Italy entered WWII without any really elite units aside from perhaps the alpine troops. It was not the norm for units to be considered elite or to operate differently from the others. Sure, there may have been some differences in uniforms, but pretty much all these units marched to the same drummer when it came time to go into battle.

This was not the way it was in WWI when the Arditi assault troops were operating or those units made of foreign troops who fought on the side of the Italian. However, this was soon to change. When some units emerged from battle in the desert in 1940, what they learned set them apart from troops who had not gained any battle experience. These troops had learned what worked and what had not. This made them elite from the norm. Also when paratroopers or special assault units were developed as well as some armored units, these were newly formed elite units whose missions were different from the rest of the Army. As a result, they were ones who demanded more from those in their unit so that only the best were acceptable.

In this book as part of Osprey's Elite series, the authors take a good look at what was developed during the war years and how they performed in battle. This includes motorized and armored units, paratroopers, assault engineers, alpine units, special forces that were similar to the British long range desert units, foreign volunteer units and units made up of the 'black shirts' who, like the SS, were loyal to the leader first.

The Elite series is more about the dress and equipment of the fighting soldier than it is about the battles that they fought. But without a background as to the organization of the various units and the conditions under which they fought, the gear and garb would seem a bit odd. Throughout there are superb period photographs and the excellent illustrations of J. Shumate, which really help bring to life the way these men looked when in combat.

An overall outstanding reference on World War 2 Italian special force troops and their equipment. One that the enthusiast simply has to have in his reference library.

June 2012

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