The Re.2001 reached operational status late in 1941 with 2° "Gruppo" (part of 6° "Stormo") that had returned from North Africa without aircraft in September 1941. Its three "Squadriglie", 150ª, 152ª and 358ª, were based at Gorizia and then relocated to Rome-Ciampino in December. But due to technical reasons the unit was not fully equipped and trained until February 1942. Finally, on 4 May 1942, it moved to Caltagirone, in Sicily, with 18 Reggianes, under command of "Colonnello" Bajlon. In May 1942, Re.2001s began to fly escort missions over Malta, encountering British Spitfire Mk Vs. The first encounter took place on 12 May, when 15 Reggiane 2001s of 2° "Gruppo", while escorting (with Macchi MC.200s) three Savoia-Marchetti SM.84 of 4° "Gruppo", were attacked by nine Spitfires, and the Reggiane downed two British fighters for no losses to themselves. During the violent air combat, the Supermarine fighters shot down a "Regia Aeronautica" bomber and badly damaged the other, but the Reggiane pilots quickly reacted and shot down two Spitfires, one by "Sergente" Paolo Morcino, that had to make a crash-landing (just like his commander) close to Ispica, as his undercarriage had been damaged by a 20 mm cannon shell. That day actually the RAF lost three Spitfires: one pilot, Sergeant Charles Graysmark of 601 Sqn was killed and another, Sergeant Cyril 'Joe' Bush of (126 Squadron), wounded. Pilot Officer Michael Graves, 126 Sqn, was also shot down but bailed out uninjured.