Italian Army Elite Units & Special Forces 1940–43

Italian Army Elite Units & Special Forces 1940–43
Author: Pier Paolo Battistelli
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 131
Release: 2011-11-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1849088950

Italian military historian Pier Paolo Battistelli examines the elite and specialforces units of the Italian Army during World War II. This includes a vast array of troop types, including paratroopers, assault engineers, sea-landing and swimmer units, long-range recce and ski units, and even hand-picked Fascist 'Mussolini' units. It also delves into the specialist tank and armoured units that were created to emulate the German armoured units. While the Italian units discussed enjoyed mixed success, the volume draws attention to the incredibly hard fighting done by some in the deserts of North Africa and the frozen wastelands of Russia. Illustrated with rare archival photographs and specially commissioned artwork, this is a fascinating insight into a little-studied aspect of Axis forces.

Uniforms and Equipment of the Italian Armed Forces in World War I

Uniforms and Equipment of the Italian Armed Forces in World War I
Author: Spencer Anthony Coil
Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited
Total Pages: 432
Release: 2006
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780764325366

The author carefully examines the variations of uniforms and equipment used by the Italian armed forces during the First World War using over 700 carefully chosen and captioned period photographs. Further enhancing this work, is an informative essay by internationally acclaimed author, historian and collector Professor Dr. Renato Zavattini. There are detailed chapters covering Italian machinegun, medical, artillery, motor corps, infantry, technical, and special units such as flamethrowers. Other chapters feature the air service, Libyan Campaign, P.O.Ws, and trench life as well as the legendary Alpini, Arditi, Bersaglieri, and Carabinieri. The color gallery displays heretofore unpublished photos of original headdress, uniforms, equipment and accoutrements from private collections. This work is a must for all serious historians, collectors, model builders, wargamers, and re-enactors.

The Italian Army of World War I

The Italian Army of World War I
Author: David Nicolle
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 127
Release: 2012-11-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782006931

The dilemma of the young Italian kingdom and the experience of her army in the Great War were unique among the combatant nations. Late to enter the war against the Central Powers, she faced a massively defended Austro-Hungarian front in the north, including strong mountain features, as well as distractions in the Balkans and a simultaneous rebellion in her Libyan colony. Costly and repeated battles on the Isonzo front culminated in the disaster of Caporetto in October 1917, followed by a remarkable revival and eventual victory in 1918. This concise study describes and illustrates the Italian Army's campaigns, organisation, uniforms, weapons and equipment – including the famous 'death companies' and Arditi assault troops.

Uniforms & Equipment of the Austro-Hungarian Army in World War I

Uniforms & Equipment of the Austro-Hungarian Army in World War I
Author: Spencer A. Coil
Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2003
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780764318696

Franz Joseph I and Karl. These emperors ruled a multiethnic empire destined to become one of the central powers in World War I. In addition to the studio portraits shown, the candid photos offer an authentic view of life in the trenches and on the battlefield. Each photo has been carefully chosen and researched to offer the reader detailed information on the k.u.k (royal and imperial) Empires air, motor and medical corps, as well as infantry, artillery, pioneer and railroad troops. There are chapters covering highly decorated elite units, such as the Bosnian and the Kaiserschuetzen. A full color section of heretofore unpublished photos of original head dress, uniforms, equipment and accessories used by the k.u.k armed forces provides valuable information on the materials, markings, stamps, and construction of field caps, cavalry helmets and flight gear. Also included in this section are pilot badges and cap and collar insignia. This book is an indispensable resource for all historians, collectors, re-enactors, war gamers and model builders. 550 colour & b/w photographs

Fighting Men of World War II

Fighting Men of World War II
Author: David Miller
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2008
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780811703741

Describes weapons, equipment, and uniforms of World War II Allied Forces.

The Italian Army In North Africa

The Italian Army In North Africa
Author: Walter S. Zapotoczny Jr.
Publisher: Fonthill Media
Total Pages: 362
Release: 2018-08-17
Genre: History
ISBN:

Previously unpublished analysis of why and how the Italians foughtA look at the role the Italian Army played in North Africa as part of the Deutsches Afrika Korps (German Afrika Korps)In spite of poor leadership, the Italian soldier performed well against all odds in North AfricaProfusely illustrated with many rare and unpublished images ‘The German soldier has impressed the world, however, the Italian Bersagliere soldier has impressed the German soldier.’ Erin Rommel aka ‘The Desert Fox’ When most people think of the Italian Army in North Africa during the Second World War, they tend to believe that the average Italian soldier offered little resistance to the Allies before surrendering. Many suggest that the Italian Army performed in a cowardly manner during the war: the reality is not so simple. The question remains as to whether the Italians were cowards or victims of circumstance. While the Italian soldier’s commitment to the war was not as great as that of his German counterpart, many Italians fought bravely. The Italian Littorio and Ariete Divisions earned Allied admiration at Tobruk, Gazala and EI Alamein. The Italian Army played a significant role as part of the German Afrika Korps and made up a large portion of the Axis combat power in North Africa during 1941 and 1942. In the interest of determining how the Italian Army earned the reputation that it did, it is necessary to analyse why and how the Italians fought.

Flying Equipment of the Italian Air Force in World War II

Flying Equipment of the Italian Air Force in World War II
Author: Alberto Spaziani
Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2014-02-28
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780764343773

This book is a highly detailed look at World War II era Italian flight gear. Much of the information appears here for the first time in English. Covering flight suits, flight helmets, goggles, parachutes, life vests, oxygen masks, boots, gloves, and more, in over 600 images, offering full coverage of this long overlooked topic. Color photography shows full views of actual period clothing and equipment, as well as close-up details of manufacturers' marks and labels, zippers, buttons and snaps, and insignia. War era images, including rare period color, show Italian aircrews wearing a variety of Italian and German flight gear.

American Lions

American Lions
Author: Robert J. Dalessandro
Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2010
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780764335181

Told here is the riveting story of the 332nd U.S. Infantry Regiment in the Army in World War I. As Pershings Propaganda Regiment they were the only American regiment assigned to Italy, where they formed a phantom army that helped defeat the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The 332nd fought in the Vittorio-Veneto Campaign and following the armistice, served in the occupation of Austria, Dalmatia, and Montenegro. Includes the uniforms, insignia, and ephemera, of the 332nd; lavishly illustrated with over 300 rare and previously unpublished color and sepia photographs, which are drawn from public and private collections. This detailed work illuminates the compelling story of the courageous Lions of St. Mark.

The Italian Army of World War I

The Italian Army of World War I
Author: David Nicolle
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 50
Release: 2012-11-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1782007520

The dilemma of the young Italian kingdom and the experience of her army in the Great War were unique among the combatant nations. Late to enter the war against the Central Powers, she faced a massively defended Austro-Hungarian front in the north, including strong mountain features, as well as distractions in the Balkans and a simultaneous rebellion in her Libyan colony. Costly and repeated battles on the Isonzo front culminated in the disaster of Caporetto in October 1917, followed by a remarkable revival and eventual victory in 1918. This concise study describes and illustrates the Italian Army's campaigns, organisation, uniforms, weapons and equipment – including the famous 'death companies' and Arditi assault troops.

Rangers

Rangers
Author: Michael Julius King
Publisher:
Total Pages: 102
Release: 1985
Genre: Government publications
ISBN:

This Leavenworth Paper is a critical reconstruction of World War II Ranger operations conducted at or near Djebel el Ank, Tunisia; Porto Empedocle, Sicily; Cisterna, Italy; Zerf, Germany; and Cabanatuan in the Philippines. It is not intended to be a comprehensive account of World War II Ranger operations, for such a study would have to include numerous minor actions that are too poorly documented to be studied to advantage. It is, however, representative for it examines several types of operations conducted against the troops of three enemy nations in a variety of physical and tactical environments. As such, it draws a wide range of lessons useful to combat leaders who may have to conduct such operations or be on guard against them in the future. Many factors determined the outcomes of the operations featured in this Leavenworth Paper, and of these there are four that are important enough to merit special emphasis. These are surprise, the quality of opposing forces, the success of friendly forces with which the Rangers were cooperating, and popular support.