Italian Forces

The seaplane of Pola cruiser

A reconnaissance maritime seaplane IMAM Ro.43 on the bow’s catapult of Italian Navy’s heavy cruiser Pola (Zara Class) on navigation with heavy sea. Note the red and white band over the upper wing of the plane and also over the cruiser’s bow. The photo, taken at beginning of the war, highlight also four of the eight Ansaldo 203/50 mm guns of the Pola built in the OTO shipyard at Livorno, entered service in 1932 and sunk in the battle of Cape Matapan, 29 March 1941. Victor Sierra