Italian paratroopers with German comrade near Monte Cassino, 1943/44. (Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-578-1931-08A)

Italian paratroopers

Side view of one of 16 pre-series (or Series 0) Reggiane Re.2005 “Sagittario”, from MM 092343 to MM 092358, ordered by the Regia Aeronautica late 1942 and delivered during 1943. The aircraft of this photo, with the all dark olive drab livery adopted by the Italian planes during the second phase of the conflict, is the plane military registration MM 092352 still without unit’s markings (362nd Squadriglia), surely photographed at Reggio Emilia, location of Reggiane’s factory, on 1943. The Reggiane Re.2005 “Sagittario” was the last of the Italian fighters Series 5 (the other are the Macchi MC.205V “Veltro” and the Fiat G.55 “Centauro”) all designed around the German engine Daimler-Benz DB605. Victor Sierra

“Sagittario” 

Italian light flak gun securing an airfield. Southern Italy, 1943. (Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-468-1414-34)