Italian Stukas of 97th Gruppo returning at the base after a mission over Balkans, first months of 1941. The large dark strip over the wing of nearest aircraft is the original German cross deleted after the switch of the aircraft from Luftwaffe to Regia Aeronautica. Victor Sierra

Flying over Balkans

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

Italian Air Force’s Stuka

Italian Regia Aeronautica’s Junkers Ju-87R2 of 208th Squadriglia, 101st Gruppo Bombardamento a Tuffo (Dive Bombers Group), on an Albanian airfield, perhaps Tirana, during the operations against the Yugoslavia, April 1941. Victor Sierra