Osprey Men-at-Arms 353 : The Italian Army (3) 1940-1945 : Italy 1943-1945

Immediately after the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943, Mussolini was deposed and the new Italian government switched sides. The German occupying forces swiftly freed Il Duce and ruthlessly disarmed the Italian Army; and from then until the end of the war in April 1945 Italian troops fought on both sides - with the forces of the new Fascist 'Salo Republic', in the Allied 'Co-Belligerent Forces', and in the Partisan movement. Many units were raised by Mussolini's RSI to fight on beside the Germans, with entirely new and often impressive uniforms. Others joined and were equipped by the Allies; and simultaneously, a bitter civil war pitched Fascist security units against the partisan bands of the large and diverse pro-Allied guerrilla movement. This is the final part of Philip Jowett's three book series with illustrations by Stephen Andrew.

Contents

• The Italian Army and the 1943 Armistice
• Regular Army of the Italian Socialist Republic
• Black Brigades
• Autonomous Units
• Partisans
• Italian Co-Belligerent Forces
• Commentary on Colour Artwork