+"Catania Sicily Italy" +1943 stock footage and images

Kingdom of Italy aircraft and crews surrender to Americans at Catania Air Base in Sicily, Italy, during World War II.

Italian aircraft and crews surrender to Americans at Catania Air Base, in Sicily, during World War 2, under terms of the Armistice of Cassibile , signed on September 3, 1943 and publicly announced on September 8th by U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on Radio Algiers. Under its terms, the Kingdom of Italy ceased hostilities against the Allies and Kingdom forces were to surrender to the Allies. An Italian SIAI-Marchetti SM79 ("Sparviero") Torpedo-Bomber is seen in flight over water, as viewed from another airplane. It carries the number 1NS-20. View of Catania Air Base, with U.S. B-25 Mitchel bomber, of the 340th Bombardment Group, landing, in background. The Italian SM79 is seen taxiing to the ramp, after landing at the Base. A Italian crew man opens the door and an officer exits using the aircraft ladder. He is followed by Giulio Cesare Graziani, torpedo bomber ace and winner of the Italian Gold Medal of Military Valor. (He is framed at 1:12.) Another officer also exits and the three shake hands with U.S. 9th Army Air Force officers on the ground. Commander of the 340th Bomb Group Lt Col Adolph "Tik" Tokaz appears in frame 1:05. The Italian officers present some documents and discuss them with the U.S. officers. The officers from both countries gather around the Italian seal, of the kingdom of Italy, on the tail of the plane and discuss it. The officers turn to watch another Italian SM79 land, taxi in, and park. Italian fliers exit this airplane and walk across the ramp to join the others, with whom they exchange salutes, and shake hands.