Carlo Cucut Livres

After gaining independence in 1917, Finland fell into a three-month civil war, at the end of which the front formed by republicans, conservatives and monarchists put socialist and communist opponents to flight. Thus began the constitution of the Finnish Army (Suomen Armeija), based on conscription and, unfortunately, poorly armed. The Finnish Armored Corps can trace its origin back to 1919, when the Tank Regiment was formed on July 15, with FT-17 tanks. Between the First and Second World Wars, the Finnish army made an effort to modernize its armored forces, acquiring assets from abroad and reorganizing its structure several times. The Finnish armored units took part in 3 major conflicts: the Winter War (1939-40), the Continuation War (1941-1944) and the Lapland War (1944-45).

After declaring independence in 1918, the fledgling armed forces of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania managed to defeat the Red Army. During the war, the first armored units were formed, equipped with vehicles conquered from the enemy or handed over by the British. After the conflict, those initial departments were strengthened with the purchase of tanks and armored cars, to form armored-armored components subsequently incorporated by the Soviets in 1940, after the annexation to the Soviet Union.

The goal that we have set ourselves with this series of two volumes, written by four hands, is to give an overall picture of the Divisions formed by the Army of the R.S.I. on the departments employed in the fight against the partisans by the Republican National Army, starting from the last months of 1943, offering a purely military point of view, free from judgments of any kind. The intention to "continue the war" had always been present since the beginning of autumn 1943 in the military authorities of the Social Republic. In the course of talks, three Mussolini and Hitler agreed to form a new fascist army, which, in the intentions of the Fuhrer, was to be composed of an army of 10/15 Divisions. In reality only 4 were planned and formed by the Republican National Army: 1st Bersaglieri Division "Italia", 2nd Grenadiers Division "Littorio", 3rd Marine Infantry Division "San Marco", 4th Alpine Division "Monterosa". This second volume is dedicated to the "San Marco" Division, which operated in Liguria and Garfagnana, against the Allies, until the end of the conflict, and to the "Monterosa" Alpine Division.

Focusing on the artillery equipment of the Armed Forces of the Italian Social Republic, this study addresses a significant gap in historical knowledge. It highlights the challenges in evaluating the armament used by various Departments, as most lacked a standardized battle order. Instead, these forces were often equipped with whatever weapons they could find or recover during the reconstruction period. The research aims to provide a clearer understanding of the artillery resources available to these units.

The narrative unfolds in the aftermath of the Armistice, focusing on the strategic region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and its annexation by the Reich. The Italian Social Republic's efforts to reassert control faced significant German opposition, leading to the establishment of the Territorial Defense Militia (M.D.T.) as a semi-autonomous unit. Concurrently, local leaders initiated the formation of the Civic Guard in Trieste, reflecting a broader movement for self-defense across the region. The book explores themes of authority, resistance, and the complexities of military governance during this tumultuous period.

Focusing on the military operations of the 1st Bersaglieri Division "Italy," this volume examines its role in the southern front of Garfagnana during World War II. The narrative provides a detailed account of the division's formation and actions, set against the backdrop of the Republican National Army's efforts to continue the fight against the Allies after 1943. The authors aim to present a comprehensive military perspective, devoid of political judgments, as part of a broader series exploring the divisions created by the Army of the R.S.I.

Set during World War II, the narrative explores Italy's military ambitions under Mussolini, focusing on the disastrous campaign against Greece that began in October 1940. Following Italy's occupation of Albania and its protectorate over the Dodecanese Islands, the campaign revealed Italy's military weaknesses, compelling Germany to intervene. This shift transformed Italy's pursuit of dominance in the Balkans into a subordinate conflict aligned with German interests, highlighting the complexities of alliances and the consequences of military overreach.

Text in Italian and EnglishGià nei primi giorni dopo l'armistizio in molte località in Italia e all'estero, singoli alpini o gruppi o interi Reparti organici, scelsero di continuare a combattere a fianco del vecchio alleato tedesco, venendo da questi utilizzati o nei loro Reparti o autonomamente. Costituitasi la Repubblica Sociale nel Nord Italia e la struttura dell'Esercito Nazionale, con l'emanazione dei bandi di arruolamento, il forte afflusso dei volontari e la scelta dei militari internati di rientrare in servizio nel nuovo Esercito, si dette l'avvio alla costituzione delle Forze Armate della R.S.I. nelle quali svolsero un ruolo primario gli Alpini, nonostante le difficoltà per l'approvvigionamento dei materiali militari.