September 2018 FLYPAST 83Other types of aircraft were
evaluated, such as the SIA 7B and
the later SIA 9. Despite offering
excellent performance, these suffered
from poor reliability and structural
problems. It was with the service
entry of the SVA at the beginning
of 1918 that a suitable machine
became available.
With the advent of this type,
D’Annunzio received the blessing
of the Comando Supremo for the
mission in the summer. The best
pilots of the 87th, who had already
gained distinction for their
audacious and aggressive long-
range exploits, were nominated for
the task.
Thirteen single-seat SVA 5s were
prepared, together with a two-seater
specially converted by Ansaldo. This
was because D’Annunzio expected
to participate, as the raid was his
brainchild. Preparations began
badly; the two-seater crashed at
Marcon during a test flight on
July 7, with the loss of its pilot,
Capitano Bourlot.
The team at Ansaldo performed
miracles though, modifying another
single-seater with a second seat and
installing a special 65 imp gal (295
lit) fuel tank in time for the great
man to take part.City cruise
An initial attempt was launched on
August 2, but the formation was
forced to return to San Pelagio due
to appalling weather over the Alps.
But the men did not have to wait
long for the great day.
On August 9 the groundcrew had
11 SVAs prepared for the mission
and at dawn, ten climbed into the
sky (see panel for participants).
Capitano Natale Palli piloted
the two-seater with D’Annunzio
acting as an observer, while the
single-seaters were led by the 87th’s
commander, Capitano Alberto
Masprone. Unfortunately, two
SVAs flown by Tenentes Contrattiand Ferrarin were forced to return
to the base almost immediately
with technical problems, and even
Masprone was forced to make
an emergency landing on the
Venetian plain.
Despite this inauspicious start
the others continued stoically.
They all maintained a speed of
around 99mph to ensure a range of
approximately 620 miles (1,000km)
with a minimum fuel reserve.
Each aircraft was loaded with
more than 44lb (20kg) of leaflets
and a reconnaissance camera. The
wording on the propaganda, which
was in Italian and German, had been
prepared by journalist Ugo Ojetti,
while another version had been
written by D’Annunzio.
Despite menacing clouds over
Carinza and being noticed by several
observation posts, the formation of
eight arrived in complete tranquillity
over Vienna. Unfortunately, the
aircraft flown by Tenente Sarti
suffered engine failure close to
Wiener-Neustadt airfield, in Austria.
He was forced to land in enemy
territory but managed to set fire to
his SVA prior to capture.
At 0915hrs the formation
lowered its altitude, overflying the
suburbs of Meidling and Hietzing,
and the palace at Shönbrunn.Below
Pilots from the raid
and others from
the 87° Squadriglia
moments after the
return from Vienna.
Left to right: Generale
Luigi Bongiovanni,
Tenentes Francesco
Ferrarin, Gino Allegri,
Piero Massoni,
Ludovico Censi,
Aldo Finzi, Maggiore
Gabriele D’Annunzio,
Capitano Natale
Palli, Tenentes
Antonio Locatelli and
Giordano Granzarolo.