| 76a Squadriglia | |
|---|---|
 Nieuport 11 | |
| Active | Founded 25 May 1916 |
| Country | Kingdom of Italy |
| Allegiance | Italy |
| Branch | Corpo Aeronautico Militare |
| Type | Fighter squadron |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Nieuport 11 Hanriot HD.1 |
76a Squadriglia of theCorpo Aeronautico Militare was one of Italy's originalfighter squadrons, being founded during World War I on 25 May 1916. On 30 May 1916, the new unit began its combat career. Between 22 April and 3 October 1917, three of its commanding officers became casualties. It was drawn into the air fighting overCaporetto in late 1917, and forced to retreat three times during November as a consequence of the Italian defeat.
76a Squadriglia continued to serve through war's end, by which time they had been credited with 69 aerial victories at the cost of four dead.
76a Squadriglia was founded during World War I, on 25 May 1916, as one of Italy's originalfighter squadrons. It began at La Comina, with five pilots and fourNieuport 11 planes. Two days later, it was attached to1o Gruppo. On 30 May, it flew its first combat mission.Mario Stoppani scored the squadron's first victory on 18 July 1916.[1]
On 22 April 1917, the squadron began a string of command casualties, as it had two commanders killed and another wounded during the year (see below). Then theBattle of Caporetto defeat, with its forced retreat, caused76a Squadriglia to relocate quickly thrice in November 1917. Once joined to6o Gruppo, the squadron re-equipped withHanriot HD.1s.[1] The squadron took place in the famous air battle above its home base ofIstrana on 26 December 1917.[2]
Night bombing raids by Austro-Hungarian aircraft prompted squadron relocations on 2 and 17 February 1918. Once settled atCasoni, thesquadriglia served through the war's end in the dissolution of its opponent, theAustro-Hungarian Empire. The squadron still had 19 pilots and 17 aircraft in service. It had fought 340 combats during its 5,088 wartimesorties and staked claim to 69 victories.76a Squadriglia had paid a blood price of four killed.[1]