Other Italian Uniforms
“NEW” Miliza Volonaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (MVSN):
Voluntary Militia for National Security, known as the “Black Shirts” os “Camicie Nera”. This was originally the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party, the “Squadrismo”. After 1923, it became the “Volunteer Militia” of the “Kingdom of Italy,” enforcing fascist rule throughout the land.
The similarity between the German SA and SS uniforms is quite clear, and it is evident that Hitler admired their design. The uniform was actually modeled on the Arditi, Italy’s Elite Troops of WWII, who now swore their loyalty to the Fascist party and Benito Mussolini. “El Duce” is what Mussolini became known as when he took over control of the country. Their leadership had been made up of intellectuals and landowners, but as the Duce grabbed more and more power, so did the violence, attacks, and intimidation of his opponents, and he tried to push his power into Africa, fighting the Ethiopians, totally out-matching them, but they stumbled and lost time. The English and other UK territorial units came in defence, and the “Allies had entered the war”. Then Hitler got involved, brought in the Afrika Korps. And the beginning of the end started for both. By 1943, the writing was on the wall, and the Fascist Regime was falling. Soon, the MVSN was absorbed into the Royal Italian Army, and they disbanded.
Decorations: 1-March on Rome, 2-Difesadi FOP.LI’, with 2 stars? 3-…Got me? working on this still.
Thanks to Grant for educating me on this. I knew some of the history, but hadn’t put things together really yet. You cleared some things up for me, now onto the next...
“NEW” Italian NCO (I think), AA/Flak-Artillery? Black jacket:
No Idea Yet? Decorations CSIR… and?
*Sottotenente, Division Alpina, 2nd Tridentina (AA/Artillery too?):
The Sottotenente (2nd Leutnant), OK, this is a guess, adding notes here as I edited this…I’m not sure and haven’t done much research yet to say, I will add to my Italian stuff and their stories in a bit, and fill this in when it comes, in short, if you know for sure, tell me the story here. Really, No Idea Yet, going to have to get some research going? I didn’t find the breaches or boots either.
Decorations, first I think is the medal commemorating the Italian-Austrian war 1915-1918 ?, second is the medal of merit for long command, "GIUSEPPE MOSCONE I think, and the third CSIR/ARMIR, whatever that is? This is still a work in progress as I edit and update the site.
*If this is Alpenia, I may have to move this to that section in the future.
“NEW” Italian Captain?, red tab & star, Gray-green jacket:
No Idea Yet? IBoy, the decorations throw me…researching this, but the last to appear to be the African Campaign that was the same as the Germans, followed by the EK-II German Iron Cross second class….But I could be way off here.
“NEW” Sottotenente, ? Gray, with yellow & Purple piping:
No Idea Yet?
Italian Tanker:
Ok, not much to show here, just a crash helmet…that very well could have been used in an armored car, or even a motorcycle messenger for all I know, yet. Just thought I’d show it here.
