In August 1941, the Italian air force command dispatched a single air corps, formed out of the 22º "Gruppo Autonomo Caccia Terrestre" with four squadrons and 51 C.200s to the Eastern Front with the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia, the first component of the Regia Aeronautica to contribute to the campaign. By 12 August 1941, all 51 C.200s had arrived at Tudora, Ștefan Vodă, near Odessa. On 13 August 1941, commanded by "Maggiore" Giovanni Borzoni and deployed in 359a, 362a, 369a and 371a "Squadriglia" (Flights). On 27 August 1941, C.200s carried out their first operations from Krivoi Rog, achieving eight aerial victories over Soviet bombers and fighters.