HANDBOOK OF THE ITALIAN MILITARY FORCES 2 AUGUST 1943

This handbook was published to give U.S. military personnel a better understanding of the principal characteristics and is dated 2 August 1943 about five weeks before the Italian surrender. It begins with a description of distinctive branches or specialities the most characteristic of which was the arm of the Royal Carabinieri a semi-military body occupying historically the senior position in the Army. Other specialities included the Grenadiers of Sardinia the Bersaglieri the Alpini and the San Marco Marine Regiment the equivalent to the US Marine Corps. The handbook then goes on to show in order the organisation of Command and Staff of formations (corps and divisions) and of the arms and services; services supply and transportation; ranks uniforms insignia medals and decorations; armament and equipment and a chapter on the Air Force There are chapters on tactical doctrine and principles of employment on permanent fortifications camouflage and abbreviations. Finally there is a brief index.