Antonio Locatelli

Antonio Locatelli (19 April 1895 – 27 June 1936) was a pioneering Italian aviator and National Fascist Party legislator. He served in Gabriele d'Annunzio's air squadron during the First World War and was decorated for his role in the famous Flight over Vienna. In 1924, he attempted a transatlantic flight but was forced down into the seas off Greenland, whence he was rescued. After this, he became a deputy to Parliament and the Podestà of Bergamo. He was killed during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.

Early life Locatelli was the son of Samuel Locatelli and Anna Gelfi, a family of modest financial standing in Bergamo, Italy. From 1908 until his graduation in 1913, he attended the Bergamo Industrial Institute. He was a keen mountaineer in his youth, climbing the Adamello, Trentino, with his brother Carlo. He then became chief technician at the Ansaldo di Cornigliano Ligure.

Aviator Having joined a flying unit of the army, Locatelli was granted his pilot's license in 1915. He went on to fly 523 sorties during World War I, starting out in reconnaissance and then flying fighters and bombers. He was particularly celebrated for performing solo reconnaissance over Zepellin yards in Friedrichshafen and flying over Vienna on 9 August 1918. He was subsequently downed and captured by the Austrians, spending some time at Sigmundsherberg POW camp. In recognition of his valour, he received gold and silver medals and was made a knight of the Military Order of Savoy. ), he left Pisa, Italy, on 25 July 1924, heading west. Locatelli's attempt came to an end on 21 August when heavy fog forced a landing 120 miles short of Greenland. Damage sustained to the plane's engine carriers precluded the resumption of the flight. Four days earlier, he had met up with the American team led by Lowell Smith, who were to be ultimately successful in setting the record, in Reykjavík, and had intended to accompany them on the circumnavigation. It was this chance meeting which ultimately saved their lives as the Americans raised the alarm when Locatelli failed to arrive in Greenland and the found them after a search by a flotilla of craft.

In the letters he sent to his mother between March and May 1936, Locatelli described his war experience. Below are some excerpts from his diary:

Death

After the capture of Addis Ababa and the proclamation of the Empire, Locatelli was tasked by Marshal Rodolfo Graziani to fly to Nekemte, in the far west of the country, to receive the submission of a local Oromo leader. Locatelli departed for Nekemte with Air Brigadier General Vincenzo Magliocco on 26 June with three aircraft. After landing, the crew set up camp around the aircraft. During the night, the camp was attacked by Ethiopian guerrillas led by Keflè Nesibù and Belay Haileab. They set fire to the planes and killed all the Italians, except Father Borello, who was able to witness the scene thanks to the fact that he had secluded himself in the woods a few dozen meters away. Borello later reported that "there was almost no resistance. Some [Italians] remained trapped in the burning planes. Others attempted a defence, but were immediately shot down. As for the Galla guards who were supposed to protect us, they fled at the first shots."

After the discovery of the Lechemti massacre, Locatelli and the other members of the crew were awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor. Many memorials were set up after his death, especially around his native Bergamo. These sites have since become focal points for neo-fascists.

Memorials

The following were dedicated to the memory of Antonio Locatelli: Via Antonio Locatelli and the rationalist style fountain with an aviator's bust, Bergamo a bronze bust at the 3rd AVES "Aquila" Regiment, Orio al Serio a bust by Giovanni Avogadro located in the Torre dei Caduti, Bergamo the Bergamo Section Antonio Locatelli of the Italian Alpine Club Antonio Locatelli Primary School, Cavernago Antonio Locatelli Hut in Tre Cime di Lavaredo Natural Park