Caso Mestre: Metallic Disc Sighting near Venice
On a Monday morning in August 1936, multiple witnesses near the town of Mestre outside Venice observed a metallic, sharply gleaming disc estimated at ten to twelve meters in diameter. Two military aircraft scrambled from a nearby base but were unable to intercept the object due to its speed. Approximately one hour later, witnesses reported a large elongated metallic tube, grey or slate-coloured, described as resembling a flying torpedo boat with clearly visible windows. This craft ejected two smaller dome-shaped, saucer-like objects.
The incident is documented through a handwritten note on official letterhead of the Senate of the Kingdom of Italy, addressed to a certain 'Valiberghi' and signed 'Andrea'. The document was part of a package of original papers received by UFO researcher Dr. Roberto Pinotti in early 1996 by mail. These papers were connected to Mussolini's secret UFO investigation cabinet RS/33, established after the Magenta crash of 1933. Forensic analysis confirmed the documents as authentic period originals.
Background
In 1936, witnesses near Mestre (close to Venice), Italy, reported observing a metallic disc-shaped object in the sky. The sighting is associated with the broader wave of anomalous aerial phenomena reported in Italy during the 1930s.
The Incident
Witnesses near Mestre, close to Venice, observed a metallic disc-shaped object in the sky.
This occurred in 1936.
Context
The Mestre case is part of the broader wave of anomalous aerial phenomena reported in Italy during the 1930s.
Alleged Documents
Some researchers link it to the alleged Gabinetto RS/33 documents.
These purportedly describe Italian government interest in unidentified flying objects during the Fascist era.
Significance
The Mestre case is one of several pre-World War II Italian UFO reports.
It has gained renewed attention following the emergence of the Magenta crash documents.
Independent verification of 1930s-era Italian UFO cases remains extremely limited.
Significance
The case counts as one of Europe's earliest documented UFO incidents with alleged state investigation. The handwritten note on Senate stationery with forensically confirmed authenticity, plus its link to the fascist secret project RS/33, makes it unusual – even though the documents are regarded as private correspondence rather than official files. The description of a classic flying saucer from 1936, including military alert and multiple witnesses, clearly differs from later Roswell-type narratives.