Customer Reviews

Italian Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 34)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

That anything publishable would come out on this subject is a wonder. In this case, it took a supreme level of dedication by the authors to produce this volume. Many other reviewers have given it 5 stars, so I'll avoid repeating them.

The main virtue to me is the meticulous search for historical truth. Not easy, when facing incomplete official records that also were subject to shifts in method. The authors chose to go after ORIGINAL sources. While this limits their being complete (a bit much to expect in any ace study), what you do get has withstood their rigorous methodology: Brief ace profiles; an overview of Italian fighter operations; fresh photo illustrations; high quality a/c profiles -- that you can trust.

There isn't much in English on Italian air ops, nor aces. So this entry not only breaks new ground for English-speakers, it is as authoritative as the best of any in the Osprey series.

A fascinating review of an often overlooked subject that is long overdue. I knew the Italian Air Force fought with bravery and tenacity during the war, but had no idea they had produced over 50 pilots who scored five or more victories! Not only do the authors, Giorgio Apostolo and Giovanni Massimello, give the reader an overview of the war, but also organization of the air force by wings (Stormos). A Stormo analysis consists of breakdowns by Gruppos (Groups) and Squadriglie (Squadrons). Also a Squadriglie by Squadriglie review of types flown, the Fiat G.50 and G.55, also the Fiat G.32 and G.42 series, the last biplanes flown in the war! And fighter types produced by Macchi and Reggiane. Tragically, we learn of the executions of pilots who flew "up north" for the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, or ANR, by their fellow Italian citizens as reprisals after the war had ended because they had sided with Mussolini. The color profiles are superb, as we have come to expect from this series, 40 different fighters flown by the aces. My only complaint is the lack of color profiles concerning pilot uniforms and flying garb, but judging by the photos,(many never before seen), the Italian pilots wore whatever was comfortable for the theater of operations at the time. In closing, a "must have" for any modeller or historian!

Excellent addition to an excellent series. The Italian participation in air operations in WWII is all too often omitted or misrepresented. Italian records, especially about WWII aces, are extremely rare and incomplete, therefore comprehensive publications like this one are precious. The text provides a good and balanced overview of a very complex story; maybe more could have been said about the different theaters where the Regia Aereonautica fought and about specific combat experience. Nevertheless, the photos and drawings are very good. It will remain as a reference text.

Once again Osprey has ably filled in the history of the top Italian pilots that flew for the Axis (AND THE ALLIES) during World War II. Since many of the detailed records of the top Italian aces were destroyed or lost when the Italians joined the Allies in 1943, this book uses great personal interviews with the surviving members of the Italian Air Force to craft an accurate assessment of the top pilots and their aircraft. The pictures gathered from the personal collections of the pilots are unique and great source of reference for modellers. Also the artwork of the aircraft is as usual stunning.

I give this book 5 stars mainly because it addresses a subject rarely considered in English--Italy's military performance in WWII. It was a good, if sketchy, introduction to a fascinating and neglected part of the war. For every 1,000 books on the Wehrmacht there is one on the Italian armed forces. Yet Italian forces, poorly equipped, wretchedly led, with little motivation and without rational strategic leadership, fought well to the bitter end...though you would not know it from the vast bulk of literature on WWII. So I pay tribute to the authors, though I still wish for a real history of the Regia Aeronautica in the war, not just a skimpy recitation of its aces.

Feeling a definite win in the west, Benito Mussolini felt that joining the war with Germany he could take credit and the spoils in the victory over England. That would prove to be a very fatal choice, for in the years to come Italy would be subjected to harsh fighting, heavy bombings from USAAF bombers, and a divided country for the Axis or Allies when the Americans stormed Sicily, then Italy itself.

Not using very good aircraft--namely the CR.42, Mc.200 and G.50--the Italians lost heavily against the Allies in Africa and the European theatre. The book explains about pilots who fought in CR.42s in the African front with the Germans and their Bf-109s, to the Mc.202/-205 and G.55 in the defense of Italy. I liked how the authors set the book up, explaining about the background to war, the theatres the pilots fought in, the air groups, then the aces. I found this a joy to read--all 85 pages. In appendices the authors give you a full list (or almost) of Italian aces. I am keeping this book secure in my library of 30 and counting Osprey books.

This book is a wrong book for regia aeronautica. I don't like that authors have had the very common idea of write another time with excesive criticism about techical level of italian airplane and logistic organization of regia aeronautica. This is a worst manner of paint our country.