Antonio Amantea
Encyclopedia
Sottotenente Antonio Amantea was a World War I flying ace
credited with five aerial victories. He lived to become the last surviving Italian ace of the war.
On 2 August 1917, he scored his first confirmed victory, although he had to break off his attack because of a bum magneto and sputtering engine and crashland his own plane. He submitted a claim for the 23rd that went unverified. However, he had better luck the next day, sharing a confirmed win over an Albatros D.III
with Antonio Riva
but not having a solo second victory confirmed. In December 1917, he upgraded to piloting a Spad VII. By the time he ended his triumphant string on 3 May 1918, he had posted nine victory claims to have five confirmed under the stringent rules used by the Italians.
, and worked his way up to Colonello by June 1940, when Italy entered World War II. He was commanding Galatina Airfield when Italy declared its armistice on 8 September 1943. He served three more years, retiring in 1946. By the time of his death on 13 July 1983, he was the last surviving Italian ace from World War I.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories. He lived to become the last surviving Italian ace of the war.
World War I service
Amantea was working as an electrician when he was conscripted into Italian military in September 1914. He volunteered for aviation. A year later, on 1 September 1915, Sergente Amantea pinned on his wings. His first assignment was to fly artillery spotting missions in a Caudron G-3 on the Isonzo front. He flew 173 combat sorties over the next few months before being picked for fighter training in February 1917. In late March, he returned to action as a member of 71a Squadriglia, flying over the Asiago plateau.On 2 August 1917, he scored his first confirmed victory, although he had to break off his attack because of a bum magneto and sputtering engine and crashland his own plane. He submitted a claim for the 23rd that went unverified. However, he had better luck the next day, sharing a confirmed win over an Albatros D.III
Albatros D.III
The Albatros D.III was a biplane fighter aircraft used by the Imperial German Army Air Service and the Austro-Hungarian Air Service during World War I. The D.III was flown by many top German aces, including Manfred von Richthofen, Ernst Udet, Erich Löwenhardt, Kurt Wolff, and Karl Emil Schäfer...
with Antonio Riva
Antonio Riva
Capitano Antonio Riva, was an Italian pilot and a World War I flying ace, credited with seven confirmed and seven unconfirmed aerial victories.-World War I service:...
but not having a solo second victory confirmed. In December 1917, he upgraded to piloting a Spad VII. By the time he ended his triumphant string on 3 May 1918, he had posted nine victory claims to have five confirmed under the stringent rules used by the Italians.
Postwar
Amantea left Italian aviation with the rank of Tenente. In 1922, he returned. He fought in the Ethiopian WarSecond Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
, and worked his way up to Colonello by June 1940, when Italy entered World War II. He was commanding Galatina Airfield when Italy declared its armistice on 8 September 1943. He served three more years, retiring in 1946. By the time of his death on 13 July 1983, he was the last surviving Italian ace from World War I.