Afiero, Massimiliano Ases en África

Combates aéros durante la 2a Guerra Mundial

Volume 65 of the series Imágenes de Guerra. Encouraged by Germany's rapid victory in Europe, Mussolini decided in June 1940 to declare war on France and Great Britain. Although he was aware that he was entering the conflict with an outdated air force, the Italian dictator was confident that his enemies' unfavourable military situation would enable the Regia Aeronautica to contribute effectively to the achievement of his goal: the consolidation of an empire in Africa. However, the British response was not long in coming. It was strategically essential to keep the sea lanes open in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and through the Suez Canal. The military machine was set in motion on land, sea and in the air, launching two parallel campaigns, one in East Africa and the other on the Libyan-Egyptian border, the latter being the scene of the biggest battles, which also involved the German Luftwaffe and the US Air Force. This richly illustrated book offers a vivid account of the air battles over Africa, involving hundreds of young pilots who shared the dream of flying and wanted to emulate the exploits of the famous flying aces of the First World War. Throughout the story, the reader follows the development of fighter aviation, the tactics of the pilots in thrilling aerial duels, and also learns a series of anecdotes about young flying aces such as Hans-Joachim Marseille, Mario Visintini and Clive Caldwell, to name but a few. A work that offers the reader both information and entertainment, while contributing to the enrichment of the history of aerial warfare.