Complex sentence: The SM.79 flown by "Sottotenente" Ruffini was hit by anti-aircraft fire from a British warship and crashed; then, two Gloster Gladiators intercepted the remaining bombers.
Split into simpler sentences: The SM.79 flown by Sottotenente Ruffini was hit by anti-aircraft fire from a British warship and crashed. Then, two Gloster Gladiators intercepted the remaining bombers.