Battestelli, Pier Paolo Regia Aeronautica 1939-1942. Volume 3: Sviluppo, forza, dislocazione, operazioni

A unique collection of documents on the Regia Aeronautica from the preparations for war until the end of 1942. The three-volume series contains a detailed analysis of the development of the Regia Aeronautica (including not only the flying units, but also the personnel and structures) in the years 19391940, an analysis that illustrates the actual preparations for war. Starting in June 1940, data on line efficiency (number of aircraft available, distributed among units and under repair) is reported quarterly from June 1940 to December 1942. For individual months, available data on the line efficiency of individual units and their deployment is reported weekly. The series concludes with a complete statistical analysis of the operational activities of the Regia Aeronautica broken down by air squadron commands from June 1940 to December 1942 and with a series of lists detailing the same operational activities in relation to a series of targets. Overall, this is a unique, previously unpublished series of documents that clearly and in detail presents the history of Italian air operations during the decisive years of the war.