The 53° Stormo was a unit that was formed in 1936 during the big military build-up of Italy's Mussolini prior to WWII. Initially equipped with CR.32 fighters, they performed in many air displays that thrilled crowds across the country.

Just prior to WWII, they switched to the CR.42 and it is with this aircraft that the unit went to war. First against the French and later against British aircraft. The unit was rather far flung having squadrons fighting in both the Balkans and Greece as well as in North Africa where the main opponent was the British and the Hawker Hurricane.

Later the various squadrons reequipped with monoplane fighters; the Macchi C.200 for the most part with some units flying the Fiat G.50.Towards the end of the conflict, many had converted to the Macchi C.202 and the Bf-109G. Just prior to the armistice, the G.55 was being recieved, though not taken into combat.

In this book on the 53° Stormo, author Marco Mattioli covers the history of the unit from its inception until the end of the war. This includes not only log entries, but stories from the pilots themselves. All of this is further enhanced by some excellent period photos of planes and pilots, some of them in full color. As with all of Osprey's Aviation Elite books, there are a goodly number of color profiles showing many of the planes the unit flew. It is all capped by appendicies that list squadron commanders, Gold Medal awardees and a list of aces.

Aviation Elite Units # 38 is one of the best around and a book I can recommend to you without reservation.

January 2011

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