operations in North Africa. Here he was involved in many air combats throughout the second half of 1942, claiming at least 14 air victories and sharing many others. He claimed his first kill on 4 June, a Curtiss P-40 over Bir Hakeim. He shot down another P-40 on 17 June, over Sidi Rezegh. On 10 July, Capitano Lucchini led eleven C.202s from 84a Squadriglia, 10° Gruppo, in a free hunt mission in the El Alamein area and attacked a formation of 15 P-40s. The Curtiss P-40s formed a defensive Lufbery circle. The combat ended after 30 minutes when the Macchis had no more ammunition. Lucchini claimed a P-40 and three more were claimed by other Italian pilots. On 16 July 1942, Lucchini and other pilots from 84a, 90a and 91a Squadriglia clashed with 25 P-40 and six Spitfire fighters over Deir el Qattara. He shared in the destruction of a Curtiss fighter but his aircraft was hit by five bullets, one of them piercing a fuel tank in the left wing root, but he was able to land at El Quteifiya although stunned by fuel vapour. But he was shot down on 24 October after claiming a Curtiss P-40 and a Douglas Boston. He was hospitalized and then evacuated home with his score at 25 kills. He rejoined the 10°Gruppo once more in June 1943, just in time to take part in Home Defence. His unit was then based in Sicily. Last mission On 5 July 1943, Lucchini took off in his Macchi C.202 with 26 other pilots of 4° Stormo to intercept 52 USAAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, probably from 99th Bomber Group, that were heading to bomb the airfields around Catania, escorted by 20 Spitfires from 72 and 243 Squadrons. Lucchini was leading 10°Gruppo that consisted of the 84a Squadriglia, the 90a Squadriglia and 91a Squadriglia. The Italian made a frontal attack on the bombers over Gerbini airfield, ignoring the escorting Spitfires. In the sky of Catania, Lucchini was last seen to damage – with other pilots – three bombers and then to shoot down a Spitfire. But he was later himself shot down by heavy defensive fire and dived into the ground east of Catania. At the time of his death, Lucchini was credited with 22 air victories, making him one of the highest-ranking Italian ace. These kills were claimed in 70 aerial combats, during 294 missions