The 209th Squadriglia’s Ju 87 seized intact soon after son arrival in a RAF’s base in Egypt (note the Hurricane in background). The plane has already the RAF’s marking except the Italian white cross on the tail. Victor Sierra

The Squadron lost in the desert-3

The Ju 87 MM5763, crew Bartolomasi-Penzo, of Regia Aeronautica’s 209th Squadriglia soon after this emergency landing the Libyan desert already surrounded by British troops. The aircraft is intact and short-time will be transferred in flight to a British base in Egypt. In the meantime the 209th Squadriglia’s leader, capt. Romanese, was deferred at a martial court and relieved from the command. But Romanes wasn’t the only guilty… Victor Sierra

The Squadron lost in the desert-2

A FIAT 3000 Mod.30 followed by several Mod.21, seen here on maneuvers in Sicily, 1937. An Italian post-WWI vintage light tank armed with twin 6,5mm MGs (mostly Mod.21) or a 37mm cannon (mostly Mod.30). Although completely outdated by 1933, when it started being replaced by newer models, it was still in use with some units during WW2, the last ones in operational service being used against the Americans in July 1943, during the invasion of Sicily.