MARSHAL BALBO DEAD

Southland Times, Issue 24166, 1 July 1940, Page 5

MARSHAL BALBO DEAD

CRASH IN FLAMES DURING ACTION

AIR BATTLE AGAINST BRITISH FORCES FLIGHT OVER ATLANTIC RECALLED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 30, 6.30 p.m.) ROME, June 29. It is officially announced in a communique that while flying over Tobruk during enemy action, an aeroplane containing Marshal Italo Balbo, Governor of Libya, fell in flames. Marshal Balbo and the members of the crew perished. Marshal Balbo is reported to have been killed during an air battle against British air forces, supposedly from air bases in Egypt.-The battle occurred a few miles from the Egyptian border. It is officially announced that the members of the crew of Marshal Balbo’s aeroplane were the pilot, Major Ottavio Ailich, the motorist, Captain Gino Capannini, and a non-commis-sioned wireless operator, Guiseppe Berti. Also on board the aeroplane were Signor Nello Guilici, director of Marshal Balbo’s newspaper, Corriere Padono, Marshal Balbo’s nephew, Alpine Lieutenant Lime Balbo, Air Lieutenant Gino Slorio, the Fascist Parti' secretary in Tripoli, Signor Enrica Caretti, and Major Cladio Brunelli. Evening newspapers in London report prominently the death of Marshal Balbo and the outstanding feature of his career, including his trans-Atlantic flight in formation. His various visits to Britain and his appointment as Governor of Libya are recalled. It is commented that his presence in the aircraft at a time when aerial combat was in progress, although occupying a liigh and responsible office, is typical of his daring and adventurous spirt. SUBVERSIVE ACTION IN TRANSVAAL (Received June 30, 7.30 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, June 29. Stop-the-war meetings held in many parts of the Transvaal passed resolutions demanding that the Government seek immediate peace with Italy . and Germany and attacking a governmental order for the surrender of privatelyowned rifles. Meetings urged owners not to comply. a