Italian Navy & Air Force Elite Units & Special Forces 1940–45

Italian Navy & Air Force Elite Units & Special Forces 1940–45 cover

Italian Navy & Air Force Elite Units & Special Forces 1940–45

Quantity
In stock
$14.70 RRP $21.00 Website price saving $6.30 (30%)

Save 30% off this title as part of our 2024 Holiday Sale. Sale ends midnight, 8th December 2024.

Description

This volume assesses the formidable special forces fielded by Italy's navy and air force in World War II, both before and after Italy's surrender in September 1943. The Italian Navy special forces were particularly active and respected in the Mediterranean, where 10th Motor-Torpedo Boat Flotilla (Xa MAS) used frogmen, 'two-man torpedoes' and explosive ram-boats; Italian midget submarines were also deployed against the Soviet Navy in the Black Sea. After September 1943 the Germans allowed the expansion of Count Borghese's Xa MAS, which continued fighting on their side at sea and on land, most notoriously in anti-partisan operations. The marines of the 'San Marco' Regiment fought hard in North Africa, earning the respect of their opponents and the German general Hans-Jürgen von Arnim, who described them as the best soldiers he had ever commanded; they also gave birth to a paratroop-frogman section.

The Italian Air Force formed a special commando unit, ADRA (Arditi Distruttori Regia Aeronautica), before the 1943 surrender; it was tasked with attacking Allied airfields and communications in North Africa alongside the 'Loretto' Battalion, which was made up of ground crew trained to operate captured enemy airfields. Men from ADRA and diehard Army paratroopers formed the new 'Folgore' Regiment, which also continued to fight alongside German forces until 1945.

In both cases, the pro-Allied Italian forces also formed 'mirror' units to fight alongside US and British forces, including the Recce Squadron 'F', the first Italian military unit to take up arms against the Germans occupying their country, and the Mariassalto, made up of personnel from Xa MAS who fought alongside British Royal Navy special units.

Featuring rare photographs and specially commissioned artwork, this book tells the story of the little-known elite forces fielded by Italy's navy and air force in World War II, some of whose successors remain in service with today's Italian armed forces.

Table of Contents

Introduction /Navy units before September 1943 surrender: 10th MAS Flotilla – 'San Marco' Regiment – midget submarines /Air Force units before September 1943: ADRA – the 'Loretto' Battalion /Navy units after September 1943: 10th MAS – 'Decima Division' anti-partisan land force /Air Force units after September 1943: 'Folgore' Regiment /Navy and Air Force elite and special units under Allied control, 1943–45: 10th MAS Flotilla – Recce Squadron F /Bibliography /Index

Product details

Published Jan 22 2013
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781849088572
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 45 b/w; 13 col
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Elite
Short code ELI 191
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Pier Paolo Battistelli

Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in military…

Illustrator

Mark Stacey

Mark Stacey was born in Manchester, UK, in 1964 an…

Resources

Discover More

Visit our exclusive member's website to see artwork, maps, and more from this book.

Resources

Book Vote

Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!

Related Titles

Sign up for Osprey membership for access to thousands of plane profiles, maps, battle scenes and more. Plus up to 30% off website purchases

Free US delivery on orders $35 or over