Italo Balbo

Italo Balbo (1886-1940) was an Italian politician and aviation pioneer, best known for his role as a prominent supporter of Benito Mussolini during Italy's Fascist regime. Initially a soldier in World War I, he later became the governor of Libya and is famous for leading transatlantic flights in the 1930s, promoting aviation. Balbo was instrumental in developing Italy's airpower and served briefly as Italy's Minister of Aviation. Despite his loyalty to Fascism, he often clashed with other leaders and was ultimately killed in a plane crash, which some speculate may have been orchestrated due to political rivalries.