Consequently, the first BR.20 loss occurred on 8 of June. On 9 June, the 31° "Gruppo" arrived from Aviano, equipped with a total of 18 bombers, but, in less than three months, the units had lost 12 BR.20s. In addition to bombing missions, the BR.20s also performed anti-submarine patrols in the theatre. During October, the 37° "Stormo" arrived in Sicily with the 116° "Gruppo", based on Fontanarossa airfield, and the 55° "Gruppo", in Gerbini. But within the first month those units too lost nine aircraft as a result of accidents or to enemy fire.