Italian marine (War journal adaptation to graphic novel)

Thanks for this opportunity. I'm currently in the works of adapting my grandfather's war journal into a graphic novel (I'm a comic book artist).
For this I'll need to be certain about a few things, and I'm aware some more questions may come up during the drawing process. I'd love to have the chance to keep asking questions as they arise.
For sure I'd be happy to credit all the people that'll help me.

The journal narrates the story of my grandfather as an italian marine prisoner of the nazis: his travels, works, adventures and misfurtunes while in Berlin. He was taken prisoner in Tortona, Italy, in 9/9/43. And for now I'd like to be sure how his uniform was, and maybe have some context of why he was there. I know that after Mussolini's fall most of the italian troops switched sides.

Other important question: At some point they're forced to join a german battalion. Later in the journal he mentions that it is a "Batt. di disciplina della condena", which I think he may be reffering to the german "Strafbattalions", but I'm not completely sure.

I'd love to have some help! I'll be looking forward to hear from you.

Thanks,
NC

 

Hope this doesn't count as "spam" (it isn't the idea), but in the link below you'll be able to follow the advance of my personal projects. I'm working in only 2 for now. The adaptation is called "Marino", and you'll see a couple of pictures of the journal there. I'll be uploading new stuff as I (slowly) advance.

N. F. Colacitti is creating new concept comics | Patreon

Thanks again!

 

So to make sure we don't miss anything you are looking for at this time:
1) What did his uniform look like.
2) What would he have been doing in Tortona when he was captured. Or what were Italian Marines doing there.
3) Some back ground on the German unit he was incorporated into.

I saw Tortona refered to at least once here:
The Organization and Order of Battle of Militaries in World War II

There's a picture on this page of some Italian Marines from the San Marco Regiment Not sure how close this is to what you want:
1st San Marco Regiment - Wikipedia

There's some more pictures and info at:
Avalanche Press

This site may be worth looking around at if you aren't already familiar with it:
WW2 Italian "Marines" - Comando Supremo

This thread may also have some worthwhile info in it:
http://ww2f.com/threads/the-italian-navy-during-world-war-ii.16032/

 

Thanks for your help! I have plenty of research to do yet, but it feels like I'm in the right track. Send me your name if you will, to later have you in the "thanks to" section of the book I'll be around here whenever I have any news or questions.

 

Check out the following link for a small preview of the project: Marino in progress | N. F. Colacitti on Patreon Thanks.

 

Good luck with your project. Rich A. in Pa.

 

Have you tried for help on Comando Supremo, NCGP?
Might be a good spot for a few more specialists.
Comando Supremo | Documenting the Italian political and military actions of World War Two

Good luck with this.
Spiegelman's ''Maus', among others, taught me graphic novels can carry a story exceptionally well.

 

Thanks a lot, I'll definetely take a look there.
Sure! Spiegelman did a great job. For this project, which it's already very well narrated and written, I'll just have to work as true to the journal as possible.