Author: Pier Paolo Battistelli
Illustrator: Johnny Shumate

About this book
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.

Contents

• Introduction
• Elite units - armour: tank and mechanized units of 'Centauro', 'Ariete' & 'Littorio' divisions, and 'Trento' and 'Trieste' motorized divisions - scout groups, armoured scout units
• Paratroopers: experimental units - 'Folgore' and 'Nemdo' divisions
• Assault engineers: 31st and 32nd 'Guastatori' battalions
• Special Units: 'Monte Cervino' ski battalions - X Arditi regiment: paratrooper, swimmer and LRRP companies - 'Red Arrows' Group: Arab, Indian turncoat, and Italian assault volunteer battalions
• Fascist 'Mussolini' units: sea-landing battalions, tank units

Paperback; November 2011; 64 pages; ISBN: 9781849085953