When Italy entered the war alongside Germany on 10th June 1940 the Regia Aeronautica was already weary from the Ethiopian campaign and her participation in the Spanish Civil War. She had at her disposition approximately 3,000 aircraft, of which only two-thirds were operational and ready for use, often with flight and armament characteristics significantly inferior to those of the opposing Allied aircraft.
Despite the courage and skills of the pilots, the difficulties were immense, and the outcome of the conflict was heavily influenced by the technological gap and the lack of resources. Italian pilots fought honourably in Africa, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, Russia, and of course, within the country. However, after two years, the war’s fate seemed sealed, and it was of little use that industry began producing competitive aircraft. After the Allied landing in Sicily, Italian units, despite the awareness of impending defeat, engaged in a last resistance effort, demonstrating a boldness that would be acknowledged even by the enemy.
With the armistice and General Badoglio’s message to the nation as the new Head of Government, most combatants found themselves in a difficult situation. Some joined partisan groups, others made the opposite choice by aligning with the Italian Social Republic, while entire aviation units, as well as individual crews, in compliance with the signature clauses, chose to converge towards airports in southern Italy to continue the fight alongside the Anglo-Americans.
The wartime activities of the Regia Aeronautica continued until 8th May 1945, ending with Germany’s unconditional surrender, and leaving thousands dead and missing. With this heavy toll in lives and units decimated by a 59-month-long war, the Regia Aeronautica became the Italian Air Force in 1946, which then faced the challenges of the post-war period and reorganisation.
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