Silvio Scaroni aviation ace



Born in 1893 in Brescia, he died in Milano in the year 1977. Called out for military service in September 1913 and incorporated in the 2^nd Field Artillery Regiment, in April 1915 he asked to be admitted into the Flying Corps, passing on the 1^st of May to the S. Giusto (Pisa) airfield where on 15^th August he obtained the first flying licence and one month later the second. On 10^th October he left for the front with a Condrom (Squadron for Artillery) where he could immediately explicate an adsiduous and intelligent reconnaissance activity linked with artillery. On 1^st December 1916 he was promoted to the rank of Sottotenente, (Pilot Off.) beginning a serie of brillliant victories that made him ace of aces. From December 1916 to December 1917 he had his first nine kills. In June 1917, after a training corse at the Forlanini school he passed to the 76^th Fighter Squadron in the 4^th Army. In August 1917 he was appointed Tenente (1^st Lieutenant) and obtaining other victories thus bringing his toll at 26. Most notable was his treble victory within a quarter of an hour on 26^th December 1917.
After Francesco Baracca, Silvio Scaroni was the Italian ace that shot down most enemy planes. The serie was interrupted on 12^th 1918 by a heavy wound received in a fight over Mount Tombè after downing two enemy aircraft.

The golden medal awarded to him on 12^th 1919 mentioned him as "Fighter pilot, master of courage to the bold. For thirty times he was winner in marvellous dogfights, to the incomparable skill he coupled as much boldness putting only one limit to his heroism: victory. Constant example, to whom most operates and sacrifices, to operate and sacrifice even more, he gave all energies of his youth to the Country…". Brescia tributed him solemn honours on 29^th December 1918 with a reception at the "Loggia".

Scaroni was member of the Aeronautical Military Mission in Argentina in 1919, miltary attaché at London and Washington, in special mission in Sweden, Germany, Mexco, Venezuela and Genere, Chief of the Aeronautical Mission in China and chief consultant of Chang-Kai-Shek for the Air Force (1935-1938). From October 1933 to the beginning of 1935 was effective aide-de-camp of the King Vittorio Emanuele III.

Again for aviation are remembered: Luigi Adami, Chief Steersman killed at La Spezia on 23^rd May 1917, awarded with Silver medals; Arrigo Andri from Brescia, gunner in a bomber squadron, awarded two Silver medals on the Iulian front and on the Piave where he fell on 30^th December 1917; Pilot Off. Massimiliano Arci, Aquila Cavalry Rgt. Fighter Pilot; Antonio Cominotti, pilot of the 14^th Squadriglia killed at Epernai on 23^rd May 1918, was awarded three Silver medals for actions accomplished over the Isonzo on 23^rd May 1917, in the sky of Istria in August-december 1917 and on the French front on 19^th-20^th May 1918;ai il 23 maggio 1918 per azioni compiute sull'Isonzo il 23 maggio 1917, nel cielo dell'Istria nell'agosto-dicembre 1917 e sul fronte francese il 19-20 maggio 1918; Pilot Off. Antonio Magnocavallo of the 2^nd bombing squadron who fell at Valona on 7^th July 1918; Pilot Off. Camillo Sommariva killed at Suzzara on 17^th June 1918.

Among the Brescian airmen are also worth a quote Serg. Marziale Cerutti, ace of the 79^th Squadriglia with 17 kills; Pilot Off. Giulio Cerioli badly wounded in a flight accident at Centocelle (Rome) airport in July 1917, Pilot Off. Massimiliano Arici, fallen on 10^th June 1917 along with General Caneva's son on the Trentine front when their plane was caught in a snow storm after getting through a harsh combat. Aviation was particularly known in Brescia: besides on 26^th September took place at the Teatro Grande the great manifestation "Italian wings". Among the airmen is also remembered Antonio Cominotti, Silver medal recipient.

Sources:
The war at the home door - Brescia and the Brescians in the First World War;
G. Bevilacqua, Heroes without wings, Brescia, Pea ed.
S. Scaroni, Impressions and memories of air war, Danesi ed. Roma, 1922
S. Scaroni, Battles in the sky, Mondadori ed. Milano
S. Scaroni, With Vittorio Emanuele III, Verona, Mondadori 1954

The info on the victories of Scaroni e Cerutti were taken from The Aerodrome

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