Official statement of 1933: "The Second Atlantic Air Squadron under the command of General Bulbo left from Chicago at 1:15 pm (Italian time) escorted by 36 American Air Force aircraft, with regular flights, successively reported by Toledo, Erie, Niagara , from Oswego, from Kingston, the Team appeared at 20.20 in the sky of New York, where he made changes to take the formation, and at 20.55 he began to ditching.At 21.18 all the devices had happily amazed.

5th Report to the Duce

No relationship has been sent since the day the Air Squadron arrived in Chicago. I therefore think it is necessary to put V. E. aware of the latest events that refer to both our stay in that city; both the trip between Chicago and New York and the welcome received in this metropolis. If we had left the popular enthusiasm free, the Chicago demonstrations would take the form of a colossal party, as it is of the nature of this enthusiastic, young, exuberant country. All the associations of any nature and character of Illinois, the authorities, the personalities, the representatives had prepared a program of celebrations, each in its own way, very cordial and moving. Of course I had to reduce this estimate of holidays, because, having been reached the final destination of the cruise, I could have no other purpose than to leave as soon as possible, so as not to tire the crew too much on their way back. The many prepared banquets were everywhere all condensed into a single lunch, that of the Italian community, in which 5000 people took part, and the remaining program was limited to a few indispensable official parties. But I can not hide the profound impression that has made on me and on my officers the explosion of popular enthusiasm that has never been seen the same in Chicago itself. It far exceeds all our forecasts. We had a first colossal demonstration the same evening of arrival, when, as soon as we disembarked, we were led among a delirium of people to the "Soldier field", the great popular stadium that is in the enclosure of the Exposition. There were 500,000 people in the outer surroundings and inside the immense arena, a true gathering which only America is able to put together. Of these, half were certainly Italians and most of the working class, poor, humble people, who in the exaltation of fascist Italy felt the moral rehabilitation, the renewed prestige, the restored dignity of their work on the great land of America and had the feeling of counting something more, thanks to you, Duce, who sent us as your messengers. I must say that the speeches of eminent American personalities were based on the most genuine sympathy for our country. All the speakers talked about V. E. as the great animator of a united, disciplined, powerful Nation that found a new youth with the Fascist Revolution. The work of V. E. was equally exalted in the wider international sphere as a moderator of particular egoisms and guarantors of peace in the world. The Cruise was interpreted as a great message of peace, incitement to progress, demonstration of civilization. Although the atmosphere that surrounds Italy abroad has changed for years and despite the fact that I was able to document this change in my frequent journeys to foreign countries, I must say that I had never witnessed such a plebiscite consensus of people outside from the borders of Italy as on this occasion, in front of half a million people of one of the most civilized countries in the world and with such a spontaneous ardent accent of truth. I was allowed to note some nuances that have their importance: for example, all military music, Army and Navy, or civilian ones in official service, have always alternated the Royal March with the fascist anthem "Youth". Moving episodes such as the following: humble workers presented to me their children, holding them out with their arms outstretched and saying: "These are for Mussolini." Psychological symptoms like this: during the visit to the nuns of the Columbus hospital, which we made on Tuesday, the last day of our stay in Chicago. I was offered by those good, charitable religious, whom I knew to be the daughters of the Beata Caprini, bunches of flowers to the song of "Giovinezza", from the nuns intoned and performed. And always and everywhere compared the undertaking of Oceanic Centuria to the crossing of Colombo, remembering that the number of Italians carried by air routes exceeded what the Genoese led by sea. But what brought the excitement to the highest summit was the announcement that V. E. will give the city of Chicago a column of ancient Rome as a memory of the company accomplished by the eagles of the new Rome. I can not describe with such momentum of gratitude to VE the news was received, which I communicated in a reception to the notable American personalities of Italian origin, who are very numerous in Chicago and occupy eminent posts in Public Offices, Courts, High offices of the State. The communication to the Mayor, which was outside the city, will be made by Consul General Castruccio. The marble memory of Rome responds to the cult of Americans towards the great historical monuments and will be the pride of the Italian colony, which will feel the dignity of the great Mother far away. Today's journey from Chicago to New York, about 1600 kilometers in total, of which seven or eight hundred on earth, presented some difficulties in taking off, in which they are, as always. distinguished the exceptional qualities of our drivers, and it was a long one, but it was very well done, without the slightest accident, in perfect formation. We have noticed that flying over the earth strong winds against the wind and we have made quota pushing up to 3900-4000 meters, then flying for a long stretch at that height, favored by favorable winds and keeping us permanently above the clouds. The reception of New York has been resounding and such to emulate that of Chicago for popular enthusiasm, explosive and impetuous, in masses of hundreds of thousands of people who, in the momentum of the acclamations, threatened to overwhelm us and even to beat us up. From the hydroscale, located at the very tip of Brooklyn, in a very eccentric location, to our hotel, which is in the heart of Manhattan, the cheers followed us passionately. Above all moving the Italian districts, that our procession of cars discovered crossed in all its length, from Brooklyn regurgitating of small people, exultant and cheering, to the zones of the low city, that was a party of flags, to the endless Fourth Avenue, also largely inhabited by Italians. Men, women, old people, children, people of all social categories participated in the demonstration of Italianness. The pride of feeling Italian was expressed in every gesture and word. A single cry was repeated by millions of people: "Long live Italy! Viva Mussolini! "In the morning I go to Washington to visit President Roosevelt. I bring with me only a representation of the crews because it is necessary to use all the time available for a quick look at the engines and the equipment in view of the new ocean crossing. This is a summary toilet, a change of candles, arrangement of hoses, for rev counter and adjustment of tappets that we do only as a precaution. because the appliances and the engines work flawlessly and honor the Italian industry that built them. I hope to do everything in three or four days and leave immediately for Shediac. We concentrated in one day only all the holidays and in a lunch only all the lunches. I have reserved only a large popular gathering at the Stadium, where a Te-Deum of thanksgiving will be sung and where I, obeying the orders of V. E., will bring the greeting of fascist Italy to the great unworthy masses of the distant homeland. Italo Balbo"