Italy's red-and-white ship identification stripes

Why did Italian warships carry red-and-white bow markings, and did other navies use similar schemes?

They were aerial recognition markings intended to reduce friendly fire; other navies painted flags, names, or symbols on decks and turrets for the same purpose.

Large Italian warships used red-and-white striping so friendly aircraft could identify them from above before attacking. Britain and the United States likewise painted flags, names, or national symbols on decks and turret roofs. Once an enemy aircraft was close enough to read those markings, concealment had already largely failed, so preventing friendly fire mattered more. Japan's prominent carrier roundels served the same recognition purpose but also offered enemy pilots an obvious aiming reference.