Fulco Ruffo di Calabria

Name:

Country:

Italy

Rank:

Capitano

Units:

1^a, 4^a, 42^a, 44^a, 70^a, 91^a

Victories:

Born:

12 August 1884

Place of Birth:

Napoli

Died:

23 August 1946

Place of Death:

Ronchi de Apuania

On 22 November 1904, Fulco Ruffo di Calabria joined the 11th Foggia Light Cavalry Regiment. After serving in Africa, he returned to Italy and transferred to aviation in 1914. Flying the Nieuport 11, Nieuport 17 and SPAD VII, he engaged in 53 aerial combats and was credited with 20 victories. Upon the death of Francesco Baracca, Ruffo di Calibria assumed command of 91^a Squadriglia but was later relieved by Ferruccio Ranza when he suffered a nervous breakdown. Returning to duty, he assumed command of 10th Gruppo on 23 October 1918 but less than a week later, he was shot down by artillery fire near Marano.

By virtue of her marriage to Prince Albert in 1959, Ruffo di Calibria's granddaughter Paola became Queen of Belgium in 1993.

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	23 Aug 1916		1^a		Hansa-Brandenburg C.I	Gorizia/Carso
u/c	23 Aug 1916		1^a		EA	Stariski
2	16 Sep 1916	0930	70^a		Lloyd C.III	Staro Stelo
u/c	29 Dec 1916	0935	70^a		Albatros	Velichidol
u/c	01 Jan 1917	1515	70^a		Albatros	Monfalcone
3	11 Feb 1917		70^a		Hansa-Brandenburg C.I	Selvis Ozzano
4	16 Feb 1917		70^a		Albatros	Manzano/Medeuzza
u/c	28 Feb 1917	1015	70^a		EA	Gradisca d'Isonzo
5	05 May 1917		91^a		Two-seater	Sagrado
6	10 May 1917	1100	91^a		Scout	Biglia
7	12 May 1917	1900	91^a		Scout	San Marco
8	13 May 1917	a.m.	91^a		Albatros	Jelenik
9	26 May 1917	1145	91^a		Albatros	Britof
u/c	24 Jun 1917	0630	91^a		Albatros	Asiago/Cima 12
u/c	26 Jun 1917	0830	91^a		Albatros	Asiago
10	14 Jul 1917	0915	91^a		Albatros two-seater	Castagnevizza
11	17 Jul 1917		91^a		Scout	S.S. Lucia's Log
12	20 Jul 1917	0920	91^a		Two-seater	E of Nova Vas
13	20 Jul 1917	0920	91^a		Scout	E of Castagnevizza
14	25 Oct 1917	0800	91^a		EA	Lom
15	25 Oct 1917		91^a		Aviatik	Tolmino
16	25 Oct 1917		91^a		Two-seater	S of Marco
17	1918		91^a		EA
18	20 May 1918	0915	91^a		Scout	Volpago/Nervesa
19	1918		91^a		EA
20	15 Jun 1918	0710	91^a		Albatros	Grave di Papadopoli

Books

Above the War Fronts: by Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest, Gregory Alegi / Hardcover / Grub Street (September 1997)