The italian royal air force regia aeronautica italiana was the name of the air force of the. Both countries had their own air force fitted with formerly used italian. The italian royal air force regia aeronautica italiana was the name of the air force of the kingdom of italy. After a period of neutrality, italy entered world war ii on 10 june 1940 alongside. The free french air force in 19401945 during ww2 about 150 french fighter pilots became aces at least 5 air victories. After world war ii, when italy was made a republic by referendum, the regia aeronautica was given its current name.
In 1946, the monarchy was abolished and the kingdom of italy became the italian republic, whereupon the name of the air force changed to aeronautica militare italiana. Reproduction ww ii italian collectibles for sale ebay. Its for the modeler, author, serious historian, or world war ii buff looking to learn about the. Regia marina included battleships and cruisers that were almost same level as the correspondent rn units at the beginning of wwii before the introduction of highly effective radars that transformed naval warfare.
An italian wwii pilot badge for north african tank busters. Dayton, ohio the royal italian air force portion of the wwii. 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. Jan 08, 2010 on 28 march 1923, the italian air force was founded as an independent service arm by king vittorio emanuele iii of the kingdom of italy regno ditalia. She fought from the icy steppes of russia to the desert sands of north africa, losing men and machines. Wwii royal italian air force national museum of the. These distinguished insignia badges for war actions were issued in three grades, gold, silver and bronze. Air force in italy during world war ii summary photographs show aircraft in flight and on the ground, airfield construction, informal groups of officers and men, religious services, cemetery, hospital at christmas. The french air force ended ww2 with more than 2,700 kias and 1,500 mias. Im british so ive heard a lot of stories about how awesome the british raf were. His instructions on the outbreak of war were to hit any british airfields or ports within striking distance. Military history of italy during world war ii wikipedia. List of regia aeronautica aircraft used in world war ii.
Photographs show aircraft in flight and on the ground, airfield construction, informal. This volume assesses the formidable special forces fielded by italys navy and air force in world war ii, both. The 15th air force was flying missions out of foggia. The fighters were scattered all around east africa. A service dress tunic to brigadier general of air forces pomarici. The cai supported the german air force and flew against the british royal air force raf. Us military bases in italy 7 us bases military bases. The territory occupied and acquired by italy after the start of the war is not included.
Jun 10, 2016 the italian soldiers are often blamed for their performance in world war 2, but usually nobody takes a close look at the state of the italian armed forces in world war 2. A list of aircraft used by italy during world war ii until its capitulation to the allies in september 1943. The fifteenth air force 15th af was established on november 1, 1943 in tunis, tunisia as part of the united states army air forces in the world war ii mediterranean theater of operations as a strategic air force and commenced combat operations the day after. This was followed shortly by the first aerial bombing in history on november 1st the same year. The airfields were used by the united states army air force fifteenth air force as part of the strategic bombardment campaign against nazi germany in 1944 and 1945, as well as the twelfth air force, the royal air force and the south. Fifteenth air forcestrategic bombing from italy national. To provide direct air recon capabilities to the army and navy, two separate commands air force for the army and air force for the navy were established, to act as a gobetween the owner of the airplanes and crews i. Ninth air force b24 liberator crews, based in egypt, bomb naplesthe first american attacks in italy. The aviano air base italy is located near the large town of perdenone approximately 50 miles north of venice, italy. There are period photos of the everyday life, and adventures of pilots and personnel on a variety of war fronts and campaigns. This record contains unverified, old data from shelflist card, with subsequent revisions. However ive also heard a lot of good things about the luftwaffes skills as pilots, i also was told by my granddad that, when they werent killing their own pilots, the japanese were really good too.
The army air corps to world war ii air force historical. Air force photo photo details download hires 2 of 6. Luftwaffe airfields 193545 italy, sicily and sardinia. The authors have assembled over 600 images from private photo albums and individual groupings offering a unique perspective on the royal italian air force regia aeronautica from 19231945. Italian air force regia aeronautica on 24 january 1923 the italian royal air force regia aeronautica was formed as an independent arm, separate from the air services of the army and navy and in 1925 the establishment of an air ministry put the new service on a secure footing.
The regia aeronautica could deploy more than 3,000 aircraft. Italian army artillery officer service hat wwii replica. Italian air force in world war ii second part youtube. Generale pietro pinna was the air commander in east africa. The usaaf could now mount major strategic raids in southern and eastern europe, creating even more pressure on. The italian air force 19231945 an operational history 9781906537029. Italian orders of battle in africa and at the eastern front, italian armed forces 1942 strength and organization of the italian army and air force regia aeronautica in 1942. The aircraft was produced by the turin firm, and entered service, in smaller numbers, with the air forces of belgium, sweden and hungary. The italian air force gets a bad rap in ww2 but this book shows the many aircraft and aces that fought with the germans as allies. This article takes a look at the italian army, navy, air force and industry in 1939 and especially 1940.
In 1946, the monarchy was abolished and the kingdom of italy became the italian republic, whereupon the name of the air force changed to aeronautica militare. The fifteenths primary mission was to bomb targets in the balkans, italy and especially germany. The national atlantic treaty organization nato has made it possible for the aviano air force base to be established under the united states air force commission. After a period of neutrality, italy entered the world war ii on june 10 of 1940 on the side of germany. Its a tricky question as it changes almost year by year from the late 1930s to 1945. Italian air force order of battle aeronautica militare air crew are altogether 95 between commands, departments and agencies with an organic strength of about 21,000 units. The following is a list of military aircraft currently used by all branches of the italian armed forces, including the italian gendarmerie carabinieri. This is a category of airfields used by the united states army air forces during world war ii located in italy.
See all on africa air force italy american history tv. In the 30s the italian air force was one of the most powerful air forces of the world, that fielded high quality planes that scored many world records some of them are still unbeated and was able to deploy in far theaters like ethiopia and spai. In 1940 the italian air force was divided into four territorial air zones which covered metropolitan italy and five overseas commands. Activated as 9th air force on 8 april 1942, the command fought in world war ii both in the western desert campaign in egypt and libya and as the tactical fighter component of the united states strategic air forces in europe usstaf, engaging enemy forces.
Italian armed forces 1942 strength and organization of the italian army and air force regia aeronautica in 1942. The first army air force bomber mission over western europe in world war ii is flown by b 17s of the 97th bombardment group against the rouensotteville railyards in france. Italian air force order of battle aeronautica militare. With more than 1,800 built, it was the most widely produced italian aircraft to take part in world war ii.
The corpo aereo italiano literally, italian air corps, or cai, was an expeditionary force from the italian regia aeronautica aviation organization that participated in the battle of britain and the blitz during the final months of 1940 during world war ii. Yes indeed, the italians had one of the most advanced aircraft technology of that time 1930s, that being said, the pilots were badly trained, and t. In world war 2, which country had the best airforce. Thunderbolt 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.
Fans of special operations and irregular warfare will love this one. Tactical operations of the eighth air force, 6 june 19448 may 1945. May 17, 2018 in september 1943, the usaaf formed the fifteenth air force, uniting its mediterranean heavy bomber forces together at bases in southern italy. Ww2 aircraft, military aircraft, italian air force, italian army, the spitfires, air photo, vintage airplanes, war machine, belle photo. Mar 14, 2020 the largest formation in the air force was the air fleet which consisted of two or more homogeneous fighter or bomber air divisions.
After a period of neutrality, italy entered world war ii on 10 june 1940 alongside germany. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order 1toz. As commanderinchief of all italian armed forces, vittorio emanuele also commanded the royal air force regia aeronautica. Royal air force combat reports 19391945 the national archives.
The fifteenth was deactivated in italy 15 september 1945. But the city was also the newly designated headquarters of the american fifteenth air force, which had been activated in november of that year. Due to the recent surge of arrivals, the post office has had full shelves and an abundance of packages awaiting pickup. When world war ii began in 1939, italy had a paper strength of 3,296 machines. Airfields of the united states army air forces in italy.
Italian world war 2 aircraft italy aircraft listing. The heavy losses incurred by the british offensive in januaryfebruary 1941 entailed a fullscale reinforcement of the italian air force in north africa. All military aircraft in italy during ww2 were part of the air force and with air force crews. See more ideas about italy, wwii and historic aerials. It was established as a service independent of the royal italian army from 1923 until 1946. Air force aircraft, ww2 aircraft, military helicopter, military aircraft, italian empire, plane drawing, airplane painting, italian air force, camouflage the piaggio p. The italian air force 19401943, by chris dunning, covers the regia aeronautica the italian air force, or ra from when italy declared war in june 1940 to its surrender to the allies in september 1943. A second war royal italian air force armourer qualification badge. Italian air force in world war ii first part youtube.
Spanish air force pilot wings early post franco spain vintage original. The most powerful striking force of the italian air force in east africa was, of course, the three main bomber groups. Get the best deals on reproduction ww ii italian collectibles when you shop the largest online selection at. During the interwar years the italian air force was held in high regard. There are 7 us military bases in italy according to our database which is being updated all the time. The aviano air base italy is located near the large town of perdenone. Italian pilots fought on to the bitter end until the last aircraft was shot down on 24 october 1941. Italian forces and industry in early world war 2 19391940. The nominal commanderinchief of the italian royal army was his majesty king vittorio emanuele iii.
Ww2 italian air force order of battle on june 10th, 1940. What was italys biggest asset in world war 2, the air. During the turn of the nineteenth century, italy was at the forefront of aerial warfare after having first used aircraft in a combat reconnaissance role on october 23rd 1911. As a professional researcher and world war ii historian, bill beigel provides research services to genealogists, historians, authors, and civilians who are looking for information found in ww2 military unit records.
There are a total of 58 ww2 italian aircraft 19391945 entries in the military factory. As commanderinchief of all italian armed forces, vittorio emanuele also commanded the royal air force regia aeronautica and the royal navy regia marina. Get the best deals on original ww ii italian collectibles when you shop the largest online selection at. For the purpose of this reference work, italy, sicily and sardinia generally means mainland italy and the two islands at the beginning of world war ii, and does not include italian acquisitions and annexations in africa, the balkans and elsewhere. A b24 pilots missions from italy during world war ii. Air force airman 1st class daniel young, 31st force support squadron postal clerk, transfers a package from sorting to the shelf at the aviano post office, aviano air base, italy, march 25, 2020. Italian reverses in italian east africa iea, greece, and egypt compelled adolf hitler to. These records are royal air force combat reports written during the second world war. How effective was the italian air force during wwii.
After that italy was divided in two states, the axis italian social republic in the north and the allied italian kingdom in the south. All the units are probably not listed in the following tables and there might be small. List of active italian military aircraft wikipedia. Mainly operating out of bases in southern italy, the fifteenth air force, along with the eighth air force and raf bomber command, became the instruments used by the allies to carry the strategic air offensive to axis occupied europe and germany. The extraordinary story of the italian air force in the battle of. After world war ii, when italy was made a republic by referendum, the regia aeronautica.
The italian soldiers are often blamed for their performance in world war 2, but usually nobody takes a close look at the state of the italian armed forces in world war 2. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Germanys military air arms during world war i, the luftstreitkrafte of the imperial army and the marinefliegerabteilung of the imperial navy had been disbanded in may 1920 as a result of the terms of the treaty of versailles which stated that germany was forbidden to. They were awarded for merit and experience in an individual specialty. Not only in aircraft designs and what was put into production in sufficient numbers but having both the aviation gasoline to train pilots sufficiently before co. The national world war ii museum in new orleans hosts a symposium on the 1943 battle of kasserine pass, when the u. On 28 march 1923, the italian air force was founded as an. In september 1943, the usaaf formed the fifteenth air force, uniting its mediterranean heavy bomber forces together at bases in southern italy.
The early operations of the eighth air force and the origins of the combined bomber offensive, 17 august 1942 to 10 june 1943. The many front that this nation fought on are well documented. Air force 12th air force air forces southern photo archive photo details download hires 2 of 3 p47d thunderbolts from the 346th fighter squadron, 350th fighter group, 12th air force, were stationed at pisa airfield, italy, from dec. Italian aces of world war 2 osprey aircraft of the aces. Wwii world war two ww2 podcast audio radio veteran veterans memories interviews new zealand. Wwii royal italian air force national museum of the united states. Nov 20, 2019 the sides were fairly evenly matched, but the italian air force was worn down in a battle of attrition. Zealanders italy war german army air force navy campaign nazi fascist allies battle cassino. A second war royal italian air force fascist era electromechanic qualification badge price. Well they would have been a capable ally to germany. A royal italian air force torpedo aircraft high performance. The air warfare of world war ii was a major component in all theaters and, together with antiaircraft warfare, consumed a large fraction of the industrial output of the major powers.
By the end of world war ii, the airmen of 12th air force had flown 21 different types of aircraft and developed close air support airground coordination team. Before describing what this book is, let me first say what it is not. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. Air force was part of the army during world war ii, and was also called the army air forces or the air corps. This is based on information gleaned while researching ww ii aircraft for clash of arms fighting wings series of games, over the reich, achtung. This page lists the organization of various minor power air forces during world war ii. Luftwaffe and allied air forces discussion forum the national exprisoners of war association naval nordic aviation during ww2. The foggia airfield complex was a series of world war ii military airfields located within a 40 km 25 mi radius of foggia, in the province of foggia, italy. A flight suit to a major of the cobelligerant air force. These first came into use, in very limited quantities, in 1923 and continued to slightly change with new duty categories and air specialities being introduced as the royal aereonautica evolved from 19231946 with the last changes in 1952. Wwii royal italian air force navigators wings price. Airmen in a world at war exhibit in the world war ii gallery at the national museum of the u. Volunteers are transcribing servicemen names and their awards from general orders that we are publishing on this website for enthusiasts, families and researchers of genealogy and world war ii history. The reader gets to see the italian air force in action.
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