MARSHAL BALBO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1940, Page 6

MARSHAL BALBO

DEATH IN AIR ACTION REPORTED OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IN ROME. PLANE FALLS IN FLAMES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) ROME. June 29. It is officially announced in a communique that while flying over Tobruk during an enemy action a plane piloted by the GovernorGeneral of Libya. Marshal Balbo, fell in flames. Marshal Balbo, three members of the crew and five others all perished. This is reported to have happened during an air battle against English air forces, said to have come from air bases in Egypt. Tfie battle occurred a few miles from the Egyptian border. It is officially announced that the members of the crew of Marshal Balbo’s plane were Major Ottavio Ailich. the motorist .Captain Gino Capannini, and a non-commissioned wireless operator, Giuseppe Berth Also on board the plane were Signor Nello Guiiici, director of Marshal Balbo’s newspaper. "Corriere Padono,” Marshal Balbo’s nephew, Alpine Lieutenant Balbo. Air Lieutenant Gino Slorio. the Fascist Party secretary in Tripoli. Signor Enrica Caretti, and Infantry Major Cladio Brunelli. DARING SPIRIT ACHIEVEMENTS RECALLED IN BRITAIN. (British Official Wireless.) , RUGBY, June 29. The evening newspapers report prominently the death of Marshal Balbo. Outstanding features of his career, including his transatlantic flight in formation, his various visits to Britain. ' and his appointment as Governor- ' General of Libya, are recalled. It is commented that his presence as a pilot in an aircraft at a time when an aerial combat, was in progress, though occupying a high and responsible office, is typical of his daring, adventurous spirit. Regarding the death of Marshal Balbo. a Daventry broadcast reports, it is authoritatively stated in London that no British aircraft were concerned in the crash of the machine and there is no proof of the statement that he fell in battle. His presence in Italy was inconvenient to Mussolini and some years ago he was appointed Governor of Libya. He has been consistently opposed to the harnessing of Italy to Hitler’s war machine and his death, it is stated, is comparable to that of General von Fritsch, who was opposed to Hitler. Probably, the truth will never be known. SURPRISE IN CAIRO NO RECORD OF REPORTED BATTLE. (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON. June 30. The British United Press Cairo correspondent says the Italian version of Marshal Balbo’s death caused surprise there, as no confirmation is available in official circles in Cairo of any such air battle as the Italians report. Announcements from Rome indicate that eight other people were in the plane with Marshal Balbo when the crash occurred, but R.A.F. patrols in Egypt have not reported seeing any large passenger-carrying plane in the area that has been reported. One machine was seen in flames on the ground, but there was nothing to indicate its type. Other sources in Cairo say that the R.A.F. do not claim to have shot down Marshal Balbo. The R.A.F. group concerned in the attack on Tobruk did not meet a plane such as Marshal Dalbo’s and certainly there has been no air battle of the nature suggested. OPINION IN LONDON BASED ON INVESTIGATION. ITALIAN STATEMENT FALSE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.25 a.m.) RUGBY. June 30. it is now stated in London that care- ! ful investigation has established that no British aircraft were concerned in the crash of the aeroplane in which Marshal Balbo lost his life at Tobruk on Friday. There would appear, therefore, to be no foundation for yesterday’s Italian official statement that Marshal Balbo had fallen in battle.