Air war over the Balkans, Winter 1944-1945: three-inch rocket projectiles heading for railway trucks and tankers in snowcapped landscape during an attack by Bristol Beaufighters Mk. VI of No. 19 Squadron South African Air Force on German rail traffic at Banova Jaruga, Yugoslavia, today Croatia. The No 19 Squadron SAAF, already equipped with Beaufighter, became operational in the rocket role during September 1944 with each aircraft usually armed with 8 three-inch rockets and 4 cannon. Victor Sierra

Rockets against train

Oblique aerial photograph showing buildings in the medieval castle at Banja Luka, Yugoslavia, today Bosnia-Herzegovina, burning from an attack with rocket projectiles by Bristol Beaufighter of Nos 16 and 19 Squadrons South African Air Force from August 1944 based at Biferno, Southern Italy, as part of the Balkan Air Force. According the IWM’s photo description German troops had established a stronghold in the castle, following the reduction of which the town was conquered by Partisan forces on 22 April 1945. Victor Sierra

SAAF raid over the Balkans

Members of the Falangist Frente de Juventudes youth movement bearing party standards.  The date is somewhat uncertain, but it is very likely to be at a rally preceding the 1936 Spanish general election - in which the Party did very, very badly.  The bad performance can be put down in part to a general lack of appeal among the electorate for its radical Fascist agenda, in part to the dislike of this agenda among the Spanish Right in general.  The Falange subsequently became a major vehicle for the Francoist counter-revolution, but with its Fascist teeth drawn, and under conditions of a forced, and distinctly uncomfortable, union with the reactionary Carlists.

This photograph shows one feature of Fascism that largely survived the "defascistisation" of the Falange - its adoption of outward symbols and trappings of Fascism and Naziism.  Like similar German banners in particular, these standards include the colours, versions of the medallions that featured on ancient Roman "vexilla" and, of course, eagles.  In this case, the eagle was the double-headed Habsburg eagle, recalling the glorious Spanish Habsburg past of Charles I (as king) and V (as Holy Roman Emperor), and of his son, Philip II.  Best regards, JR. 