Two six-engine Messerschmitt 323 “Gigant” aircraft belonging to the 3rd Staffel took off from Venafiorita airport near Olbia, bound for Pistoia. Twenty minutes later, British fighters intercepted the two transports flying in formation. They were attacked simultaneously. The first, hit in the tail, managed to land. The crew threw a life raft into the sea, but only a few survived, as the aircraft sank within moments. The other attempted to flee to land, but exploded on impact near Mongiardino on the island of La Maddalena. Only 10 crew members survived, while the others were burned to death. The Messerschmitt “Gigant” was produced in various versions, with 200 aircraft produced, all destroyed during the war. The aircraft that crashed into the sea was found in 2012 off the coast of Caprera, at a depth of 64 meters, and is the only wreck discovered to date. It was one of the giants of the Luftwaffe’s transport air force, with a wingspan of 55 metres, a height of 10 metres and a length of 30 metres, six radial engines, and a full load weight of 45 tonnes: it could carry tanks and many soldiers.
