Flaminio Avet

Flaminio Avet was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. Although born in Nice, France, he served in the Italian military as Italy entered World War I. After a transfer from Lancers to aviation, he trained as a pilot. He began his aerial combat career on 27 November 1918, and would stake a dozen victory claims, eight of which would be verified. He ended the war having won the Silver Medal for Military Valor three times. He returned to Nice postwar, and died there on 21 August 1928.

Early life and ground service Flaminio Avet was born in Nice, France on 3 August 1890. Despite being born in France, he joined Italy's 9th "Firenze" Lancers Regiment as an officer as World I heated up.

Aerial service in World War I Avet transferred to aviation in early 1916; he made his first flight in a Blériot on 25 May 1916. On 9 September 1916, he was granted his pilot's wings; on 15 November, he gained his military pilot's brevet. On 1 January 1917, he qualified on Aviatiks. On 3 February 1917, he was posted to 73a Squadriglia as a two-seater pilot. He flew his first combat sortie on 14 March 1917.

Post World War I On 1 February 1919, the Bongiovanni report from Italy's military intelligence confirmed eight of Avet's victories. Avet returned to Nice, France, where he died on 21 August 1928.

Endnotes 4. Gentilli et al., 2003, p89.