A group of Italian strategic bombers P.108B of 274ª Squadriglia Bombardamento a Grande Raggio ready for a night long-range mission. The first mission of this large plane, only four engines strategic bomber of Axis forces (the German FW-200 was a maritime patrol aircraft), was against Gibraltar on 28 June 1942 with five aircrafts. Because engine troubles and enemy’s reaction, the results were disappointing. One aircraft was forced to return to Decimomannu due to engine trouble while the other four bombed the target with 66 bombs 100 kg (220 lb) and six bombs 250 kg. But three P.108s, short of fuel, were forced to land in Spain, two of which  crashed or suffered some damage in forced landings. A third plane landed in Majorca and was quickly refueled and took off for Italy. The damages inflicted to Gibraltar were very small. Several other missions were launched until October, which resulted in some damage and further losses. Victor Sierra

Waiting for a night mission

A four engine strategic bomber Piaggio P.108B of Italian Regia Aeronautica’s 274th Squadriglia Bombardamento Grande Raggio (Long Range Bombardment Squadron) in night training at Guidonia Airfield, near Rome, waiting for transfer to Decimomannu, in Sardinia, for the first war mission on Gibraltar of 28 June 1942. Victor Sierra 

Italian strategic bomber

An Italian Regia Aeronautica’s Piaggio P.108B warming up the engines for a night take off. At the time of Operation Torch, Allied landing in French North Africa, end 1942, the 274th Squadriglia had only eight P.108s and with them performed only 28 sorties over Algeria in eight night missions, during a whole month. Three were shot down by night fighters, which on only one occasion were repelled by the wing turrets. Two P.108s were shot down by 153 Sqn Beaufighters in the attack over Algeria's port and the last of these missions was flown on 20 January 1943. Some ships were damaged by P.108s in some raids. The final action of P.108Bs took place over the Allied operations againts Sicily, July 1943. The 274th Squadriglia reinforced up to the basic force of eight machine flew 12 sorties against the invasion force between 11 and 22 July. Losses included two P.108s destroyed and two others badly damaged by Allied night fighters, and only one ship was hit. Victor Sierra