When the Greco-Italian War started on 28 October 1940, the "Regia Aeronautica" fielded 193 combat aircraft, which initially failed to achieve air superiority against the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF), which had 128 operational aircraft out of a total of 158. The poor infrastructure for Albania air bases hindered communications and movements between the Italian flying units. Only two airfields – Tirana and Valona – had macadam runways, so autumn and winter weather made operations more difficult. There was also the usual lack of co-operation between the Italian Navy and Army. Finally, just few days after the start of the war, Italian pilots were confronted by No. 80 Squadron, led by the outstanding ace Marmaduke Pattle and equipped with Gloster Gladiators, No. 30 Squadron, No. 211 Squadron and No. 84 Squadron with Bristol Blenheims, and No. 70 Squadron with Vickers Wellingtons. Gradually, Italian air power (including "Squadriglie" flying from Italian air bases) grew to over 400 aircraft against the dwindling numbers of the Greeks. However, this advantage did not stop the Hellenic Army from forcing the "Regio Esercito" onto the defensive and back into Albania. In early 1941, the tide was turned as the German Wehrmacht launched its simultaneous invasions of Yugoslavia and Greece.