Commerative Cross of the Bologna divsion in North Africa

[Hille76]

Here´s a commemorative Cross of the Bologna division in North Africa.
In Brambilla´s books there exists two type of this cross. The first
with the small letters like mine and a second one with bigger letters (it´s rare) on the backside.
In fact the Bologna division was never a real motorized division.

[Hille76]

the backside

[Ralph P]

Hille76 - Thanks for posting the medal. How long was this medal used? Thanks...

[Hille76]

Hello Ralph,

it´s really a hard question. In the Brambilla´s books this medal was found in 42/43. But the reality is that this division was virtually destroyed in El Alamein at Novembre 1942.
But how many escaped from EL Alamein? I don´t know.
Now it´s time to research more about Italian units ...

Cheers
Timo

In the next time I will post more medals about Italians in North Africa.
It´s a very interesting theme.

[Ralph P]

Thanks much for the follow up post...I will be ready to read more in the future...

I will be waiting for your other theme medals from North Africa...

Hello Ralph,

it´s really a hard question. In the Brambilla´s books this medal was found in 42/43. But the reality is that this division was virtually destroyed in El Alamein at Novembre 1942.
But how many escaped from EL Alamein? I don´t know.
Now it´s time to research more about Italian units ...

Cheers
Timo

In the next time I will post more medals about Italians in North Africa.
It´s a very interesting theme.

[Tom M]

I have recently picked one of these up in my travels exactly like the one posted here. Seeming as it's a fairly old topic, does anybody have any new information on these medals?

[Hille76]

I have recently picked one of these up in my travels exactly like the one posted here. Seeming as it's a fairly old topic, does anybody have any new information on these medals?

Can you share yours?


Best
Timo

[Jean-Loup]

Who was this medal awarded to and in what circumstances was it supposed to be worn? I am not very knowleadgable about italian medals and dont understand the concept of their numerous commemorative medals. There seems to be little information about these on the net.

[Passo Stanco]

commemorative medals were designed by professionals hired by companies (Boeri, Johnson, Lorioli) or directly from the soldiers or officers. They were produced and paid by the regimental o bataillon cash and then sold to officers and soldiers or given as a gift to the authorities.
Medals and badges unofficial were not portable in the uniform. In some cases, for special honors, badges unofficial were regulated and became officially. In this case they could be worn. For example the badge of Torino Division, the Lupi di Toscana, Pasubio, Sabauda etc.
the medals and unofficial badges were still tolerated by the commands and often can see pictures of soldiers and officers who wear them. this to increase the team spirit and belonging to the regiment o bataillon.

the cross of Bologna Division in North Africa was sold to soldiers and officers and was sometimes taken out of order on the left breast pocket.

[Ironcrown]

In my opinion this cross was produced but only partially distributed and nearly never worn as the division was destroyed at El Alamein.
Very few soldiers escaped the capture, and the few who did, not for sure bought the cross.
Probably, most of thecrosses that we can find today are unissued examplars.

[Jean-Loup]

Thanks for the additional explanations.
Sorry to sound negative guys.... But basicaly these are medals of narcisism, odered and designed by people trying to glorify themselves and their own acts, and meant to be bought with money, not earned with courage. I can understand that these were not recognised even by the Italian authorities, and that they arouse little collector interest.

JL

[enorepap]

Hallo Jean-Loup

I have to disagree with you. In all armies of the world the soldiers wish to distinguish themselves for their sense of belonging to a specific unit. So, in all countries it has always existed and will always exist this phenomenon. Italy (but not only) has a strong tradition for unofficial medals and badges, that have a vast internal market and sometimes much higher prices than the official ones. This is also due to the fine art of Italian sculpture and coinage and of embroidery of metallic yarns from the private industry and not only from the State Mint. The true fact is that the Italian militaria has gained much interest, even abroad, only since few years ago and this for many reasons including mainly its complexity and the fact that foreign collectors (and even a lot of Italians) are magnetized by the German militaria. This is obviously just my personal opinion.

Marcello

[Jean-Loup]

Just to clarify, I like italian militaria a lot myself, I was only lashing out at this specific medal, that I find has a particularly flamboyant design when compared to the little meaning it actually has.
Someone wearing this at a post war ceremony would look more impressive than a soldier wearing a MOVM.

[enorepap]

Hallo Jean-Loup

I know well that you are a passionate researcher of the italian military history and for that I respect you very much and I always follow your beautiful researches on WAF.

In this case I just want to point out that the Bologna division honorably participated in almost all the campaign in North Africa and its remains have to surrender only when the retreat on foot in the desert was impossible and after having exhausted all means of resistance. My teacher of elementary school (1968-1970) was a former lieutenant of the division and he told me some interesting stories about the end of his unit. I assure you it was not easy for the Allies (of all races and colors) to capture that handful of desperate heroes.

Marcello

[Semovente]

I agree with Enorepap..what he says about his teacher ...when you talk to a actual veteran then the real truth becomes clear...yes all men in battle are brave..fearfull..even run away..but thats war..& what soldier does'nt like a medal to pin on his chest !?..in Britain..many collectors laugh at the Italians war time forces etc...because they only know the properganda thats remains from war time films & books etc that gave them a false impression of italian fighting forces....i too thought that one time & i only collected German kit like lots of other collectors world wide...but as i got fed up with that .. with crazy prices ..fakes knee deep etc..and i got more & more into italian militaria over the years ..i now know that those misconceptions of the Italians in war time a lot different from what i was taught !!..& as they say knolledge is power !!...my pennys worth..