From: Ed Rasimus

Guess you have to read "Farewell to Arms" and then see "Patton."

That would help, but the consternation sets in when noting that Italy fought on
both sides in WW2, declaring war on Germany on Oct. 13, 1943, iirc.
That was confusing even then. As, for example, Macchis, enemy fighters, now
became friendly fighters.
At Elmo field, a co-occupant of the airdrome, along with allied fighter units,
was the famous Italian Air Force “Black Cat” squadron of the 155th
Autonomous Fighter Group. They were touted to be on par with the German
“Yellow-Nose” squadron. The rumor was that only fighter aces could fly with
them. Since their Macchi 202s, 205s, and Reggiane 2001s could fly inverted,
the Italians would buzz the field in a tight formation with half of the planes
inverted, thumbing their noses as the P-38 pilots also stationed on the field,
because the P-38 could not fly inverted.
It was quite an uncomfortable feeling for B-25 and B-25 pilots to see Macchis
come zooming in on them and then instead of attacking, take up escort
positions, ready to defend them from their erstwhile allies in Messerschmitts.





Chris Mark