Lineup of first Reggiane Re.2002s "Ariete" delivered to 209th Squadriglia, 101st Gruppo Tuffatori of Regia Aeronautica perhaps at Lonate Pozzolo airport, near Milan, Spring 1943. VictorSierra

First Re.2002s

Catania, Sicily, c. July 1943. Three Australian servicemen examine a bomb crater four metres deep caused by Allied shelling and bombing of the Catania airfield. In background three Italian fighter destroyed or heavily damaged during the raids: left, a Fiat CR.42, right two Reggiane Re.2005's "Sagittario". Victor Sierra

Catania airfield

July 1943. The battle for the Allied invasion of Italy is started and the Italian Air Force throw in combat also the new Re.2002s "Ariete". In the photo the planes of  the 239th Squadriglia, 102nd Gruppo, 5th Stormo Tuffatori  (Dive-bombers Wing) of Regia Aeronautica starting off from the Tarquinia airfield, North of Rome, for ferry flight to Crotone, in Calabria, new base of Stormo, with technical stop at Capua. The first mission against the Allied ships ahead the Sicilian coast, eight Re.2002s without escort armed with 250kg and 50kg bombs under fuselage and wings, took place in the evening of July 10, 1943 over the Noto's Gulf. Three ships were striked, but the eight "Ariete" were intercepted by a dozen of  Spitfires V of RAF Squadron No. 229: downed  three Re.2002s, first the plane of 5th Stormo's commander, tenente colonnello  pilota Nobili. The Stormo, now under command of maggiore Giuseppe Cenni, sustained other losses in the late days. The 13 July, the airport of Crotone was heavily bombed by B-24 Liberators of USAAF and the majority of aircraft of many types on the ground was destroyed. The few Re.2002's survivors were transferred at Manduria, Puglia. The morning of September 4, 1943, with the Armistice between Italy and Allied already signed the 3 September, but not officially announced (September 8, 1943) and again unkown to belligerents, the last, and again tragic mission: twelve Re.2002s leaded by Cenni took off from Manduria to attack enemies ships on the Messina Straits and armoured vehicles on the ground under direct escort of Macchi 202s of 21st Gruppo Autonomo Caccia and indirect escort of Macchi 202s and 205s of 4th Stormo Caccia. But during the dive the fighters lost the contact with the "Ariete" wich, by now without escort, were intercepted and attacked by the Spitfire of RAF No 111 Squadron. The commander, Giuseppe Cenni, with other two of its pilots, was downed.