Fly Past

September 2018 FLYPAST 85

7hrs 10mins – a neat 621 miles
(1,000km), most of which had been
over enemy territory.
Although the raid was militarily
irrelevant, it had a notable
psychological effect on the Austrian
people, already disillusioned by years
of bloody and sapping conflict.
The mission was also a technical
success as, apart from Sarti’s
machine, the SVAs proved to be
extremely reliable.
Following the
successful

outcome, the
Comando Supremo
published an official
communiqué: “A flight of
eight national aircraft, one two-seat
and seven single-seaters, under the
command of Maggiore D’Annunzio,
has today performed a brilliant raid
on Vienna, involving a flight of over
1,000km, of which more than 800
were over enemy territory.
“Our aircraft, which left at 0550,
after overcoming some significant
atmospheric difficulties, reached
the city of Vienna at 0920, over
which they descended to heights

lower than 800m, dropping several

thousand leaflets.

“On the streets of the city, the

enthusiasm of the population was

clearly visible. Our aircraft were not

damaged by any hostile reaction

from the enemy... The flight left in a

compact formation and maintained

a close order throughout the route

and returned to their

airfield at

1240.

“Only one aircraft was missing,

one which, due to an engine failure,

seems to have been forced to land

close to Wiener-Neustadt.”

Price of fame

The Vienna raid, which brought

glory and acclaim to the unit, the

pilots and Italy, also generated a

technical and morale crisis within

the 87th. An investigation in mid-

August 1918 revealed that of the

22 aircraft available to the

squadriglia, just two were combat

ready and the unit was not capable

of undertaking operations.

This resulted in the immediate

removal of Comandante Masprone,

who had staged just one combat

mission since the Vienna adventure.

It was also reported he was too

‘soft’ on his subordinates. However,

he was recognised as having

shown excellent technical and

organisational attributes, as ably

demonstrated in the months

Left

Leafl ets showering

down on Vienna

during the 87°

Squadriglia raid.

Above

A commemorative

postcard of the raid.

Left

A montage of images

showing the

SVA’s progress

across Vienna.

success as, apart from Sarti’s
machine, the SVAs proved to be
extremely reliable.
Following the
successful

outcome, the
Comando Supremo
published an official

and returned to their

airfield at

1240.