MYSTERY DEATH OF MARSHAL BALBO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 154, 1 July 1940, Page 7

MYSTERY DEATH OF MARSHAL BALBO.

CAIRO SURPRISED.

No R.A.F. 'Planes Near Reported Air Battle.

EIGHT PERISH WITH LEADER.

United Prese Association.—Copyright. (Received noon.) LONDON", June 30. The British United Press Cairo correspondent says the Italian version of the death of Marshal Italo Balbo, Italian Governor-General of Libya, who was reported from Rome to have been killed in action while piloting an aeroplane in an air battle near Tobrnk, Cyrenaica, has caused surprise. No confirmation is available in official circles in Cairo of such an air battle as the Italians report.

Announcements in Borne indicate tint 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. It has been reported that one machine was seen aflame on the ground, but there is nothing to indicate the type of it.

Other sources in Cairo say: "The R.A.F. does not claim to have shot dowp. Marshal Balbo. The R.A.F. group concerned in the attack on Tobruk did not meet a 'plane such as Marshal Balbo's, and certainly there has been no air battle of the nature suggested."

■*It is to be noted that neither to-day's R.A.F. communique from Cairo, nor its predecessor yesterday, makes any reference to R.A.F. activity over Tobruk, such ae was mentioned in the news messages yesterday regarding the death of Marshal Bal'bo, saye a British Official Wirelees message.

It is now stated in London that careful 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 appears, therefore, to be no foundation for yesterday's Italian official statement that Marshal Balbo had fallen in battle. Crash in Flames. The Rome report by cable stated that the battle occurred a few milee from the Egyptian border and that Marshal Balbo's aeroplane, which was attacked by British machine*, crashed in flames.

An official communique issued in Rome said that while flying over Tobruk during an enemy action an aeroplane piloted by Marshal Balbo fell in flames. All members of the crew perished.

It is officially stated that the members of the crew were Pilot-Major Ottavio Ailich, Motoriet-Captain Gino Capanni and Non-Commissioned Wireless Operator Guieeppe Berti.

Aleo on board were Signor Nello Quilici, director of Marshal Eaibo's newspaper, 'Corriere Padano,' Marshal Balbo's nephew, Alpine Lientenant of the Line Balbo, Air Lieutenant Gino Slorio, the secretary of the Fascist party in Tripoli, Signor Enrica Caretti, and an infantry officer. Major Cladio Brunelli.

A British Official Wireless message says the evening newspapers in London report prominently the death of Marshal Balbo. The outstanding features of his career, including his transatlantic flight in formation, hie various visits to Britain, and his appointment as Governor-General of Libya, are recalled.

It is commented that his presence as pilot in an aircraft at a time when an aerial combat was in progress—although he was occupying a high and responsible, office—was typical of his daring and adventurous spirit.

Marshal Balbo, who wae born in 1896, wae long regarded as the most dynamic personality in Fascism after Mussolini. He was a "Fascist of thpfirst hour," and, as one of the four members of the revolutionary executive in 1922, he was the actual organiser of I the march on Rome.