Italo Balbo vs Lavr Kornilov

Balbo led a mass transatlantic flight of 24 Savoia-Marchetti S.55 flying boats from Italy to the Century of Progress exposition in Chicago. The flight demonstrated Italian aviation prowess and was a major propaganda success for the Fascist regime.

Balbo was appointed governor of the Italian colony of Libya. He implemented infrastructure projects, including the Litoranea Balbia coastal highway, and pursued a policy of Italian settlement, but also faced resistance from local populations.

Balbo was flying as a passenger in a Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 when his aircraft was shot down by Italian anti-aircraft fire over Tobruk, Libya. The incident was officially ruled an accident, though some suspected deliberate action by rivals within the Fascist hierarchy.

General Kornilov, as Commander-in-Chief, marched troops toward Petrograd in an attempt to seize power from the Provisional Government. The coup failed due to lack of support and resistance from workers and soldiers. Kornilov was arrested and imprisoned.

After escaping from prison, Kornilov became the commander of the Volunteer Army, the core of the White forces in southern Russia. He led the First Kuban Campaign, a strategic retreat through hostile territory, but was killed by a shell in April 1918.

Kornilov was killed by a direct hit from a Bolshevik shell while besieging Yekaterinodar. His death was a severe blow to the White movement. The Bolsheviks exhumed his body and publicly displayed it before burning it.