Italian Forces

After the armistice

Aftermath of Italian armistice of September 8, 1943. Officers of Regia Aeronautica with the yesterday's enemies, British officers, on an airport of Southern Italy handed over by Allied Forces. Thde officer are standing in front of a Macchi MC.202 "Folgore". The white circle below the cockpit of aircraft is the fascist symbol (Fascio Littorio) obliterated after the "coup d'état" of July 25,1943 (resignation and arrest of Mussolini). After September 21, 1943, the marking of Regia Aeronautica (Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force from October 1943, declaration of war to Germany by Regno d'Italia October 13, 1943) was the roundel tricolour (red, white, green) over fuselage and wing, same marking of today's Aeronautica Militare. Note in the photos, in background other MC.202s and a SM.82. VS