Culture, exhibitions, and art / May 15, 2026 · Trento
On Friday 15 May at 6 pm, the Museo dell 'Aeronautica Gianni Caproni in Trento will host the presentation of Jonathan Pieri's book "Mussolini's aviation. Politica del personal e fascismo nella Regia Aeronautica, 1923-1940" (Viella, 2026). The author will dialogue with Lorenzo Gardumi.
Why did the Italian Air Force arrive unprepared for the Second World War? Was it just a matter of engines and resources, or was there more? On Friday 15 May at 6.00 pm, the Gianni Caproni Aeronautics Museum in Trento invites the public to the presentation of the book: "Mussolini's aviation. Politica del personal e fascismo nella Regia Aeronautica, 1923-1940"(Viella, 2026) by Jonathan Pieri.
If Italy's industrial and strategic inadequacy in the 1940-1943 conflict is a historically acquired fact, Pieri's volume shifts attention to an often overlooked element: human capital. Through a rigorous analysis, the author investigates the cultural and technical preparation of pilots and airmen, revealing how personnel policies and internal dynamics of the "Blue Weapon" have influenced the outcome of air warfare.
The essay explores the complex relationship between the Regia Aeronautica and the fascist regime, analyzing how career management and training processes have given rise to an uneven military tool and, ultimately, inadequate to the challenges of modern warfare.
The meeting will see the author Jonathan Pieri (Historical Institute of Resistance and the Contemporary Age of Lucca) converse with Lorenzo Gardumi (Fondazione Museo storico del Trentino).
An invaluable opportunity for history enthusiasts, industry experts and citizens to delve into a crucial and controversial page of our aeronautical past.
Entrance: Free
