Paolo Crippa Livres

The Armistice of 8 September 1943 caught the Italian armored units, both Tank units and Cavalry, scattered not only on the national territory, but also abroad. Similar to what had happened to all the Armed Forces, not even they were immune to the storm that had been unleashed and even from these units the reactions to Badoglio's tragic announcement were the most disparate. Through an accurate analysis, in the pages of this book we will analyze how the armored units behaved in those tragic moments, in a synthesis that until now has never been proposed.The units that opposed the attacks brought by the Germans, although in need of armaments, fought for reasons of desperation, in a war that was now lost, and for a touch of military pride. For this reason it is necessary to retrace the events of those days, in order to pay homage to the fallen and to all those who did their duty to the end.The second volume recounts the events that took place in Rome, after the cessation of hostilities, the heroic episodes of Resistance which occurred in Piombino, Parma, Piacenza and Sardinia, without forgetting what happened to the armored units outside the national borders. The text concludes with the discussion of the (failed) attempts to reconstitute armored units with the co-belligerant Royal Army and the contribution made by the Tankers to the liberation struggle.

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.

In the 40's of the last century, a small unit of Italian tankers was sent to the islands of the Dodecanese, the CCCXII Mixed Tank Battalion of the Aegean, an unknown and forgotten unit, of which there is very little official documentation. Despite not having taken part in the war clashes, due to the isolation to which the Italian Aegean Islands were condemned, if not the invasion of Crete in 1941, this department was touched by pain and death after the Armistice, when the almost all the tankmen were taken prisoner by the Germans and many of them tragically died in the sinking of the steamers that carried them from the Aegean to Europe, a huge tragedy unjustly forgotten.

The narrative delves into the unique role of the "Leonessa" armored group within the Italian Social Republic's armed forces, highlighting its operational significance in anti-partisan warfare. Originating from a pre-armistice armored division loyal to Mussolini, the unit faced challenges after Italy's surrender, including the loss of equipment to German forces. Despite this, many soldiers resisted fighting against former allies, instead seeking weapons and tanks in abandoned barracks to continue their fight alongside the Germans.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the narrative unfolds in the town of Alba, which witnessed fierce battles between partisans and Axis troops from 1944 to 1945. Notably, the town experienced a brief occupation by Resistance forces during the '23 days of Alba' in October 1944. The struggle culminated on April 26, 1945, when partisans from the 2nd 'Langhe' Division and the 21st Matteotti 'Fratelli Ambrogio' Brigade successfully liberated Alba, marking the end of the Italian Social Republic's hold on the town.

The book explores Bulgaria's military evolution post-World War I, detailing its struggle to rebuild its armored forces under the constraints of peace treaties. It highlights the country's reliance on foreign tank suppliers, including Italy and England, and its eventual acquisition of German and French tanks. The establishment of the Bronirana Brigada in 1943 marks a significant development, leading to Bulgaria's shift in allegiance to the Red Army in 1944, as it participated in the liberation of Yugoslavia and Hungary until the war's conclusion in 1945.

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.

Focusing on a unique military unit, the book explores the "Leonessa" group of the Italian Social Republic, known for its operational prowess in anti-partisan efforts. Emerging from the 1st Armored Division "M" before the Armistice, this unit comprised personnel loyal to Mussolini. Following Italy's surrender, they faced challenges as their equipment was seized by the Germans. However, a faction of the division's members chose to continue fighting alongside the Germans, seeking weapons and tanks to sustain their cause in a tumultuous wartime landscape.

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.