Table of Contents

Introduction /Navy units before September 1943 surrender: 10th MAS Flotilla – ‘San Marco’ Regiment – midget submarines /Air Force units before September 1943: ADRA – the ‘Loretto’ Battalion /Navy units after September 1943: 10th MAS – ‘Decima Division’ anti-partisan land force /Air Force units after September 1943: ‘Folgore’ Regiment /Navy and Air Force elite and special units under Allied control, 1943–45: 10th MAS Flotilla – Recce Squadron F /Bibliography /Index

Promotional Information

Italy's navy and air force special forces carved out a formidable reputation in World War II, earning the respect of allies and opponents alike in a host of different roles and environments, from manned torpedoes in the Mediterranean to commando-style forces in North Africa.

About the Author

Piero Crociani acts as a consultant for the Italian Army Historical Branch and is the author of several articles, essays and books on Italian military history. Amongst his published words are The Albanians in the Italian Armed Forces (Rome, 2001); The Neapolitan Army 1806–15 (Milan, 1987) and, together with Virgilio Ilari and Giancarlo Boeri, A Military History of Murat's Kingdom (1806–15) (Milan, 2007). Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in Military History at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is active in Italy and abroad writing titles and essays on military history subjects. A contributor to the Italian Army Historical Office, he is currently revising his PhD thesis for publication: The War of the Axis: German and Italian Military Partnership in World War Two, 1939–1943.

Reviews

This is an interesting, well-illustrated book that looks at the familiar (10th MAS) and unfamiliar (all the rest), and gives a broader picture of the Italian Special Forces than is often the case. - historyofwar.org Fine artwork by Mark Stacey and some photographs that are considered rare illustrate the intriguing story of these elite Italian units in this 64-page paperback. - Toy Soldier & Model Figure