Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere

P.108A


In response to a request in November 1942, the P.108A Artigliere "gunship" was developed for anti-shipping duties as an alternative to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

It was armed with a modified high velocity [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] 1941 model (90/53 mm) gun mounted in a redesigned nose.

This was considered to provide the best combination of precision and range of all Italian artillery, and in several
versions was used as an anti-aircraft and anti-tank gun by the Army and the Navy.

To be more effective in its new role, the size of the gun was increased from 90 mm (3.5 in) to 102 mm (4 in),
a non-standard Italian artillery calibre, and fired shells weighing 13 kg (30 lb) as opposed to the standard gun's 10 kg
(20 lb), with a muzzle velocity of over 600 m/s (1,970 ft/s).

This weapon has only been superseded in calibre, on aircraft, by the low velocity 105 mm (4 in) modified [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (23 calibres in length) carried on a mobile mounting in the flanks of the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]'s 3.2 m (10.5 ft) wide fuselage.

The gun together with its recoil system weighed 1,500 kg (3,300 lb).

Due to it being a re-bored smaller gun, its weight was relatively low for its calibre.

The P.108A was not particularly unusual at the time, as medium bombers such as the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and even smaller attack-aircraft like the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] were fitted with high-velocity 75 mm (2.6 in) guns despite being one or two categories lighter.

The gun was mounted longitudinally in the fuselage centreline, at a depressed angle, and had a very strong recoil action which the 27 tonne (30 ton) airframe was nevertheless able to absorb.

The amount of ammunition that could be carried was around 50-60 rounds for the main gun, as well as up to three standard [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] or two radio-guided torpedoes (a secret weapon which was never used in combat), and finally the standard defensive weapons in the fuselage and wings.

The 102 mm (4 in) gun was intended to be fitted with a ballistic sight with an analogue computer, and a six or 12 round mechanical loader.

Initial modifications were made to MM.24318 which on 16 December 1942 flew to Savona, Villanova d'Albenga airfield.

The modifications were completed in February 1943, and testing commenced on 3 March.

Testing of the P.108A was satisfactory, achieving a maximum speed of around 440 km/h (270 mph) due to the more aerodynamic redesigned nose.

It flew to Furbara on 19 March, and later to Pisa on 16 April, where it carried out a series of firing trials at altitudes
between 1,500 and 4,500 m (4,900 and 14,800 ft) to collect the ballistic data for negative angles of elevation that was required to allow the computing gunsight to be produced.

After totalling 24 hr, 40 min of flight and weapons trials, it returned to Albenga.

Enthusiasm was high when it was presented as the new official attack machine at Furbara on 22 May, and it was
planned to build five further P.108As, as well as convert another five or possibly all P.108s available.

But on 29 June, it was decided to produce no more than five aircraft, and in July, the order was further limited to two, and eventually cancelled. On 6 and 8 September, the lone P.108A made other weapons tests over the sea, finally equipped with the S.Giorgio calibration/aiming system.

German forces took control of the P.108A and painted it in their insignia, but it was damaged soon afterwards by
Allied bombing.

Repaired by 7 April 1944, it finally flew to Rechlin where it was probably destroyed in one of the many Allied bombing raids.

Although the P.108A proved to be capable, and fired over 280 shells in testing, the Armistice and the never-ending change of priorities halted its development.

The use of such large aircraft in a dangerous anti-ship role was however questionable
(at sea level 360 km/h (220 mph) was the best safely achievable), the cost was even greater than standard bombers, and the improved naval anti-aircraft defences ([Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], P-F shells, and fire-control radar) led Germany to rely on (relatively) long-range missiles like the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

These were much more effective, as was demonstrated on 9 September 1943, when the Italian Navy was attacked by their ex-allies.

The Germans launched a number of missiles against the Italian battleships, sinking the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and damaging the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien],
causing over 1,300 deaths.

The three armoured decks of RM Roma could withstand hits from battleship-calibre guns, with over 200 mm (7.9 in)
thickness overall, so such results were well outside the capabilities of a medium calibre gun, even when air-transported.

P.108C/T


While the P.108B's troubled development continued, Piaggio's workload was further stressed by the request for new transport aircraft, capable of long-range flights to South America for Linee Aeree Transcontinentali Italiane (LATI).

The intention in 1939 to license-build the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] wasn't realised, so in 1940, it was proposed to use the P.108C as an "interim" transport, awaiting the P.126C and even the P.127C six-engined variant.

They were planned to have a[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] to accommodate 32 passengers in a wider fuselage, but no armament.

The prototype first flew on 16 July 1942, when there were no longer any transatlantic lines to serve.

Despite this, and the inability of Piaggio to deliver P.108B bombers on time, an order for a further five P.108Cs was placed.

On 26 March 1941, the P.108T military cargo version was ordered.

This unpressurised variant was fitted with one [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] dorsal turret, one [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in the ventral turret, and two flank machine guns, all of 12.7 mm (.5 in) calibre, and was capable of 440 km/h (270 mph).

Through a ventral door 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide, it was possible to fit two [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Internal volume was over 77 m³ (2,700 ft³), and could carry up to 60 soldiers, eight torpedoes or 12 tonnes (13 tons) of cargo.

After many changes in design, the first P.108T flew on 7 September 1942.

Although the 148ma Squadriglia was intended to use both P.108Cs and P.108Ts, only a few were built before the
Germans took control of production, subsequently at least 11 other examples were completed.

Four P.108Cs and five P.108Ts were handed over to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and used on the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], notably during the 1944 evacuation of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] troops from the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] following the fall of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

The P.108C (civil [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], with 32 seats) and T (military transport) were more reliable than the bomber variants, and their capability of carrying heavy loads (such as two dismantled fighters) was important, as the Luftwaffe did not have many heavy transport aircraft, relying mainly on the smaller [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

These aircraft also had four 13 mm (.51 in) [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] as defensive armament, with one in a dorsal turret, one in a ventral position, and two waist positions.

One example, known as "Die General", was destroyed on Salonicco airfield. Transportfliegerstaffel 5 operated most of these aircraft and used them until the end of the war, with one assigned to the links between Italy and Germany and the other on the Eastern front.

On 10 August 1944, an air raid destroyed six of them.

Another four were destroyed or captured in 1945. The P.108T-2, a postwar version, was proposed but without success, and thus ended the P.108 series history.

Operational history


P.108Bs were deployed in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] theatres and first saw action in an unsuccessful day mission against a destroyer on 6 June, releasing 10 160 kg (350 lb) bombs.

The aircraft were effectively used a few weeks later, with a night bombing raid over [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] on 28 June 1942.

Gibraltar

The first operation to Gibraltar was almost a disaster, out of five aircraft which set out from [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], one (MM.22004) was forced to return due to engine trouble while the other four bombed with 66 100 kg (220 lb) and six 250 kg (550 lb) bombs.

Three of them, short of fuel were forced to land in [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], two of which (MM.22001 and 22005) crashed or suffered some damage in forced landings).

The third (MM.22007) landed in Majorca, a former Italian base in the Spanish Civil War and thanks to the
Spanish pro-Axis policy was quickly refuelled and took off from [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] for Italy.

The two others remained in Spain: MM.22001 crashed on a beach when it was approaching Valencia airport and was written off, MM.22005 suffered minor damage and was stored in San Javier air base but was repaired and tested by the Spanish Air Force.

Several other missions were launched until October which resulted in some damage and further losses.

An attempt to change to SM.82s was an expedient (as was the P.108, expecting more from the future P.133).

For a chronology there were sorties to Gibraltar (without the endurance problems that dogged the first mission), during the night of 3 July (MM.22601 failed to return), 24 September (MM22004 and 22603), 20 October (MM.22002 (written off during an emergency landing after engine failure on takeoff), MM.22004, 22006 and 22007) and 21
October (MM.22602 (destroyed during an emergency landing at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]) and two other P.108s), when the
"peak" was reached.

Each of these missions, involving one to four aircraft (15 sorties in total), was unsuccessful and resulted in around 33% losses.

The results were poor, with one [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and some artillery positions destroyed on the ground in the first, "big" mission and further unspecified damage in the others, despite intensive long-range mission crew training between 3 July and September.

On 28 October, MM22007 force-landed in Algeria on its third sortie, making in total at least 16 sorties with one aircraft missing, two lost in Spain, two lost in Algeria and one lost in Italy.

Algeria and Africa


Following the Allied invasion of French North Africa, codenamed "[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]", more losses were sustained when
these aircraft flew missions over Algeria and other African targets.

The Allies had over 160 warships and 250 merchant ships in the region.

The Luftwaffe had 1,068 aircraft in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the Regia had 285 aircraft in Sardinia of which 115 were torpedo-bombers.

At least three were downed over Africa in this series of raids, for the most part claimed by [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Nonetheless, in Algeria they struck targets in Bona (now called [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]), [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Blinda, Philippeville (now called [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]), Maison Blanche and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Some ships were damaged by P.108s in the latter and Algerian raids and over other targets they destroyed some aircraft.

These bombers were the only ones capable of flying the 2,000 km (1,240 mi) to Oran.

The 274 Squadriglia had only eight P.108s and with them performed only 28 sorties in eight night missions, during a whole month.

Three were shot down by night fighters, which on only one occasion were repelled by the wing turrets.

Two P.108s were shot down by [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Beaufighters in the attack over Algeria's port and the last of these missions was flown on 20 January.

Sevicability dropped to one or two aircraft and so with the need for refurbishment, the P.108s returned to the mainland.

Sicily


The final action took place over Sicily, when the 274ma was reinforced up to the basic force of eight machines.

They flew 12 sorties against the invasion force between 11 and 22 July.

Losses included two aircraft destroyed and two others badly damaged, mainly by Beaufighter and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Only one ship was damaged - this closed the career of 274ma and the P.108B.

The last of the 24 P.108Bs ordered was delivered in August.

Of these aircraft, six were lost to enemy action (three over Algeria, two over Sicily and perhaps one over Spain), four to accidents (including the one involving Mussolini) and three to forced landings (one in Algeria and two over Spain).

Variants


Production totals of the P108C and T are unclear, but combined there were approximately 16 built, with most of the P108Cs subsequently converted to the transport version.

• Prototype : MM 22001
  
• Series 1 : MM 22002—22008, MM 22601—22604
  
• Series 2 : MM 24315—24326
  
• Series 3 : MM 24667—24678
  

P.108 Prototype


P.108A Artiglieri

Anti-shipping version. One built.


P.108B Bombardiere

Heavy bomber version. 24 built.


P.108C Civile

Civil transport version. Uncertain number built, but probably six.


P.108M Modificato

Intended modification of P.108B with heavier armament. None built


P.108T Trasporto

Transport version. More than 12 (including converted P.108Cs).


P.133

Advanced version of the P.108B with better engines and increased bombload. Not completed.

Bibliography

• Bignozzi, Giorgio. "The Italian 'Fortress' (part 1)." Air International Vol. 31 No. 6, December 1986.
  pp. 298–305, (part 2)." Air International, Vol. 32 No. 1, January 1987. pp. 29–31, pp. 47–49.
  
• Garello, Giancarlo. Il Piaggio P.108 (in Italian). Rome: Edizioni Bizzarri, 1973.
  
• Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. London: Bounty Books, 2006. ISBN
  0-753714-60-4.
  
• Pedriali, Ferdinando. "Le Fortezze Volanti Italiane. (in Italian)" RID magazine, November 1991, pp. 60–65.
  
• Sgarlato, Nico. "P.108, la Fortezza della Regia". (in Italian) Great Planes monographes, N.27, March 2007. Parma,
  Italy: West-ward edizioni.
  

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