During the East African Campaign the RAF’s Vickers Wellesley, when fighter escort was not available, proved vulnerable to the Italian biplane fighter FIAT CR.42. The Wellesley of this photo, K7715, KU-H, of No. 47 Squadron RAF Detachment based at Agordat, Eritrea, just occupied by the Commonwealth’s forces, was attacked and damaged by two Italian CR.42s during a bombing sortie over Keren on 25 March 1941. In the photo the KU-U’s pilot inspects the damage to his plane after the return at Agordat with the air gunner mortally wounded. Note the geodetic structure of the wing used by Vickers also for the Wellington. Victor Sierra

Wellesley damaged by CR.42s

Phased out from Great Britain based squadrons at outbreak of WW2, the single engine, two seat light bomber Vickers Armstrong Wellesley was employed only on East Africa with three RAF Squadrons involved against the Italian forces, after the Italy’s declaration of war (10 June 1940). Sudan-based Wellesley carried out their first bombing mission on 11 June 1940 against Asmara in Eritrea. Typical of this aircraft was the bombs arrangement inside two under wing pods each providing space for two 225 kg or four 110 kg bombs. One of this pods is clearly visible under the right wing of the Wellesley Mark I of the photo, the aircraft L2673, KU-C, of No. 47 Squadron RAF in flight over the rugged landscape of Eritrea. Victor Sierra

Vickers Wellesley

Spitfire Mk IX of South African Air Force’s 1 Squadron reading for take-off from a Sicilian airfield, perhaps Pachino on 1943. Note on this aircraft, Squadron code AX, aircraft individual code E, serial number MH904, insignia’s color typical of South African Air Force during WW2: orange on roundel’s central disk and of fin flash instead of red used by the Royal Air Force. After the operations in North Africa and over the Sicily for covering the British forces landing during Operation Husky and after circa 40 days at Malta, the 1 Sqn SAAF, which already had fought against the Italians in East African Campaign, on 14 July 1943 moved in Sicily, Pachino Airfield. Early September 1943, the Squadron moved on Italian mainland providing cover for the Allied landings at Salerno, 3 September 1943, and, 27 January 1944, at Anzio. During the operations around Rome claimed 16 German aircrafts. The 1 Squadron SAAF spent the rest of the war in Italy operating, frtpm some bases, as a fighter unit and also as ground attack unit operating against the German lines of communication behind the front line. In June 1945 the 1 Squadron SAAF began to convert to the Mustang. But only a Mustangs had arrived before July when the squadron's personnel returned to South Africa. Victor Sierra