Lieutenant General Count Pier Ruggero Piccio was an Italian aviator and the founding Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force. With 24 victories during his career, he is one of the principal Italian air aces of World War I, behind only Count Francesco Baracca and Tenente Silvio Scaroni. Piccio rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and in later years, became a Roman senator under the Fascists before and during World War II.
Pier Ruggero Piccio in L'Illustration.
A Nieuport 11 Fighter. The Bebe Nieuport came into service in July, 1915, as Piccio began his own flying career.
Count Francesco Baracca was Italy's top fighter ace of World War I. He was credited with 34 aerial victories. The emblem he wore side by side on his plane of a black horse prancing on its two rear hooves inspired Enzo Ferrari to use it on his racing car and later in his automotive company.
Count Francesco Baracca, standing by his SPAD XIII fighter. His personal emblem, the Prancing Horse, later became the logo of Ferrari.
Arms of Baracca family
Major Francesco Baracca posed in front of his SPAD S.VII
The monument at Nervesa della Battaglia.