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

By: Osprey

Type: Softcover

Product Line: Elite - 20th Century - World War II

MSRP old price: $21.00


Product Info

Title
Italian Navy & Air Force Elite Units & Special Forces 1940-45
Publisher
Category
Author
Pier Battistelli, Piero Crociani
Publish Year
2013
Pages
64
Dimensions
7x10x.2"
NKG Part #
2147484601
MFG. Part #
OSPELI191
Type
Softcover
Series
ELI191

Description

This volume assesses the formidable Special Forces fielded by Italy’s navy and air force in World War II. Italian Navy Special Forces were particularly active and respected in the Mediterranean, where 10th Motor-Torpedo Boat Flotilla used frogmen, ‘two-man torpedoes’ and explosive ram-boats. The Italian Air Force formed a special commando unit, ADRA, before the 1943 surrender; it was tasked with attacking Allied airfields and communications in North Africa. Men from ADRA and 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’. 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.