The Royal Italian Air Force had sent volunteers to Spain to help the Nationalists in the Civil War. Although they provided much needed air support to the Nationals, their fighters weren't able to do much against the Soviet Bombers. After the coup in the UK in 1941, Benito Mussolini, wanting to impress Adolf Hitler, launched raids into Egypt to punish England for leaving the alliance against the Soviets. While the Italians were used to outdated equipment and inaccurate bombers, their British foes fared no better, thus making the air war in North Africa an even match.