question : Fiat CR 42 in Irak / Aerofan ?

[Rémi Baudru]

Thanks for all the informations given (also via private message)

Regards.

RB

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

In Polish monhly magazine Lotnictwo no 04/2015 I have edited a long story about "Air War over Irag in May 1941". There is one color drawing of Italian CR.42 in Iraq markings plus one photos of it.

regards
mw

[Rémi Baudru]

Bonjour,

Thanks for this information.
I am presently trying to write the story of the french groupe de chasse I/7 (in Lebanon and Syria 1939/ july 1941)
Before the start of the "war in Syria (8th june 1941). This group was involved during the last days of may 1941 in the defense of the french airfields in Syria and Lebanon.
I am trying to understand why the Frenchs who where in Syria seem to have not taken photos of the Fiat. I know photos taken of most of the german and italian planes during their stop over on Syrian airfields taken by the french. Allthough it was prohibited, the Frenchs took photos of Me 110, Ju 52, He 111, Ju 90, SM 79, SM 82 (the last one in italian markings), but no photo of the Fiat.

When I asked the men who took these photos why they did not took photos of the Fiat, They answered that they did not have the opportunity to make photos. They told me that when the Fiat made their first stop in Alep/Aleppo (coming from Rhodes, going in Irak), they arrived late in the evening and took off the next morning very early. They also said that when the surviving Fiat came back from Irak. They arrived during the day but stayed for a short time (just the time to refuel) before leaving to Rhodes. As the Fiat where on the south side of the airfield (this part of the field was used by the Germans and the Italians and forbiden for the french), it seems that it was impossible for the french to make photos.

I am trying to know if these informations about the Fiat are true (stop over during the night on the first leg of the journey and short time to refuel on the return trip).

Best regards.

RB

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

I know 2 photos of CR.42s in Iraq markings, probably done before flight or shortly afert it?

mw