First airman killed in Abyssinian war given military funeral . The first airman killed in the Abyssinian war , Sergeant Birngo Dalmazio , a 24 year old flight sergeant and mechanic of the Italian forces who was wounded while on a bombing raid , was buried with full military honours in Asmara . Dalmazio , , who was hit by a dum dum bullet while flying with Lieutenant Sanze on a bombing raid on a decoy native camp in the valley between Enda Micael and Buja , was taken to hospital at Asmara but died from his wounds . Photo shows , the funeral service at Asmars church . The body has just been placed on a truck in the presence of Count Ciano ( marked with an X ) , Mussolini ' s son in law , and brother officers , while an Askari guard of honour presents arms on the right . 28 November 1935