71a Squadriglia " 71a Squadriglia " of the " Corpo Aeronautico Militare " was one of the original fighter squadron s of the Italian military . Founded on 30 January 1916 to fight in World War I , the squadron served until war ' s end . It flew almost 3 , 000 combat sorties in defense of Italy at a cost of six pilots killed , scored 17 victories , and produced two aces from its ranks . History . " 71a Squadriglia " was founded in Torino on 30 January 1916 as " 2a Squadriglia Caccia " . The new unit initially lacked armament , but once machine guns were supplied for their craft , flew their first operational sorties on 18 February 1916 . On 2 March 1916 , the squadron began to redeploy to Cascina Farello ; foul weather stretched the redeployment to almost a month ' s travail . On 2 April 1916 , a squadron Nieuport 10 two - seater flew the new unit ' s first interception , with inconclusive results . On 15 April 1916 , the squadron was redesignated as the " 71a Squadriglia " . It was transferred to Villaverla on 23 May . It was subordinated to " 3o Gruppo " on 8 July 1916 . In September and October , the squadron supported the Italian Army ' s 45th Division , protecting the Asiago Plateau from attack . In December 1916 , the unit began to upgrade with Nieuport 17 s . The squadron changed commanders on 17 January 1917 , with Chiaperotti moving up to command the group , and being replaced by Amerigo Notari . On 10 May 1917 , the squadron was transferred to the newly formed " 9o Gruppo " . Late May saw the arrival of the unit ' s first Spad VII fighter ; this first example was equipped for long range photo reconnaissance . As time passed , the squadron was drawn into the burgeoning Battle of Caporetto ( see below ) . As a result , on 26 October the squadron was temporarily seconded to " 3o Gruppo " . It also lent four pilots to " 82a Squadriglia " , and received a section of SAML two - seater reconnaissance craft brought on strength . As the front moved south from Caporetto toward the Piave River , " 71a Squadriglia " came within enemy artillery range . As a result , on 23 November 1917 , the unit relocated to Sovisso . On 16 December , it was reassigned , to the newly formed " 16o Gruppo " . Early 1918 saw several changes of commander for the squadron , including Ettore Croce ' s three days in charge that was terminated by his fatal accident . On 28 July , Salvatore Breglia settled into the post , and served through war ' s end . A Hanriot HD . 1 section detached from " 75a Squadriglia " joined the " 71a Squadriglia " on 28 August 1918 . On 20 October 1918 , " 71a Squadriglia " was bisected , with one of its sections staying put while the six Spad VII s of the other section moved to Quinto di Treviso to join a section from " 75a Squadriglia " in an ad hoc squadron . On 23 October , " 71a Squadriglia " became part of " 17o Gruppo " . On 31 October 1918 , " Capitano " Breglia was wounded , but remained in command . The squadron remained active through war ' s end . During its wartime existence , it had flown 2 , 994 combat sorties . It had fought 203 combats in the sky , claimed 17 aerial victories , and lost two of its own aircraft in combat . The blood cost for the squadron was two killed in action , four killed in accidents .