 The first encounter took place on 12 May, when 15 Reggiane 2001s of 2° "Gruppo", while escorting (with Macchi MC.200s) three Savoia-Marchetti SM.84 of 4° "Gruppo", were attacked by nine Spitfires, and the Reggiane downed two British fighters for no losses to themselves.During the violent air combat, the Supermarine fighters shot down a "Regia Aeronautica" bomber and badly damaged the other, but the Reggiane pilots quickly reacted and shot down two Spitfires, one by "Sergente" Paolo Morcino, that had to make a crash-landing (just like his commander) close to Ispica, as his undercarriage had been damaged by a 20 mm cannon shell.That day actually the RAF lost three Spitfires