Decima Flottiglia MAS "Sea Devils" shields

[Raffaello Carola]

The Decima Flottiglia MAS (Decima Flottiglia Mezzi d'Assalto, also known as la Decima or Xª MAS)
(Italian "10th Assault Vehicle Flotilla") was an Italian èlite commando frogman unit
created during the Fascist government.
The acronym MAS is referred to a special class of light torpedo boats used by the
Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marina) since World War I.
In 1943, after the Savoy armistice the commander Junio Valerio Borghese the
"black prince" commander of Xª MAS created an private alliance to support the
german troops in north Italy before the RSI government with an autonomous army during
the war, during the Italian Social Republic (Repubblica Sociale Italiana or RSI) the
Xª MAS have an effective of aprox 30.000 soldiers.
The shields of Xª MAS exist in two type zamac and brass the first for
the land troops the second for the sea troops exist with some differences
of the skull and rose, another type very rare have the words Xª DIVISIONE.
cheers, Raffaello

[Raffaello Carola]

2

[Raffaello Carola]

skulls differences about two model "long rose" and "short rose"

[Raffaello Carola]

4

[Raffaello Carola]

1944 rare photo of an pilot of torpedo boat silver bravery medal

[Raffaello Carola]

the shield in brass

[Dennis S]

Here are two of mine. I think you will find as originals. Francesco reports that they were produced by "Bregonzio"

[Dennis S]

No#2 same maker

[Ralph P]

Thanks for the thread and educational...

[Daniele C]

Raffaello!
Great picture!!!

[Patrick Dempsey]

Great thread and information!

Out of interest, is it known why a metallic shield was chosen and not cloth?

Thanks for posting good detail shots, it is invaluable to fellow collectors.



Patrick.

[Raffaello Carola]

Dennis, two original shields in zamac produced Bregonzio factory
this tipology of shield are found from an very lucky collector unused
many years ago, and for more time are available, today are rare
The Xª MAS shield exist in metal and cloth generically the cloth
type was used from officers rank, the design od the skull and rose
is certainly among most fascinating , and looked full of iconographic
story of Com.te Todaro the last words wher compared the death
in war at an lovely red rose "beautiful and fragrant red"
Unfortunately this shield is reproduced in more type after we see
the all the repros.
cheers, Raffaello

[John T]

Very nice images. Does anybody have images of the repros?

John

[Ludwig]

Excellent shields and very nice and rare photo!
Kai Winkler had one of these shields not so long ago.

[Raffaello Carola]

thanks for the compliments ,those are the repro of the Xa Mas
shields Tavoletti's book: "Nel Mondo delle Riproduzioni" H&W
Italiana Editor (ISBN 88-7133-366-7) pages 42/43
cheers, Raffaello