martedì 23 giugno 2015

Geregheghez - The history behind a Myth



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 :

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