The burning wreck of a RAF Bristol Blenheim bomber shot down by Italian anti-aircraft fire over Massawa, Eritrea, during the first phases of East African Campaign, Summer 1940. Victor Sierra

Blenheim shot down

An 8 Sqn RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk1 damaged by an Italian air raid launched from Italian East Africa againts the British base of Khormaksar, Aden, June 1940. Victor Sierra

Blenheim damaged

Phased out from Great Britain based squadrons at outbreak of WW2, the single engine, two seat light bomber Vickers Armstrong Wellesley was employed only on East Africa with three RAF Squadrons involved against the Italian forces, after the Italy’s declaration of war (10 June 1940). Sudan-based Wellesley carried out their first bombing mission on 11 June 1940 against Asmara in Eritrea. Typical of this aircraft was the bombs arrangement inside two under wing pods each providing space for two 225 kg or four 110 kg bombs. One of this pods is clearly visible under the right wing of the Wellesley Mark I of the photo, the aircraft L2673, KU-C, of No. 47 Squadron RAF in flight over the rugged landscape of Eritrea. Victor Sierra