The damaged tail of Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark IV, FX529, of No. 450 Squadron RAAF, which was flown back to base at Cervia, Northern Italy, Spring 1945, by the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader J C Doyle, after being hit by anti-aircraft fire during a ground attack sortie over the 8th Army Front. Victor Sierra

Battle damages

An Australian fighter-bomber, the Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark IV, FX745 fuselage’s code OK-Y of No. 450 Squadron RAAF, taxiing to the runway at Cervia, on Romagna, Northern Italy, loaded with three 250-lb GP bombs for a sortie in support of the 8th Army's spring offensive in the Po Valley. The No. 450 Squadron RAAF was at Cervia Airfield from 25 February 1945 to 19 May 1945. The Kittyhawk Mk IV (P-40N) was manufactured from 1943 until 1944. Victor Sierra

Australian Kittyhawk taxiing

Sergeant of the 11th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army displays his trophy, a large Third Reich battle flag, northern Italy, 1945.  The wall behind appears to have been daubed with the slogan, "Viva il Duce".  Given the geographical realities of the British position in Egypt and North Africa for the greater part of the war, it is hardly surprising that Indian Army soldiers (notably Sikhs) played a major part in the defence of Egypt (as indeed they had in WW1), and in the Allied campaigns in North Africa and Italy.  Best regards, JR.