GHEREGHEGHEZ: a tradition of
Italian aviation handed down uninterruptedly from the time of biplanes made of
tubes and canvas all the way to the supersonic jets of the 21st century. Born
on grass airfields as a rallying cry, we can still hear it today on modern
paved tracks as the greeting of all Italian aviators.
Squadratlantica, who celebrates
the most beautiful Italian air ventures with its high-quality products designed
in compliance with classic Italian style and strictly made in Italy, continues
this tradition with Gheregheghez, a
piece of clothing that belongs to the Italian Air Force history: the scarf.
Comfortable and elegant, in the past it
was worn with white canvas flying suits, then with Marus jackets, and today with anti-g suits.
Not just a
garment for men, Gheregheghez also
wants to remember all the women who wrote the history of the Italian “wings”.
Especially at present day, there is an increasing number of ladies in the ranks
of the Air Force as well as those in Civil Aviation.
To honor the men
and women who sacrificed themselves for our Aviation History, Squadratlantica dedicates Gheregheghez to the memory of the pilot
Captain Adriano Visconti and his
assistant Lieutenant Valerio Stefanini who
both passed away on April 29, 1945. An original portrait of the two comrades in
arms and an outline of the Macchi MC205
Veltro di Visconti fighter are enclosed with the scarf packaging.
GHEREGHEGHEZ : THE HISTORY BEHIND THE MYTH
By Igino Maria
Coggi
Inspired by World
War I voice salutes, Gheregheghez, Ghez!
was born as a war cry of the aviation fighters. It quickly spread through the
entire Regia Aeronautica and from
there it was passed onto the Air Force, which then would absorb values and traditions of the Regia
and the departments prior to it. Still today, we can hear it repeated aloud in
chorus three times at every gathering or event of the Air Force Stormi.
What does it
stand for? Some people say it’s the sound the first manual engines make, some
say it’s the burst of machine guns, and some say it’s the cry of the eagle. The
last thesis is the most validated because it is linked to the icon that best
represents aviation and aviators: the eagle. With its wings spread, it is the
universal symbol of the pilot, military or civilian. It also appears in our
aviator prayer when we ask God to "give us the wings of eagles, the eyes
of eagles, the claw of the eagles."
How was it born?
On May 7, 1923 the 1st terrestrial fighter formation (1° Stormo Caccia Terrestre) was created with command in Brescia and
flying groups in Aviano, Venaria Reale and Cinisello. It was the first organic
fighter department of the newly born Regia
Aeronautica (28 March 1923). According to tradition it’s within the 1° Stormo dell’ Arciere that Gheregheghez, Ghez! was created,
although there is a debate around the place where it was heard for the first
time which could be Cinisello or, according to other opinions, Campoformido at
the 76th Fighter Squadron of the 6th Group, one of three of the 1° Stormo.
What is certain
is that its creation dates back to the younger pilots of the department, the
rookies of the “Copper Family” (Famiglia
Rame) as they jokingly called themselves because of the little change they
had in their pockets. They were dissatisfied of the environment around them,
mainly routine work, just a few flights, arrogant elders and veterans, almost
nothing that could satisfy their passion for flying, the "engine"
that led them to enlist. Hence a movement to revolt with a pinch of carefree
spirit broke the silence. In the year 1924 at a department party, somebody from
the "Copper Family" made a cry, seemingly meaningless, in full voice.
A moment of shock, of surprise, then of acceptance. Since then Gheregheghez, Ghez! officially entered into
the 1° Stormo as a war cry. And whoever went to other departments brought it
along. In a short amount of time it was embraced by all the Regia Aeronautica and from there it was
passed onto the Air Force, which was born after the end of the war and the
establishment of the Italian Republic. With only two exceptions, one being the
4° Stormo, whose war cry “Al Lupo, Al
Lupo!” called to mind the 91st “Squadriglia degli Assi” of World War I. The
other one is the 15° Stormo, whose shout "Mammaiut,
aiut! Mammaiut, aiut! Mammaiut, aiut aiut aiut" was used on marine
patrols during World War II on the Cant-Z-501
flying boat aircraft which the crews named Mammajut.
These exceptions
aside the Gheregheghez, Ghez! is shouted
by all departments in our Air Force at every opportunity. Also guests are
invited to join in, but be careful though, any mistakes are made and it’s a
round of drinks for the whole Squadron.
Gheregheghez is a
Squadratlantica product, available at :