Italian volunteers

Discussions on all aspects of the Spanish Civil War including the Condor Legion, the Germans fighting for Franco in the Spanish Civil War.
vincenzoforum
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Location: Lazio

#16

Post by vincenzoforum » 16 Jan 2008, 14:59

firsts unit (from august until november) missione militare italiana (35 men) a few fightning units. i think for training (2 tank coy, 1 btry and 2 section 65/17, logistic) (383 men, 35 L3, 10 65/17). weapons (20000 rifles, 102 lmg, 50 45mm light motars, 32 65/17, 12 20/65)

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Valerio
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Location: Italy, Rome

Re: Italian volunteers

#17

Post by Valerio » 07 Jan 2011, 15:04

The Battle of Guadalajara was really important for the Italian anti-fascist and democratic movement because, for the Republican victory, was decisive the contribution of the "Garibaldi Brigades" (the 3,500 Italian pro-Republican volunteers coming out of Italy for their active opposition to the Mussolini's dictatorship).

It was the first victory of the Italian democratic movement on the Mussolini's fascism.

Anyway, the principal Mussolini's help to the Franco's cause was the Italian air corps (721 modern aircraft) that the Italian regime sent in the Baleari islands with 6,000 Italian expert pilots and motor mechanics for the organization of the nationalist air army:
405 Fiat C.R.32
12 Fiat G.50
65 Savoia-Marchetti S.M.81
99 Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79
16 Fiat B.R.20
18 Breda Ba.65
36 IMAM Ro.37bis
16 Caproni Ca.310
10 Caproni A.P.1
6 Breda Ba.28
9 CANT Z.501
4 CANT Z.506
In particular, more appreciated by the nationalist forces were the fighter aircraft C.R. 32 (called "Chirri") and the exellent bomber aircraft S.M.79 (called "Sparviero").
"Et fia 'l combatter corto / che l'antiquo valor / nell'italici cor / non è ancor morto"
(Francesco Petrarca)


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tigre
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Re: Italian volunteers

#18

Post by tigre » 13 Oct 2014, 16:15

Hello to all :D; a little complement.........................

THE BATTLE OF GUADALAJARA.

The battle of Guadalajara, which took place 8-23 March 1937, resulted in a resounding victory for the Madrid Government and was a severe blow to Italian prestige. Having failed to capture Madrid by a frontal attack, Franco now decided to isolate the Spanish capital and thus force its evacuation or surrender. His plan was to launch a quick, hard blow by fast motorized units, with the main effort along the road: Siguenza-Guadalajara-Henares-Madrid and penetrate deep into Government territory, thus cutting off the Madrid-Valencia highway.

In order to carry out the above plan, the Insurgent force was concentrated in the vicinity of Siguenza and consisted of two motorized Italian divisions (each division consisting of two regiments of infantry of three battalions), one machine-gun battalion, some accompanying weapons, portee artillery and a battalion of fast, light Ansaldo tanks. This Italian force numbered about 20,000 men. It was a heterogeneous army, made up of unemployed, '''volunteers'' returning from Ethiopia. The High Command and Staff were Italian regular army officers. However, this force had won a comparatively easy' victory at Malaga, on 9 February. It was transported north to its concentration area, utilizing about 2,000 trucks. The Government, apparently having made no strategic air reconnaissance, was completely unaware of this large hostile concentration and had no knowledge even of the start of the offensive.

The attack was launched early in the morning of the 8th by the 2d Division after a three-hour artillery preparation, and an advance of eight kilometers was made through the Government defense system on that day. By the 9th, the advance guard had reached all its objectives, without difficulties; but, unfortunately the main body, having been delayed for hours due to the destruction of a bridge, was unable to exploit the success. This delay gave the defenders time to bring up reinforcements and thus plug the breach. On the 11th, the 2d Division captured Trijueque and the 1st Division, advancing on its left via the Brihuega road, captured Brihuega. At this time, nature came to the assistance of the Government forces. The rain which had not ceased for several days, transformed the surrounding terrain into a sea of mud and, as a result, long lines of trucks were immobilized and stranded on the roads.

On the 10th, the Government had concentrated a force of about 100 Russian planes in the airdrome at Alcala de Henares, thirty-six miles from Madrid, and during the afternoon of that day, Red planes made a reconnaissance of the objectives for the following day. On the 12th, the 2d Division stretched out for 20 kilometers along the Zarogoza Road, was surprised completely by Red aviation and was repeatedly bombed and machine gunned. More than 500 bombs (50 and 100 kgs) were dropped and over 200,000 rounds fired without any hostile air opposition. Due to the mud, Nationalist aviation could not take off from its temporary fields, while Government aviation had no difficulty flying from its permanent airport near Madrid. The air attack was further favored by low ceilings and caused a tremendous panic in the Italian columns.

On the 13th, another air attack by 28 Red planes was launched, disorganizing the convoy that was trying to get reorganized on the only road available. Red reinforcements, supported by Vickers-Armstrong tanks, more maneuverable in the mud than the Fiat Ansaldos, forced the Nationalists to retreat, Red infantry reoccupying Trijueque without fighting. No pursuit or air operations were undertaken on the 14th or 15th. Air attacks were renewed on the 16th and 18th, and Red infantry, now numbering from four to five brigades, one of which was the International Brigade, captured Brihuega. By the 19th, the Italians were in full retreat. On the 20th, Red aviation attacked the Insurgents north of Almadrones, Algora and Navalpotro. The Nationalists' retreat continued until 23 March, when they were finally able to stop the Red advance at a point a few kilometers from the line of depature of 8 March.

Source: THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR. Military News Around the World. Military Review Dec 1937.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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durb
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Re: Italian volunteers

#19

Post by durb » 01 Nov 2014, 12:27

Perhaps the first Italian volunteers were the men flew few Savoia SM-81 bombers to Spain on 30.7.1936 - two of these planes had to land to French territory, which caused first international reactions about Italy´s involvement with SCW.

The commander of flight, Rugero Bonomi, joined Spanish Foreign Legion and rest of the airmen joined him becoming thus officially aviators of Spanish Foreign Legion forming "Aviación del Tercio" on 30.7.1936/1.8.1936. This created the very base of Italian air contingent in Spain. The Italian airmen of later Aviazione Legionaria did not come to Spain by forced choice, they were volunteers at least at the same extent as the Germans of Legion Condor.

Notes based on Alcofar Nassaes: La aviación legionaria en la guerra española. (Barcelona 1975) - rather old book, but perhaps the most detailed (and best?) that there is available on Italian air contingency in SCW.

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tigre
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Re: Italian volunteers

#20

Post by tigre » 20 Mar 2015, 15:29

Hello to all :D; another little complement.........................

Troops of Santoña Battalion (2nd), 2nd Regiment Black Arrows - Benafer, front of Levante.

Source: Italian "Black Arrow" Photo Album - CTV (Corpo Truppe Volontaire) Spanish Civil War - TOP RARE !. Historical Media.

Cheers. Raul M 8-).
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Capitano Capra and Black Arrows in Benafer ..............................
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Italians and Spaniards Black Arrows in Benafer ............................

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tigre
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Re: Italian volunteers

#21

Post by tigre » 24 Mar 2015, 19:29

Hello to all :D; something more.........................

2nd Regiment Black Arrows - Benafer, front of Levante.

Source: Italian "Black Arrow" Photo Album - CTV (Corpo Truppe Volontaire) Spanish Civil War - TOP RARE !. Historical Media.

Cheers. Raul M 8-).
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Col.lo Farina C.O of 2º Reg. Black Arrows with Cap Quagliata - Benafer.....................
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Officers of IIº Bat Santoña - Benafer................
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tigre
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Location: Argentina

Re: Italian volunteers

#22

Post by tigre » 07 Jan 2023, 17:14

Hello to all :D; another little complement.........................

Light tank L-3.

Source: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Foto-2-Panzer-d ... 100623.m-1

Cheers. Raul M 8-).
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A pair of Italian L/33 or L/35 light tanks rolling in a Spanish city.........................
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