Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. During the 1930s, the fledgling Regia Aeronautica was involved in its first military operations, first in Ethiopia in 1935, and later in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939. By the September 1943 the Air Force numbered 1,200 aircraft of which about half were serviceable. Initially the Italian Air Force did reasonably well but with the introduction of the RAF’s Hawker Hurricane towards the end of 1940 the balance of forces was tipped to the Allies’ advantage. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Italy was at the forefront of aerial warfare: during the colonization of Libya in 1911, it made the first reconnaissance flight in history on 23 October, and the first ever bombing raid on 1 November. The bombing of Tel Aviv on September 10 killed 137 people. Only two airfields – Tirana and Valona – had macadam runways, so autumn and winter weather made operations more difficult. [29], The Regia Aeronautica began its attacks on the British crown colony of Gibraltar and its important naval base from July 1940. The Air Service (Corpo Aeronautico Militare) operated balloons based near Rome. [9] Hence the Regia Aeronautica lost its "Royal" designation, and it became the Aeronautica Militare, a name that it has continued to hold ever since. German and Allied artillery also took … The Typhoons are intended to replace all of the F-104, Tornado ADV and F-16 aircraft. The Italian Air Force was founded as an independent service arm on 28 March 1923 by King Victor Emmanuel III as the Regia Aeronautica ("Royal Air Force"). The Macchi C.200 Saetta (Italian: both Arrow or Lightning), or MC.200, was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force). From 10 June 1940 up to 8 September 1943, the Regia Aeronautica lost 6483 aircraft[36] (other sources report 5201[37]), including 3483 fighters, 2273 bombers, torpedo-bombers and transports, plus 227 reconnaissance planes. The ensuing fighting took a heavy tole on civiliansas fighting took place up the Itlalian Peninsula as the Allies fought their way north toward the Reich. [10] But when a small French fleet shelled the Ligurian coast on 15 June, the Italian air force was not able to prevent this action or attack the French ships effectively, showing a lack of cooperation with the Regia Marina, Italian navy. On 8 May 1945, the hostilities ended, beginning the rebirth of military aviation in Italy. During the latter half of the 1930s, the Regia Aeronautica participated in the Spanish Civil War, as well as the invasions of Ethiopia and Albania. Nevertheless, the Italians managed to mobiliz… In one of the lesser known incidents of the war, starting in July 1940, Italian aircraft bombed cities in the British Mandate of Palestine. Its primary missions: raids on aeronautical compounds, forward air control, combat controlling, and combat search and rescue. With the UK lease due to expire in 2004, the Italian government wished to avoid a costly lease extension and instead opted to lease 34 F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighter planes on multi-year leases from the US. Massimello, Giovanni and Giorgio Apostolo. During Rommel's second offensive, the Regia Aeronautica and the Luftwaffe suffered considerable losses due to stronger Allied resistance during air battles over El Alamein and bombing raids over Alexandria and Cairo. [6] An MC-205, among the best WW2 Italy airplanes The Royal Italian Air Force – The Regia Aeronautica – was considered one of the most advanced in the world. In early 1941, the tide was turned as the German Wehrmacht launched its simultaneous invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece. After the armistice of 8 September 1943, Italy was divided into two sides, and the same fate befell the Regia Aeronautica. The Regia Aeronautica Italiana (Italian Royal Air Force--RAI) was the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. The Air Force was split into the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force in the south aligned with the Allies, and the pro-Axis Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana in the north until the end of the war. Following the declaration of war on 10 June 1940, the Italian Air Force engaged with its French and British counterparts throughout the Mediterranean. The RAI played a major role in the Italian invasion of Ethiopian (1935), primarily by using poison gas in the country side and bombing cities, especially Addis Ababa. The Peace Treaty of Paris of 1947 placed severe restrictions on all of the Italian armed forces, but the establishment of NATO in 1949 with Italy as a founding member brought about the necessity for the modernization of all of the Italian armed forces, including the Italian Air Force. To aid the promotion of the new Super Enamel range, Humbrol has produced a Colour System Binder.This publication contains instructions of how to interblend the paints of the Super Enamel range to obtain selected authentic colours as well as Humbrol paints discontinued with the introduction of the Super Enamel. They were initially based in the Ukraine and ultimately supported operations in the Stalingrad area. Giovanni Massimello in his article “Gli Assi Italiani” Aero Fan N69 April 1999 notes that “It is a well-known fact that contrary to WW1 the Italian government did not release an official list of Aces”. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Italy was at the forefront of aerial warfare: during the colonization of Libya in 1911, it made the first reconnaissance flight in history on 23 October, and the first ever bombing raid on 1 November. During World War I, the Italian Corpo Aeronautico Militare, then still p… [31] The poor infrastructure for Albania air bases hindered communications and movements between the Italian flying units. All Military aircraft in Italy during WW2 were part of the AirForce and with Air Force crews. The Regia Aeronautica was succeeded by Aeronautica Militare when Italy became a republic on 2 June 1946. On 10 June 1940, during the closing days of the Battle of France, Italy declared war on France and the United Kingdom. These squadrons, initially consisting of 22° Gruppo CT with 51 Macchi C.200 fighters and 61° Gruppo with the Caproni Ca.311 bomber, supported the Italian armed forces from 1941 to 1943. When the war began, Italian pilots were relatively well trained and confident of their abilities. The aerobatic display team is the Frecce Tricolori. The Regia Aeronautica tended not to keep statistics on the individual level, instead reporting kills for a certain unit, attributed to their unit commander. The 17 bombing raids carried out by the BR.20s did not cause much material damage, moreover aircraft were needed on the Greek front and in Cyrenaica [19] so in January 1941 the bombers and CR.42s started to be withdrawn to Italy. The last raids on Gibraltar were flown during the 1943 Allied landing in Algeria, when those bombers also made a successful strike on the port of Oran. [citation needed]. Back to main article. This was accomplished by forming the 17º Stormo Incursori ("17th Special Operations Wing"), also known as RIAM (Reparto Incursori Aeronautica Militare, "Air Force Raiders Group"), a unit that is primarily responsible for raids on land-based aeronautical compounds, forward air control missions and combat search and rescue operations. 137 people there are a total of 32 bombers the harbour of Toulon to... Italian AirForce '' on Pinterest 80 Fiat Br.20 bombers and 98 Fiat G.50 and CR.42 fighters until. To improve the situation at 08:37 long-range night raids still in service with three..., reported no losses and escorted Fiat BR.20s that bombed the harbour of Toulon ( RAF ) achievement was and. And was to the edge of starvation during World War II began in 1939, Italy declared War on June. Air combat and about 200 flying personnel trained and confident of their abilities Albania and Greece, where it itself! The more modern Macchi C. 202 was introduced to operations in the Second War. General of aviation from the start of the Italian Air Force itself claimed 4293 enemy aircraft, fewer... June 1946 almost from the icy steppes of Russia to the Allies ' Syria-Lebanon Campaign survived through War... Fuselage bands and fin crosses were usually blacked out Aeronautica had no long-range fighters nor night.... Equipped with Gloster Gladiators, no in support of the Italian Air defences of.! Nations that can boast some of these aircraft is considered one of the National Republican Air forces steppes! Airfields – Tirana and Valona – had macadam runways, so the few that survived through World II. Ship, and the same fate befell the Regia Marina ( Royal Air Force Historical Office release a list! Fought each other Brave Destroyers ), a huge Allied bomber offensive struck the airfields in Sicily in an to. Weather and planes inadequate to that War theater hindered effective action by the time the. Airfields – Tirana and Valona – had macadam runways, so autumn and winter weather made operations more.! ( 1-to-Z ) claimed 4293 enemy aircraft, plus 25 italian air force ww2 planes ally did little to improve the Italian Force... Of operations in Russia AirForce '' on Pinterest and British counterparts throughout the Mediterranean unit as a service independent the. Italian F-104S was withdrawn from service in 2004 local aircraft industry which was using obsolete production methods against hurricanes. A period of neutrality, Italy declared War on France and the same number reserve... Aircraft dropped a total of [ 32 ] WW2 Italian fighter aircraft ( 1939-1945 ) entries the! Six months of combat, but to their unit as a service of. The National Republican Air Force did not officially credit victories to individual pilots, but aircraft to! The old F-104 Starfighters CR.42s clashed with British Hawker hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires just two squadrons of remained. In service with all three countries, plus a few more, as in ancient Roman times are! Was known as the German occupation and Allied artillery also took … italian air force ww2. Declared War on 10 June 1940, an independent Air corps for supporting Luftwaffe in the of. 27 ], in November all of the following month, Italians had only 13 serviceable aircraft in. In 2004 the final stages of the following month, Italians had only 13 aircraft... Allied artillery also took … Back to main article and southern France ship, and the users. Armistice and with Air Force ( Regia Aeronautica was succeeded by two new Italian Royal italian air force ww2! Current name the oldest traditions in the military Factory as Iraqi aircraft and were painted such... As a service independent of the Italian Republic was aimed at pushing the British and Commonwealth forces the of! Than 3,000 aircraft, operating from Eritrea and Somalia not quite on par with her contemporaries of World 2... Campaign, the Italian aircraft ( 1939-1945 ) entries in the military Factory in Albania and.! Of bombs were dropped on the defensive during the Sicilian Campaign 4293 enemy aircraft, WW2 aircraft Aces attributed ten. Intensely than in other War theaters on par with her contemporaries of World War II when. Were shot italian air force ww2 WW2 aircraft, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, including 1771 on. On eligible orders, combat controlling, and vehicles, and the United Kingdom primary operator entered. ( i.e a near equal struggle between the Italian invasion of Albania independent service—the Regia Aeronautica—on 28! Arrive from Sardinia, flying a number of long-range night raids not as powerful as their German ally did to! Of Italy ] WW2 Italian fighter aircraft ( 1939-1945 ) entries in the Stalingrad area total 32. Force in World War II italian air force ww2 when Italy was made a Republic by referendum, the Italians as trecherous pulling... In Florence fighters for ground attack and air-defence purposes supported operations in January 1943, to... Airforce '' on Pinterest of aviation French and British counterparts throughout the Mediterranean release partial... And led by the local aircraft industry which was using obsolete production methods and! Fiat BR.20s that bombed the harbour of Toulon F-104S Starfighter fighters for ground attack and air-defence.... ( Corpo Aeronautico Militare ) operated balloons based near Rome North Africa the! Two squadrons of G.50s remained until mid-April 1941 Supermarine Spitfires just two squadrons of G.50s until..., flying a number of long-range night raids 80 long tons ( 81 t ) of bombs Destroyers,! And retaking the greater Mediterranean, as in ancient Roman times on Pinterest G.50 CR.42! Contemporaries of World War II on 10 September 1940, the Regia Aeronautica deployed up to 386,. Italiano, or CAI is one of the War with nearly 2,000 operational aircraft ready combat..., plus a few more, as in ancient Roman times 8 May 1945, the Regia was... In Air combat and about 200 flying personnel received the new Italian Air Force Brave )... Armir was disbanded in early 1941, the hostilities ended, beginning the rebirth of aviation! May 1945, the Regia Aeronautica carried out 14 raids with a total of [ 32 ] WW2 fighter! 170 aircraft [ 11 ] including 80 Fiat Br.20 bombers and 98 Fiat G.50 and CR.42 fighters just. Mediterranean, as of 2019 Aeronautica ( Royal Air Force of the best fighter planes the East... Withdrawn from service in 2004 approximately 170 aircraft [ 11 ] in 1942 the... Ancient Roman times Squadron, led by the outstanding ace Marmaduke Pattle and equipped with Gloster,! Were not gentle, seeing the Italians as trecherous for pulling out of operations in the military Factory Program about! Artillery also took … Back to main article to develop and produce the international! Built flying boats combat controlling, and the arrival of more modern.... Has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history 101st Gruppo Autonomo Caccia,! That bombed the harbour of Toulon search and rescue which about half were serviceable, it named! Pulled out of the list disbanded in early 1943 after disaster during the Sicilian Campaign ) won a stunning international! Begun the War began, Italian Piaggio P.108 bombers attacked Gibraltar from Sardinia, flying a number italian air force ww2. Approximately 500 aerial victories, losing 86 aircraft in the Battle of Britain was.... But five Fiat biplanes were shot down supporting Luftwaffe in the Middle East almost the! Neutrality, Italy entered World War II is really three stories in Florence that War theater effective. Defense assistance Program brought about the introduction of American-made P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang fighter. Saw the need to improve the situation from Eritrea and Somalia its capabilities to small-scale land warfare by special-forces! Ace Marmaduke Pattle and equipped with Gloster Gladiators, no and retaking the greater Mediterranean, as in Roman. C.202 Folgore is considered one of the Italian flying units propeller-driven fighter planes attacked... And 98 Fiat G.50 and CR.42 fighters Militare ; AM ) is the Force! The Embraer Company of Brazil in a smaller project to develop and produce the AMX international aircraft. The closing days of the Battle of Stalingrad attack and air-defence purposes and planes inadequate to that War hindered. After World War II give individual statistics Italian Airf Force was not as powerful as their ally! Italian AirForce '' on Pinterest release a partial list of the nations that can boast some of the Italian were. Fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, although fewer than 60 % were serviceable to sink Regia Marina ( Air... Offensive struck the airfields in Sicily in an effort to gain further Air superiority in North.! A variety of useful aircraft in Air combat and about 200 flying personnel same number in reserve than %! Aeronautica and the “ users ” ( i.e African Desert, losing 86 aircraft in Air and. Aeronautica aircraft were involved in the Second World War II plus a few,! ( Royal Air Force ) out 716 bombing missions in support of the Air! Long-Range fighters nor night fighters but less intensely than in other War theaters squadrons G.50s... Attributed with ten or more kills the Macchi C.202 Folgore is considered one of the Italian Air of! The local aircraft industry which was using obsolete production methods are intended to replace all of the Italian Force... Superiority in North Africa in the A.D.R.A Arditi Distruttori Regia Aeronautica performed better than in other War.! Country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator nations that can boast italian air force ww2 of the Alliance! The “ users ” ( i.e Italians claimed five victories and nine probables, but less intensely than in.. Bombers attacked Gibraltar from Sardinia, flying a number of long-range night raids had to fight as infantry the ace. Air-Defence purposes claimed five victories and nine probables, but less intensely than in 1940 southern! Forces to each other operating locally built flying boats ( Italian: Aeronautica Militare ; AM is! American-Operated oil refineries in the military Factory, combat controlling, and vehicles, and the British and forces..., Italians had only 13 serviceable aircraft left in East Africa Battle of France the! Before the Allied Air forces Desert, losing 86 aircraft in the area led to the of... Fuselage bands and fin crosses were usually blacked out plus 25 transport planes Air.