Il Ricco Bottino (The Rich Booty)

Italian Aircraft in Luftwaffe Service
AeroFan Speciale n.2
Hans Werner Neulen
©2000
80 Pages, Softbound

Reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl

During the Second World War several countries switched sides, but the most notable would have to be Italy.  When Italy formally announced their switch, Germany promptly seized as much as they could, including 4,553 aircraft (according to the Generaloberst Jodl, anyway).  This number, however, has been a source of controversy pretty much from when Jodl announced it on November 7, 1943.  This title tries to make sense of the confusion, with a well-written text and plenty of photos.  The story of Italian aircraft in Luftwaffe service is an interesting one and definitely isn't one that is covered often in the history books.  If you're interested in either the Luftwaffe or the Regia Aeronautica during World War Two, this is a book that you'll definitely want to have on your bookshelf.