Anzio V.

This is coolbert:

Anzio continued!

Italian SS.

During the prolonged and bitter fighting at Anzio, allied units encountered, much to their surprise [?], SS ground combat units comprised of Italian volunteers.

A brigade sized unit of Italian volunteers, fascist fanatics, loyal to El Duce and the fascist ideal in general. Italians seeking to redeem Italian valor and honor on the battlefield, as part of the Axis cause.

This was the: "29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Italian) "

"In April 1944 three Battalions fought against Allied bridgeheads of Anzio and Nettuno with surprisingly good results . . . On 7 September 1944 renamed to Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS (italienische Nr. 1)"

The Germans referred to this Italian SS unit as: "1. Sturmbrigade Italienische Freiwilligen-Legion". "Freiwilligen" best translated as VOLUNTEER! Persons joining the fight of their OWN FREE WILL - - no coercion!

"three Battalions fought against Allied bridgeheads of Anzio and Nettuno with surprisingly good results"! Fought WITH SURPRISINGLY GOOD RESULTS!

The general perception among military historians is that the Italian performance during the Second World War [WW2] was poor to very poor?

The public also perceives the same? The Italians did not do well at all in any category of military combat during WW2?

Generally speaking, this is correct? However - - some Italian combat units during WW2 were noted for comporting themselves very WELL! I am thinking of the naval commando units of Decima Flottiglia MAS [in the aftermath of Italian surrender survivors of Decima continued the fight, some on the side of the allies, some on the side of the German!]. The Italians did have some very good motor torpedo boat [MTB] units that enjoyed success both during both WW2 and prior to that the Great War!

See this former blog entry dealing with the entire question of Italian combat proficiency during WW2.

The Italians have the ancient tradition of the Roman legions and the empire as inspiration and should not be sold short? "Lions do not beget rabbits!"

coolbert.