76a Squadriglia was founded during World War I, on 25 May 1916, as one of Italy's original
fighter squadrons. It began at La Comina, with five pilots and four
Nieuport 11 planes. Two days later, it was attached to
1o Gruppo. On 30 May, it flew its first combat mission.
Mario Stoppani scored the squadron's first victory on 18 July 1916. On 22 April 1917, the squadron began a string of command casualties, as it had two commanders killed and another wounded during the year (see below). Then the
Battle of Caporetto defeat, with its forced retreat, caused
76a Squadriglia to relocate quickly thrice in November 1917. Once joined to
6o Gruppo, the squadron re-equipped with
Hanriot HD.1s. Night bombing raids by Austro-Hungarian aircraft prompted squadron relocations on 2 and 17 February 1918. Once settled at
Casoni, the
squadriglia served through the war's end in the dissolution of its opponent, the
Austro-Hungarian Empire. The squadron still had 19 pilots and 17 aircraft in service. It had fought 340 combats during its 5,088 wartime
sorties and staked claim to 69 victories.
76a Squadriglia had paid a blood price of four killed. ==Commanding officers==