Those dammed Hunchbacks

[jwsleser]

Helion has released the latest book by Paolo Morisi, Damned Hunchbacks. The book appears to focus on the aerosiluranti units flying the SM.79. This is a book I am unlikely to purchase as one can't buy everything and the R.A. is not my area of specialty. I will be interested to read any reviews by our R.A. experts once they have obtained a copy. Available from the UK, Amazon US will release the book on 7 November.

This is the second book by Morisi published this year. I had a mixed opinion about his Folgore book (2016) and I am still working through Steel Centurions (this is more a time issue).

Pista! Jeff

 

[1089maul]

Jeff, Your post echoes mine dated 4th August including the reading of Steel Centurions which I should finish reading in the next week. I have ordered Damned Hunchbacks and will review it when read. Regards, Bob

 

[tricci57]

There is nothing, nothing "damned' about this fine aircraft. There was not need to put that word that disgraces the aircraft, the engineers, the builders and those courageous pilots and crew that flew them. As much as I would like to have this book in my library, I will not just out of respect.

 

[jwsleser]

I don't have the book so I don't know if the author explains the title. My understanding of the title is that the British are calling the aircraft 'Damned Hunchbacks'. As in "S**t, here comes some more Damned Hunchbacks." It is a term of respect by the enemy as they fear them.

Or I could be completely wrong. Again I haven't read the book.

Pista! Jeff.

 

[tricci57]

I just wanted to express my dissappointment on how the author, proof reders, the publishing house staff and evryone else involevd like the researchers that the title should have been reviewed a few times and maybe considering this book title and tiltle the book not as offensive to the aircraft and is record.

 

[1089maul]

Tricci57, I have several books in the Aerosilurante. Whilst I cannot give a definitive answer, my understanding is that the pilots themselves gave the nickname ‘Il Gobbo Maledetto.’ This was done due to the distinctive hump in the fuselage just behind the cockpit. The literal translation is, ‘The cursed hunchback.’ The word damned may have come about as described by Jeff above. I wouldn’t let the title put you off from reading the book. I have done a short review of it on another thread. By reading it, you will be impressed by the bravery of the pilots who flew these planes, the results of their efforts and the difficult conditions that they operated under. Regards, Bob

 

[jwsleser]

Bob

Ahh, that makes more sense. Damned is an acceptable translation for maledetto (according to my Collins Sansoni Italian Dictionary). If the pilots gave the aircraft that name, it is quite appropriate to use as the title. I hope the author explains this bit of history at some point in the book.

Pista! Jeff

 

[tricci57]

Just to qualify my input, I have attended Italian schools from kindergarden to when I graduated at the LICEO STATALE "Enrico Pestalozzi"
SAN SEVERO - FG, Italy.

Just my two cents: actually the english word "damned" direct translation is "Dannato", and it means "condannato alle pene dell’inferno" (who is condemned to the pains of hell).

So, I think the author looked up the translation not from Italian to English but got a word from Italian sources for his book and translated to english and derived the word "damned", and eventually used it, without double checking if it would have been appropriate. Just my opinion.

 

[jwsleser]

Translation is always an imprecise art. Given that Morisi is Italian and that he used damned for the English translation could reflect the context in which the word maledetto was used in Italian accounts in this particular case. Again I don't know whether this is discussed in the book.

If the topic is of interest, I would don't let the title prevent you for reading the book.

Pista! Jeff

 

[1089maul]

Just to confuse matters even more! The nickname for the SM79 has intrigued me. I have contacted a Youtuber who specialises in Italian military history. He is currently running a series on the pilots of the SM79‘s. He tells me that he has heard that the nickname was given by the British volunteers fighting in the Spanish Civil War! Who knows??
For anyone interested, the YouTuber I have mentioned is @icunowlibra. The episodes are in Italian with English subtitles. I highly recommend this Chanel. The episodes are short but very interesting.
Regards, Bob