Italian Forces

Breda 44

In the photo “Conference at Podgorica” posted by JR appear in background a twin engine biplane. Is it the Breda 44, a civil transport plane for eight passengers, Italian version of well know British made de Havilland Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, built initially for Società Aerea Mediterranea afterward absorbed by State airline Ala Littoria. Beyond the prototype (I-AERE) transferred in Lybia, Breda produced four airplanes all employed by Ala Littoria in the Albanian internal lines. In June 1940, after the declaration of war of Italy, the Ba.44s were commandeered by military authorities and embedded in 611th Squadriglia Trasporto, under dependency of Comando Aeronautica Albania (Aeronautical Command of Albania) based at Tirana, with military codes and camouflage. At the four Series airplanes was added the prototype re-registered I-ORSA. The Breda 44 was employed for light military transports and liaisons in Albania and Yugoslavia. One aircraft was destroyed in a fatal accident, two others were destroyed by “friendly fire”, attacked by a CR.42 and by AA fire, but without casualties. Victor Sierra