Line-up of Italian JU-87Bs of 239th Squadriglia, 97th Gruppo at Lonate Pozzolo, near Varese, Northern Italy, prior the deploying on Southern Italy for the war against the Greece, Autumn 1940. Victor Sierra

Waiting for the war

Side view of the same Gruppo’s "Asso di Bastoni" ("Ace of Clubs" Group) MC.202 of the prior picture. The aircraft has again the Fascio Littorio, emblem of Fascist Party, sign of a photo taken before 25 July 1943 (Mussolinis’ fall). Victor Sierra

Asso di Bastoni

chocks at Lecce Airport, March 1941, prior of take-off for a mission against enemies targets on the Balkans. Other Stukas of same unit in background. Nicknamed “Picchiatello” by Regia Aeronautica’s pilots, the German-built Ju-87 was the sole close air support aircraft employed by Italians during the war against the Greece and the Yugoslavia. Victor Sierra