On August 9, 1918, thousands of red, white, and green leaflets rained down on Vienna, urging the Austrians to surrender. Leading the squadron of eight Italian S.V.A.5 pursuit planes was Major Gabriele D'Annunzio. This former poet, dramatist, and aviator had organized and led one of the greatest feats of World War I. Leaving their airfield near San Pelagio, his fighters flew over treacherous mountain terrain for more than 200 miles to Vienna. Homebound, they took an alternate route near the Adriatic, for a round trip of nearly 700 miles.

D'Annunzio won great distinction for his daring bombing raids, and by the end of the war was awarded six medals for bravery. He later was proffered the title of Prince of Monte Nevoso.

The S.V.A.5 that D’Annunzio and his 87th squadron flew was among the most efficient and structurally unusual planes of the era. Its fuselage was rectangular in front and triangular behind the cockpit. Designed by Ing. G. Verduzio, the first consideration was maneuverability—to strike at Austria, their primary enemy, the Italian Flying Corps had to go over the Apennines and Alps. Powered by an S.P.A. engine, the plane's top speed was a remarkable 143.7 mph. It could climb 10,000 feet in 8 minutes and 20,000 feet in 22. Armed with two Vickers guns, the S.V.A.5 weighed 1,984 pounds when loaded.

At the war's end, nearly all pursuit squadrons were equipped with the S.V.A.5. Other tactical units of the corps were flying the S.V.A.4 bomber, a sister ship incorporating virtually identical design principles. Together these planes formed the backbone of Italy's air strength against the Central Powers from the summer of 1917 until victory.