folgore el alamein

Like most Italian ‘infantry’ units fighting in North Africa, the Folgore possessed limited transport. HQ Battery As was heavier firepower in the form of attached Italian 75mm and 88mm guns. Storia del Paracadutismo Militare Italiano - Paracadutisti Monza. With Fausto Tozzi, Rossana Rory, Gabriele Tinti, Matteo Spinola. Learn More . It was designed to break through the Italian-held southern sector of the El Alamein line, where the Bologna, Brescia, Pavia and Folgore Divisions anchored the Axis right flank. For the Italian Cold War mechanized division, see, Playfair I.S.O. Before the departing for North Africa the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" and 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" switched units: the 185th ceded the more experienced II and IV to 187th, which in turn ceded the VIII and X to the 185th. 14th Parachutists Rifle Company Because of the canceled invasion, the Folgore dispatched to Africa to assist the Axis cause. Wikipedia Articles Historians differ on the merit of this decision. On 7 November, the commander of the British 44th Infantry Division, General Hughes, made an effort to meet with the Folgore’s commander, General Frattini. Women's El Alamein battle folgore bersaglieri italian ww2 1942 T-Shi XL Olive: Amazon.ca: Clothing & Accessories 10th Parachutists Rifle Company On 1 September 1941 the Royal Italian Army raised the 1st Paratroopers Division in Tarquinia. Using Ultra intercepts that forewarned the upcoming Axis operation, Montgomery prepared a new defensive alignment to support his change in the 8th Army’s philosophy on the use of its armor. In the early morning darkness of 2 November 1942, the next phase of Montgomery’s plan, Operation Supercharge, began. By 6 November, only a handful of the original 5,000 Folgore remained. Provisional Battalion/ 155th Artillery Regiment (8,8cm Flak 37, 10cm K18 and 21cm K38 – from the Geman 21st Panzerdivision). The few survivors, who managed to withdraw, were reorganized into the 285th Formation Battalion and fought in Tunisia, where they surrendered to the Allies in 1943.[10][11][13]. 185th Transports unit [14] At the end of the battle of El Alamein, Harry Zinder of Time magazine noted that the Italians paratroopers fought better than had been expected, and commented that: "In the south, the famed Folgore Paratroopers Division fought to the last round of ammunition". On Amazon: Rommel’s Desert War: Waging World War II in North Africa, 1941-1943 (Cambridge Military Histories) The first Italian paratrooper units were trained and formed shortly before World War II in Castel Benito, near Tripoli in Libya, where the first Military Parachuting School was located. El Alamein War Cemetery. Among the sand no longer deserted Colonel Camosso ordered his surrounded soldiers to destroy their weapons before the surrender. These often suicidal charges proved highly effective at both destroying British armor and at unnerving the Allied soldiers who witnessed the assaults or heard rumor of the destruction and mayhem the Folgore inflicted. Browse more videos. Italian and German engineers in the area worked diligently to strengthen the existing minefield created by the British but was now in Axis hands, to provide a daunting defensive obstacle in front of their positions. Under the command of General Enrico Frattini, the division was doing its best to rest and reorganize after their victorious but grueling battles against the Allied forces the previous month. The 4th Battalion covered the perimeter locations in this sector. 29th Parachutists Rifle Company “Tantillo”  Tactical Group (5th and 6th Battalions). Their exhausted soldiers possessed minimal ammunition and supplies. The “Carabinieri” is the Italian Military Police Corps. Italian Folgore Division paratroopers dug in with a 37mm cannon at El Alamein. “DOBBIAMO INCHINARCI DAVANTI AI RESTI DI QUELLI CHE FURONO I LEONI DELLA FOLGORE“. The focus then shifts upon the Folgore’s major engagement of the campaign during the Battle of El Alamein: 'Operation Lightfoot', which was launched by General Montgomery on 24 October 1942. Clifton, commander of the New Zealand 6th Brigade. They therefore attempting a retreat on foot through the desert with only limited supplies, water, and ammo. 23rd “ Guastatori” Parachutist Company Italian Paratrooper Badge. The Allies surrounded or smashed some of the forward Italian positions at the onset of their attack, but stifled as they approached the Italian defense’s main line. It was designed to break through the Italian-held southern sector of the El Alamein line, where the Bologna, Brescia, Pavia and Folgore Divisions anchored the Axis right flank. [3] Two years later, in 1939, two Paratroopers Military School based in Tarquinia and in Viterbo were established. Additionally a seventh battery was formed with surplus materiel found by the division during its transfer to the front. In a preview of what would come to pass at Second El Alamein, the soldiers of the 185th Folgore Division, particularly members of the 9th Btn, delivered an impressive defensive victory, mauling the British in this encounter. In the OOB, those numbers have been “translated” in standard Arabic numerals to avoid confusion. On 23 October 1942, Montgomery began his much anticipated Allied offensive. The defender’s expert use of their anti-tank guns helped in part to once again halt the Allied advance. Thanks to the tip from Manteuffel: "The heroic behavior of the Folgore Division during the Second battle of El Alamein in resisting the attacks of six British divisions (two armored and four infantry) inspired the respect and admiration of its enemy. Diverting to the shadow of Alam el Halfa, Montgomery ‘sprung the trap’ that waited patiently for them. 5th Parachutists Artillery Battery (47/32 mod.35) Strong interest in WW2. 21st Battalion/132nd Artillery Regiment “Ariete” (88/55 FlaK 37 – from the “Ariete” Division) Many Folgore gave their lives in the desert that year. HQ Company Montgomery was not yet done with his offensive. 50:46. He felt both angry and embarrassed at being captured by Italians. The regiment took command of the three paratroopers artillery groups, which each fielded two batteries with four 47/32 cannons per battery. These soldiers made their way back into Tunisia. Related Posts : army , division, folgore, italian, paratrooper, ramcke By Paulo Henriques em 10:34 PM. However, the four divisions attacking the Folgore positions in the south had also been given breakthrough objectives. The first step, known as Operation Lightfoot, initiated with an artillery bombardment, the like of which that had never before seen during the entire North African Campaign. The 185th Artillery, 186th Paratroopers and 187th Paratroopers regiments received a second Gold Medal for specific actions during the Second Battle of El Alamein. Directed by Giorgio Ferroni and written by Remigio Del Grosso and Ernesto Gastaldi it starred Frederick Stafford, George Hilton and Michael Rennie. The Allied attack began with an artillery barrage, followed by an all out assault by the 7th Armoured and 44th Infantry divisions. Their actions against incredible odds won the praise of the German allies and respect from the advancing Allies. On Amazon: Pendulum of War: Three Battles at El Alamein All rights reserved. There is also a nearby chapel. The discipline and proficiency of the Italian anti-tank gun teams were continually called upon to stem many Allied armored advances, often from a precariously close distance. On the same date the Paratroopers Division Artillery Regiment was activated. So this was the day that all organized resistance from the Folgore was to end. One must pass through the arched entrance to enter the grounds of the memorial. The 186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore" (Italian: 186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore") is an active unit of the Italian Army based in Siena in Tuscany.The regiment is part of the army's infantry corps' Paracadutisti speciality and operationally assigned to the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore". Directed by Guido Malatesta. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. HQ Company While describing key … [6] The division was intended to be used in Operation Hercules – the planned Axis invasion of Malta. My Father served in the Pacific with 710 Tank BTL at Anguar, Peleliu, and the Philippines. However, all that was achieved at a high casualty rate was a small salient, which was soon recaptured. Passerby, stop and revere. 21st Parachutists Rifle Company, 185th Parachutists Artillery Regiment, with: Accept Read More, Italian Folgore at El Alamein: Unbreakable, Rommel’s Desert War: Waging World War II in North Africa, 1941-1943 (Cambridge Military Histories), Iron Hulls Iron Hearts: Mussolini’s Elite Armoured Divisions in North Africa, The Path to Victory: The Mediterranean Theater in World War II, Pendulum of War: Three Battles at El Alamein, The Battle of Alamein: Turning Point, World War II, Italian Armor in German Service during WW2, Operation Vigorous and Operation Harpoon (1942). Shortly after this engagement, a Folgore patrol captured Brigadier General G.H. To aid in the raising of the 183rd Infantry Regiment "Nembo" the 185th ceded its X Paratroopers Battalion to the 183rd and raised the XI Paratroopers Battalion in its stead. The Second Battle of El Alamein lasted from 23 October 1942 to 11 November 1942. 185th Signal Engineers Company the best flower of a people and a fighting army. [1], By 1939 there were two Libyan Paratroopers Battalions. Operation C3, scheduled for the spring of 1942, would provide the Folgore a crucial role in the Axis plan to wrest control the critical Island from the British. The fighting during First El Alamein petered out less than two months earlier, ending in what many consider a stalemate between the opposing sides. The fighting raged into the early morning of 24 October 1942 as each side fought hard in this ferocious encounter. On Amazon: The Path to Victory: The Mediterranean Theater in World War II The composite, regimental-sized Artillery group commanded by Col. Boffa was named “Raggruppamento” (that still means Group in Italy). 28th Parachutists Rifle Company 6th Parachutists Artillery Battery (47/32 mod.35). General Hughes’ men had suffered a high number of casualties against the Folgore, and the Allied General had been more than impressed with the resilience and skill of his adversary. 20th Parachutists Rifle Company It had been formed for the invasion of Malta, which never took place; so it was sent to Africa. While on the defensive, it was assaulted by the British 131. El Alamein was a battle that was lost with great honour, facing up to overwhelmingly superior fire power with poor weapons but with great spirit and … 185th Mixed Miners-Construction Engineers Company, 8th “Guastatori” Parachutist Battalion, with : 19 talking about this. Playing next. Comando Supremo is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. They further point out that the Axis troops were now openly facing a stronger and more mobile opponent, who would quickly be able to call upon these advantages. Folgore nella Battaglia di El-Alamein. 4th Parachutists Rifle Company The Folgore also sustained a high number of losses after the first night of fighting, particularly the 8th Battalion. The Folgore Division was an elite paratrooper force for Italy which had trained hard for the inva-sion of Malta. The 186th Regiment held the southern sector,  flanked on the right by the Italian Pavia Division. When Rommel regained the upper hand in the Desert War early in 42, accomplished at a high cost in both material and fuel, he pushed for Hitler to ‘postpone’ Operation C3 to concentrate all available Mediterranean resources for a renewed push into Egypt. HQ Company The Folgore utilized just about anything explosive they possessed, from grenades to improvised Molotov cocktails. El Alamein - 23/ottobre/1942. Did the Italians have an Effective Navy during... Italian East Africa Theatre in World War II, Battle of Cape Spartivento on 27 November 1940, Caproni Campini N.1: World’s Second Jet Aircraft, Giovanni Messe: Italy’s Best WWII General. [2], The 2-months[2] Instructors course began in March 1940. The British committed a sizable force to battle, including the Green Howards Rgt., 4/8th Hussars Btn., and the Royal West Kent, to break through the Italian defense to engage the German positions behind the initial Folgore sector. On the 26th, the British attempted to concentrate their attack on the southern portion of the Italian line. The Regiment traces its origins back to the 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore", framed within the "Folgore" Division established in 1941. welcome the ghosts of these boys in that corner of heaven The German allies greatly respected the Italians’ performance in this clash, so much so that Wehrmacht leaders awarded 11 Iron Crosses to Folgore soldiers for their heroics on the battlefield. 2nd Parachutists Artillery Battery (47/32 mod.35), 2nd Parachutist Artillery Battalion, with : To put this philosophy into practice, Montgomery had cleverly left a ‘gap’ in the southern sector of the front designed to funnel Rommel’s attacking forces into his ‘trap,’ a substantial grouping of British tanks and artillery near Alam el Halfa ridge. On Amazon: Iron Hulls Iron Hearts: Mussolini’s Elite Armoured Divisions in North Africa Months before finding themselves locked into one of the greatest battles of the war, the Folgore Division were to participate in the planned assault on the island fortress of Malta. Upon finding General Frattini amongst the captured Folgore, he saluted and expressed the highest of praise for the Folgore’s gallantry in combat. 55:29. On 30 August 1942, General Erwin Rommel unleashed Operation Brandung, a concentrated attack undertaken by his Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee (ACIT – Armata Corazzata Italo-Tedesca) against the tired yet stout British and Commonwealth forces, designed as a follow-up engagement launched on the heels of the recently concluded First Battle of El Alamein . [6], In North Africa the division participated in the First and Second Battle of El Alamein. El Alamein Battlefield. (2004) [1st. [12] On 6 November, after having exhausted all its ammunition, the remainder of the Division surrendered. for the eternity are here as a garrison the boys of the Folgore With Fausto Tozzi, Ettore Manni, Monica Clay, Aldo Bufi Landi. Divisione Paracadutisti Folgore (185. 6th Parachutists Rifle Company, 4th Parachutist Infantry Battalion, with: Email This BlogThis! On Amazon: The Battle of Alamein: Turning Point, World War II. 61° Fanteria Presidio di Tobruk … Montgomery’s new plan shunned past British doctrine of sending it’s armor out to engage Axis tanks ‘in the open.’ Instead, the valuable tanks were to stay ‘protected’ in the distance and fulfill an ‘anti-tank’ role. FOLGORE: ITALIAN PARATROOPERS AT EL-ALAMEIN . The attack on Malta was canceled once Hitler persuaded Mussolini to give his blessing in favor of allowing Rommel the chance to continue his advance. The British suffered the loss of over 1,100 men, including hundreds forced to surrender to avoid annihilation. After the opening artillery bombardment, soldiers from the 1st Free French Brigade, 1st Greek Brigade, plus armor and infantry from the 7th Armored Division, slammed into the Folgore’s positions in an attempt to overwhelm its defenders and break into the rear of the Axis line. The 8th Army’s victory here helped to lead to ultimate Allied triumph. 4th Battalion/26th Artillery Regiment “Rubicone” (100/17 mod.16 – from the “Pavia” Division) [2], After quarrels,[2] in 1937 paratroopers schools were assigned by law to the Regia Aeronautica. Italian War Memorial El Alamein is like the Commonwealth Cemetery. The British 132nd Infantry Brigade/44th Inf. Instead of a sea of gravestones, you find yourself at the beginning of a long path. Instead, he decided to build up his forces for the next encounter to come; a confrontation he was determined to fight on his timetable and under his terms. Officially renamed under the cover name of 185th “Cacciatori d’Africa” Infantry Division, although reports and dispatches continued to refer to them as 185th “Folgore” Parachutist Brigade, this “Division” would prove it’s worth to the Axis cause many times over. The British military leadership reluctantly conceded that although they held a numerical superiority in almost every category over their adversary, they could not defeat the Folgore in this sector with the forces they had so far employed. "FOLGORE" in Italian means Lightning. © 2000-2019 Comando Supremo. History of the Second World War; United Kingdom Military Series. To help compensate for the overwhelming disadvantage in firepower, the Folgore utilized an ingenious yet dangerous tactic to counter the immense British superiority in armor throughout the battle. Image: Noclador, CC 3.0. The German cemetery is an ossuary, built in the style of a medieval fortress. As the Folgore fell back from their lines, they pulled their artillery by hand through the sand. Throughout the Battle of the Second El Alamein, a tank group from the German 21st Panzer Division, along with elements of the Ariete Armored Division, had stood by in the rear behind the Folgore to act as a reserve to counter any British breakthrough that might occur. 185th Mixed Carabinieri Company (Military Police) The Desert Fox was defeated. 20th Mortars Company (81mm mod.35) This upcoming confrontation, The Second Battle of El Alamein, would be considered one of the critical turning points of the entire war. In the summer of 1942, during the Second World War, a group of young paratroopers from the Folgore Division, after having been subjected to a long and tiring training in Italy, was transported by air to the Libyan desert to cover the Italian-German front. At the onset of the Axis attack, the Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee forces had indeed played into Montgomery’s hand during their attempted flanking maneuver to the south. Italian Paratrooper Badge. [8] On 15 March 1942 the 3rd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment with the battalions VIII, IX, and X was raised in Tarquinia.[6]. Regimental Command and HQ Company Soon this reputation would be put to the test, as Montgomery’s southpaw hook delivered during the opening phase of Second Alamein headed towards the 14k stretch of line manned by the Folgore. While scouting, he mistakenly drove his vehicle into the midst of a group of Folgore soldiers. | Privacy Policy | Contact us. The Italian artillery battalions were named “Gruppo” (Group). The divisional artillery disbanded the 2nd Battalion and split among the Tactical Groups, together with the other divisional assets. 20th Supply section School Command (the Commander was a senior officer of the Air force, the Deputy Commander a senior officer of the Army); 1st Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 April 1941), 2nd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 September 1941), VIII Paratroopers Battalion (re-roled as Paratroopers Sapper unit in May 1942), Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company, II Paratroopers Battalion (from 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo"), IV Paratroopers Battalion (from 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo"), I Paratroopers Artillery Group (3x batteries with, III Paratroopers Artillery Group (3x batteries with 47/32 cannons), 7th Paratroopers Artillery Battery (47/32 cannons), 20th Mortar Company (81mm Model 35 mortars and M28 Mortars), 185th Mining and Explosives Engineers Company, Corporal Major Antonio ANDRIOLO, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23 – November 4, 1942, First Lieutenant Roberto BANDINI, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23–25, 1942, First Lieutenant Ferruccio BRANDI, 187th Paratroopers Regiment, October 24, 1942, Second Lieutenant Pietro BRUNO 132d Transport Regiment, Private Giuseppe CAPPELLETTO, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23–25, 1942, Private Giacomo CESARONI, 187th Paratroopers Regiment, October 29, 1942, Private Leandro FRANCHI, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, November 1942, Second Lieutenant Giovanni GAMBAUDO, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23–24, 1942, First Lieutenant Marco GOLA, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23–24, 1942, Private Gerardo LUSTRISSIMI, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23–25, 1942, Sergeant Major Dario PIRLONE, 185th Artillery Regiment, October 24, 1942, Sergeant Nicola PISTILLO, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23–25, 1942, Corporal Major Dario PONZECCHI, 185th Paratroopers Regiment, October 26, 1942, Captain Costantino RUSPOLI, Prince of Poggio Suasa, 187th Paratroopers Regiment, October 26–27, 1942, Captain Gastone SIMONI, 187th Paratroopers Regiment, October 23–27, 1942, Sergeant Major Mario GIARETTO, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, August 8, 1942, Second Lieutenant Omero LUCCHI, Folgore Division Artillery, August 31 – September 4, 1942, Sapper Clinio MISSERVILLE, 185th Assault Sapper Company, September 10, 1942, Major Aurelio ROSSI, 187th Paratroopers Regiment, August 20 – September 3, 1942, Captain Fabio RUGIADI, 187th Paratroopers Regiment, August 30, 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Carlo Marescotti RUSPOLI, Prince of Poggio Suasa, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, First Lieutenant Giovanni STARACE, Folgore Division, July - November, 1942, Second Lieutenant Giovanni STASSI, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, August 25 – September 2, 1942, This page was last edited on 2 January 2021, at 08:09. In the northern section of the Axis line, Allied troops began to break through and exploit their earlier gains as the Allied offensive unfolded. Special thanks to Arturo Filippo Lorioli for providing both historical information and content, not to mention the finely constructed OOB. See 25 Experiences. The division was sent to Africa and fought in the Battle of El Alamein with the following structure:[16]. At El Alamein, it helped anchor the southern end of the line and was hit hard by the 7th Armored Division and two infantry divisions. We found 3 results for you in El Alamein Clear all filters. Small initial gains by the attackers against isolated ‘outposts’ led them eventually straight into Italian strong points. In 1941, the division was created as the 185. The focus then shifts upon the Folgore's major engagement of the campaign during the Battle of El Alamein: 'Operation Lightfoot', which was launched by General Montgomery on 24 October 1942. After the war the combat group became the Mechanized Division "Folgore", which was disbanded on 31 October 1986. The British could not break through as planned. La Battaglia di El Alamein (196.9) The Battle of El Alamein part 1/2. The Italian army did have both Engineers “Guastatori” units and Infantry “Guastatori” units, sharing much of the same training. Infantry … The latter is marred by selective editing. 30th Parachutists Rifle Company, 187th Parachutist Infantry Regiment, with: accogli gli spiriti di questi ragazzi in quell’angolo di cielo The 185th artillery found itself dispersed among all the Tactical Groups. La Battaglia di El Alamein (196.9) The Battle of El Alamein part 2/2. The 88s (and the similar 90/53) did not belong to any specific group but used as mobile assets dispersed to the various groups during different phases of the battle. Magg. Having been driven east by Axis forces in 1942, the British had established a strong defensive line at El Alamein, Egypt. (PL), 2nd Cavalry Division Emanuele Filiberto Testa di Ferro, 3rd Cavalry Division Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta, 21st Infantry Division Granatieri di Sardegna, 22nd Infantry Division Cacciatori delle Alpi, 40th Infantry Division Cacciatori d'Africa, 65th Infantry Division Granatieri di Savoia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=185th_Paratroopers_Division_Folgore&oldid=997798488, Military units and formations established in 1941, Military units and formations disestablished in 1943, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Direct and immediate origins of the 185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore" lie in the Paratroopers units formed in the wake of the breaking out of the World War Two. Highly skilled soldiers of the heavy AA/AT artillery battalion of the “Ariete” Armored Division manned the 88s. W. Churchill Dedicato all'amico Luca A. Documentario con le testimonianze dei soldati italiani reduci dalla battaglia di El Alamein. However in the course of the battle the division was annihilated and declared lost on 23 November 1942. During the Second battle of El Alamein the Folgore Division was under attack from three British divisions 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, 7th Armoured Division, and the 1st Free French Brigade. 4th Parachutists Artillery Battery (47/32 mod.35), 3rd Parachutist Artillery Battalion, with : 139 reviews #1 of 3 Sights & Landmarks in El Alamein "The cemetary is quite well kept, even though its in the middle of sandy desert, with a bit of greenery in between the graves." Rommel, defying Hitler’s explicit command to stand his ground, ordered all Axis forces to fall back on the night of 2-3 November 1942. While the bravery of the Folgore at El Alamein has often received praise and admiration, its soldiers’ skill level is often overlooked.

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