriglia

21st Stormo Bombardamento Pesante   (Hvy Bomber Formation - S.81)

24th Grupo B.P.

       21st Squadriglia
       214th Squadriglia

25th Grupo B.P.
       215th Squadriglia
       216th Squadriglia

111th Stormo Bombardamento Veloce     (fast bomber formation - 30th Grupo B.V)
       281st Squadriglia
       285th Squadriglia

35th Independent Group (F�at Br 20)
       230th Squadriglia
       231st Squadriglia
       65th Squadriglia (Breda Ba 65)

Squadriglia Autonoma Mitragliamento
(independent Attack Squadron " Frecce " (F�at Cr 32)

Grupo sperimentale Legionary Caccia (F�at G.50) experimental Group Legionaria Fighters)

Aviazione Legionaria (Baleari)

10th Independent Group C.G. " Baleari " (F�at Cr 32)
       101st Squadriglia
       102nd Squadriglia

25th Grupo Bombardamento night bomber group
      " Pipistrelli delle Baleari " (S.81)
       251st Squadriglia
       252nd Squadriglia

8th Stormo Bombardamento Veloce Formaci�n de Bombardeo r�pido
    Falchi delle Baleari (S.79)

27th Grupo B.V.
       18th Squadriglia
       52nd Squadriglia

28th Grupo B.V.   " Sparvieri " (S.79)
       10th Squadriglia
       19th Squadriglia