The Albania was the most important base for the Italian attack against the Greece on Autumn 1940. In the photo ad unit of Alpini, the famous Italian mountain troops, just landed on Albanian airport, perhaps Tirana, after the transfer from Italy. The plane is a three engine transport aircraft Savoia-Marchetti S.73 with the engines still running to go back immediately in Italy. Victor Sierra

Just landed

Two Italians bombers Cant-Z-1007bis “Alcione” of 210th Squadriglia, 50th Gruppo, 16th Stormo photographed by another aircraft of same type in mission over Agean Sea, Spring 1941. The most important victim of 50th Gruppo’s aircraft was the British destroyer HMS Juno bombed and sunk about 30 nautical miles south-east off Crete in position 34º35'N, 26º34'E on 21 May 1941 by five Cant-Z-1007bis. The Juno, deployed on Aegean Sea with other warships to intercept the invasion craft on passage to Crete to carry out landings, was hit by three bombs which split ship in two abaft the bridge structure sinking her in less than two minute. 116 of ship’s company lost their live. 96 survivors were rescued, by three Royal Navy’s warship, but five of those later died. Victor Sierra

Over the Aegean Sea

At the end unsuccessful campaign against the Greece, the Italy, long time present in Aegean Islands, on April 1941 occupied the Ionian Islands with a briefly operation accomplished at beginning with a small lot of airborne forces. The start of operation was the takeoff from Brindisi, the morning of April 28, 1941, of five float planes Cant-Z.506B of 86th Gruppo which landed at Corfu under the protection of fighters and fighter bombers. In the afternoon at Corfu landed other four Cant-Z-506B with a small force of Regia Aeronautica’s personnel and Carabinieri, in total about 100 men. Two days later landed on Corfu an infantry’s regiment and the conquest of Corfu was completed. In the photo some Italian soldiers and high ranks officers after the Island’s capitulation. Note in background two of the mission’s Cant-Z-506Bs. On April 30, 1941, also with an air landing, was occupied Cephalonia. Victor Sierra