KINGDOM OF ITALY

AIR FORCE RANK FLAGS  •  1940-1946

Established as an independent service in 1923, the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force) enjoyed for a time the reputation of being most advanced air force in Europe. But Italy lacked the industrial and technological resources to maintain a first-class military air arm, and by the beginning of World War II the Regia Aeronautica was the least up-to-date of the major European air forces. Wartime operations in North Africa and the Mediterranean took a heavy toll of both men and machines, and by 1943 the Regia Aeronautica was effectively finished as a fighting force. During World War II, senior officials of the Air Ministry and general officers of the Regia Aeronautica  were entitled to display flags with stars corresponding to their rank. In all cases these flags were light blue with red stars and insignia; proportions were 2:3. There were also pennants for the commanders of wings, groups and squadrons. The general serving as Chief of Staff of the Air Force (usually in the rank of General of Air Corps)  had a special flag with the stars inside a red frame. The flag of a General of Air Division had a crown between two stars. The command pennants were often painted on the aircraft flown by commanders of wings, groups, and squadrons. Flag Proportions: All rank flags of the Regia Aeronautica had 2:3 proportions.

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