When Italy surrendered...i forget...did they become an allie to the allies? Also were there any Italian units fighting the germans at the end of the war...along with guirilla tactics like in france?
Practically there exploded a civil war, with a pro-allies and a pro-german government and in which fought over 500000 italians. War ended contemporary at WWII
> Also were there any Italian units > fighting the germans at the end of the > war...along with guirilla tactics like in > france? Yes, the fascist government in Northern Italy (Repubblica Sociale Italiana, RSI) raised a few divisions that fought with the Germans and there were some Waffen-SS units that were made up of Italian volunteers. /Marcus http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/
Yes, allies employed growing italian force in Italian campaign. The Italian unit (brigade dimension) started to operate in december 1943 at Cassino. In Summer 1944, it had reached the dimension of a little corp (CIL Italian Liberation Corps). In Spring 1945 there were five italian division (smaller than US one however) inserted in Aliied armies. I add that allied army supply system was largely in italian hands and more that a growing force of partisan operate costantly under german lines (90000 at the start of the last allied offensive). Meanwhile Italian air force operated in Yugoslavia and Italian navy in Mediterrean and Atlantic bye Lupo
There were Italian units fighting for the allies. Kind of reminds me of what happened to the French Forign Legion in WW2. One FFL Brigade or Regiment, actually fought against another, I think this was in North Africa.
Yeah...once Italy surrendered the Northern Italians stuck with Mussolini and the Germans while the south allied itself to the Allies. Mussolini was in charge of the Northern forces (i do believe) after that daring German Paratrooper Rescue that took Mussolini from the house in the mountains (right?) to Facists in Northern Italy. Goes to show he was a good friend of Hitler. ------------------ Mussolini "Blood alone moves the Wheels of history." Benito Mussolini. "What the proletariat needs is a bath of blood." Benito Mussolini, speech in Milan, July 22, 1919 "Liberty is a duty, not a right" --Benito Mussolini
mmmm....Yes Mussolini was freed by Germans from his prigiony on Gran Sasso and placed on lead of a puppet government but it's exaggerated tell "North Italy" stands with him cause a resistance movement devoloped under german-fascist lines which arrived to count 100000 about fighters in spring 1945 bye Lupo
As for any guerrilla resistance force....everywhere. Italian partisans operated in all northern and central italy, keeping engaged quite all the fascist forces and a large part of german ones. Success were particolary good in northwestern Italy (Piemonte) where was possible build "free zones" and cut often german communication through Alps. Other success were obtained in Veneto, Emilia and Abruzzo. Partisan forces were often incorporated in allied ones or in the new organized "Italian Liberation Army" which was fighting aside with allies. Formally, Partisan forces were organized in the so-called "Freedom Volunteer Corps" in summer 1944 under Gen. Cadorna command. Force grow from about 15000 men in fall-winter 1943 to about 100000 in spring 1945 at the start of the last allied offensive bye Lupo
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by C.Evans: There were Italian units fighting for the allies. Kind of reminds me of what happened to the French Forign Legion in WW2. One FFL Brigade or Regiment, actually fought against another, I think this was in North Africa. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thast kinda funny! Were they French or were they other nationalities...and who employed them? Do you know anymore info kinda interested?