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Led by tough, experienced officers, the Italian paratroopers were a well-respected foe – during the battle of El Alamein troops of the Folgore (Lightning) Division repelled the British attacks for weeks. The Folgore fought until expending their last round of ammunition, taking out British tanks with near suicidal close quarters attacks and choosing bayonet charges over raising the white flag, such was their elan. Like their Regio Esercito (Royal Italian Army) counterparts, the airborne divisions relied heavily on the Breda 37 medium machine gun and the Mortaio da 81/14 Modello 35 81mm mortar for close fire support. Contains 10 metal miniatures:

• 2 Officers with SMG
• 1 NCO with SMG
• 1 Radio Operator
• MMG team
• Medium mortar team
• Plastic bases

Produced by Fiat Ansaldo, the M13/40 was the main battle tank of the Italian army in World War II and served throughout the war following its introduction in 1940. Although designated as a medium tank it was more in line with the light tanks of other nations at the time. With armour up to 42mm thick, and armed with a 47mm main gun backed up by up to four 8mm machine guns, it carried a four-man crew. Its diesel engine, whilst underpowered, giving a top speed of around 20mph, was less vulnerable to catching fire and had better range than petrol-fuelled vehicles. The most widely produced Italian tank of the war, the M13/40 battled on in the Western Desert and Italy despite Allied tanks far eclipsing it in firepower, speed and protection. This superb plastic kit can alternatively be assembled as a Semovente tank. The Semovente 75/18 self-propelled gun brings some much needed armoured reinforcements to Italian forces. The Semovente was an Italian self-propelled gun, built by mounting the 75mm Obice da 75/18 modello 34 mountain gun on the chassis of a M13/40 or M14/41 tank. It had riveted steel plates, which were thicker but also less sloped than in the original tank. Frontal armour was almost vertical, but it consisted of two plates rather than a single layer, which improved stopping power. You may think these tanks may only be for Italian Bolt Action armies, but you’d be dead wrong. Captured examples of the M13 were used by the Australians at Tobruk and the Germans were known to use Semoventes. The kit has you covered, including a decal sheet with Italian army, German army and Australian Army markings. Contains 1 plastic tank

Mussolini famously boasted that the Italian army had eight million bayonets standing at the ready. In actuality, the standing Italian army was far smaller than that, with huge numbers of troops conscripted into a war they neither believed in nor understood. The fighting ability of units of the Italian army varied greatly, with much of the rank and file lacking proper equipment, transport and even motivation. Still, there were several key battles in North Africa and the Eastern Front where they performed well. Camicie Nere (Blackshirts) Militia The MVSN or Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (Voluntary Militia for National Security) was made by the Fascist Party into a paramilitary organization similar in concept to the German SS. The rank and organizational terminology used by the MVSN was very close to that of ancient Rome, with legions, centuries, cohorts, maniples and so on. Mostly concerned with territorial security and counter-partisan activities, in wartime the Camicie Nere were organized into ‘assault legions’ that were fielded alongside regular army infantry divisions to reinforce them and as a way to ‘politicize’ the Regio Esercito. The quality of these militia units varied immensely, ranging from barely trained village bullies to veterans of the Spanish Civil War and highly motivated ‘Giovani Fascisti’ (young fascists). The Sprue The Italian uniform changed several times during the course of the war and we chose the pattern that could best represent a wide array of troops, at different times during the war, and in different theatres of operation. At 28mm scale, these are ideal to represent M37 or M40 tunics. We have also included the Camiciotto Sahariana pullover smock for added variety. Weaponry includes the M91/41 rifle, M91/38 Carcano Cavalry Carbine, M38A Beretta SMG, M38 Carcano carbine, M1934, 9mm Beretta pistol and Breda M30 LMG. A wide variety of headgear for the Italian Army and Blackshirts are included – M33 steel helmets, Bustina cap, M1935 pith helmet, Blackshirt soft fez & Blackshirt hard fez. Not only that but the sprue contains masses of optional extras such as two types of gas mask bags, goggles, bayonets, combat knives, etc!