Italian contribution to the Battle of Britain

[Maxrobot1]

If they made a movie, would it be a comedy? Many books and articles on the Battle of Britain ignore the Italian effort.

 

[Airframes]

The first (unsuccessful) operation by the Corpo Aero Italiano took place at night, on 24th October, with the first daylight raid on 29th October. Although fighter and bomber sweeps continued into late November, participation in the Battle of Britain could possibly be regarded as dubious, as, officially, the battle ended on 31st October.

 

[pbehn]

If they made a movie, would it be a comedy? mnay books and articles on the Battle of Britain ignore the Italian effort.

Do they? Most that I have read have mentioned it, unless it is just a brief account. If you cover it in detail there isnt much to cover. They didnt start to arrive until September an the first raids were in October, historically the battle ended at the end of October but the outcome was settled by end September. Damaged caused by Italian raids to the RAF and British infrastructure probably ranks lowest of all possible causes in 1940, including accidents, friendly fire, weather RAF planes dropping on buildings etc. Even this article on the subject struggles to find anything to say, it does mention the British raid on Taranto taking place in the period, which adds a touch of comedy. Il Duce's Blitz — Italy's Forgotten Role in the Battle of Britain - MilitaryHistoryNow.com

 

[MikeMeech]

If they made a movie, would it be a comedy? mnay books and articles on the Battle of Britain ignore the Italian effort.

Hi
As has been mentioned the BoB was Officially over on the 31st October so the IAF had only made three relatively small raids by the end of it, 24th, 27th and 29th October, the last raid being on 2nd January, 1941. That said various standard BoB books do mention the Italian involvement, including:
'Battle Over Britain' by Francis K. Mason.
'The Narrow Margin' by Wood and Dempster.
'The Battle of Britain, The Jubilee History' by Hough and Richards.
For detail of Italian operations there is 'Regia Aeronautica, The Italian Air Force 1923-1945 - An Operational History' by Chris Dunning. 'Chapter Ten - The Channel Front 1940-1941', has some good info and images.

Mike

 

[pbehn]

The account I posted details 6 soldiers being killed in one raid, this must be weighed against things like circa 23 people per day being killed in road traffic accidents on average each day in 1940. Compared to losses at Dunkerque and elsewhere, losses to the IAF just dont register.

 

[Antarctica]

Well, some Italian aircrew were very professional. During the Axis attacks on the convoys from UK, Iceland to Murmansk in Russia, the German torpedo bombers chickened out by dropping their fish at maximum distance to avoid the fire from the flak trawlers. Italian pilots flew between the ships to drop their torpedoes - usually just a few feet above the water to be below the ship's gun depression.

 

[pbehn]

Well, some Italian aircrew were very professional. During the Axis attacks on the convoys from UK, Iceland to Murmansk in Russia, the German torpedo bombers chickened out by dropping their fish at maximum distance to avoid the fire from the flak trawlers. Italian pilots flew between the ships to drop their torpedoes - usually just a few feet above the water to be below the ship's gun depression.

But that wasnt the question in the OP, no one has questioned the professionalism of the IAF pilots.

 

[Capt. Vick]

I have heard the canoli they brought was great for moral

 

[weinace]

Well, some Italian aircrew were very professional. During the Axis attacks on the convoys from UK, Iceland to Murmansk in Russia, the German torpedo bombers chickened out by dropping their fish at maximum distance to avoid the fire from the flak trawlers. Italian pilots flew between the ships to drop their torpedoes - usually just a few feet above the water to be below the ship's gun depression.

Stanford Tuck mentioned them, and wrote in 'dog fights' their aerobatics were impressive .

 

[yulzari]

I have heard the canoli they brought was great for moral

for moral what?

 

[Capt. Vick]

Oh damn...did I spell it wrong? What a dolt. Sadly, that happens a lot with me. Never good a spelling or phonics.

 

[GTX]

Relevant to this topic:

Fiat C.R. 42 Falco (Falcon) Construction No. 920 - The Fighter Collection

fighter-collection.com

 

[Airframes]

Here it is at Duxford in 2018, just rolled out on static display.

 

[Snautzer01]

Geourgeous airplane. Do they run the engine?

 

[Snautzer01]

for moral what?

Got your 6 Vick.

 

[Snautzer01]

Oh damn...did I spell it wrong? What a dolt. Sadly, that happens a lot with me. Never good a spelling or phonics.

If i had 10 cents for every time i miss spelled , i could have called Bill Gates a pauper.

 

[Airframes]

Not sure of the current status of the FIAT, due to the delays caused by the Covid pandemic.
It's been fully restored, and due to fly, AFAIK.

 

[Snautzer01]

Not sure of the current status of the FIAT, due to the delays caused by the Covid pandemic.
It's been fully restored, and due to fly, AFAIK.

now you are not kiddin now are you? Dont know what it is but dar goomnet it a pretty one. I would have settled for a start up.

 

[PAT303]

That is a stylish aircraft.

 

[SaparotRob]

View attachment 724530
That is a stylish aircraft.

This v. A6M2 in a dogfight. Close fight or another pointless matchup?