Bf 110Gs of the Luftwaffe’s Zerstörergeschwader 1 (ZG 1) “Wespengeschwader” sabotaged by the same personnel and abandoned at Montecorvino airfield before the retreat towards North of the German forces after the Allied’s advance and the Salerno’s landing, September 1943. In foreground some Regia Aeronautica’s fuel drums themselves sabotaged by the Italians likely pick pummeled. Victor Sierra

Derelict “Wespengeschwader”

Line-up of Messerschmitt Bf 110G-1s at a Southern Italy’s airfield, perhaps Montecorvino, near Salerno, Summer 1943. The aircraft are of the Luftwaffe’s Zerstörergeschwader 1 (ZG 1), the well-known “Wespengeschwader”, fuselage code Code S9+, unit of the II. Fliegerkorps, Luftflotte II In mid-1943 the I and II Gruppen of the ZG 1 arrived in Italy from Eastern Front bringing to the III./ZG 1. Before Montecorvino the unit was deployed in Siciliy, at Trapani, and afterwards at Pomigliano, near Naples. Notice the undercarriage’s wheels covered with straw’s sheaf so as to protect the tires from the Sun’s heath and also the under wing auxiliary fuel tanks. Victor Sierra

“Wespengeschwader” in Southern Italy

Montecorvino, after the its conquest by the Allies: a RAF officer inspect a destroyed and abandoned in the middle to clunkers Messerschmitt Bf.110G of the Luftwaffe’s ZG1 “Wespengeschwader”. On the left the skeleton of an Italian Caproni Ca.310 likely burned just before the abandon of the airfield in front to the Allies advance. In background the just arrived Spitfires of the No 111 Squadron Royal Air Force deployed at Montecorvino on September 1943. So this photo was taken at this date. Victor Sierra