Aided by a ground crew man holding the seat belts, an Italian fighter pilot boarding on its Fiat G.50. The dress of pilot and of ground crew man indicate a cold climate, perhaps that Italian fighter pilot boarding of Balkans in autumn or winter. Well-rendered the fascist emblem (Fascio Littorio) under the cockpit. Victor Sierra

Italian pilot boarding

Born in Madrid in 1920, and dead in Rome in 2010. Filippani Ronconi came from an aristocratic family. During the civil war in Spain his family was persecuted by the Republicans and his mother menaced to be shot. Soon back in Italy, he studied eastern religions, traditions and languages. During the war enlisted as volounteer in Granatieri di Sardegna, and was wounded 2 times in north Africa. After the Italian armistice, continued the fight in the SS Italien. At the end of the war he surrendered to Indian troops, surprised to meet a man, Italian, who spoke perfectly their language. After the war he bacame academic professor in the famous Istituto Orientale of Naples, teaching history of religions, eastern languages, and anthropology.

Prof. Pio Filippani Ronconi

The olive trees camouflage this Savoia-Marchetti S.79 of 194th Squadriglia, 90th Gruppo, 30th Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre of Italian Regia Aeronautica at Sciacca Airport, Sicily, Summer 1940. The first war mission of 194th Squadriglia dating to June 13, 1940 when, together the 195th Squadriglia of same 90th Gruppo and the 193th Squadriglia og 87th Gruppo (the other Gruppo of 30th Stormo) raided the airport of Tunis-El-Aouina. Victor Sierra