Gruppo Esplorante, San Marco division

[wallonien]

Hi guys!
I would like to have some info about the RSI unit Gruppo Esplorante of the San Marco division. Where they fought, where they surrendered and so on, a brief history of the unit in other words.

Thanks in advance!

[brus]

Hello,
sorry I can't find on-line quick info in english.
However this unit have mainly operated in the river Po area, around Asti and Alessandria towns. It was a well equipped and well trained unit, compared with other units of RSI period. Usually its actions were incursions with an anti-partisan purpose.
A recent book (in italian language) that talk exactly about this unit is:
"Il Gruppo Esplorante della Divisione San Marco nelle Langhe" by R. Lamura

Regards
Brus

[wallonien]

Thanks brus!

Did they always fight togehter with the San Marco division or did they fight like an ijndependent unit from time to time?
Do you know if they were equipped with any reconaissance vehicles?

Yes, I've heard about that book, I'll have to look it up!

[brus]

Hello,
if I remember right, it usually operated as indipendent unit "separated" from San Marco division, with squads composite of few men. Yes it is a motorized unit (also light armoured? I don't know exactly), this allowed they to execute fast mop-up operations.

Regards
Brus

[wallonien]

Ok, that's what I was guessing. Grazie brus!

[brus]

It's my pleasure!

Brus

[kanister]

Thanks brus!


Do you know if they were equipped with any reconaissance vehicles?

Hi, if I remember right the all S.Marco division, 12000 men, owned only 60 wehicles on the whole and many vere requisitions.

An old book about this unit war: "S.Marco, S.Marco.... Storia di una divisione" by P.Baldrati, in italian.

[wallonien]

Thanks! Any additional info about the Gruppo Esplorante is of interest to me!

[wallonien]

I have some questions about the sleeve patch. Which one of these three would be the correct one?
http://www.filatelicafiorentina.com/...&IDC=501&PAG=3
http://www.filatelicafiorentina.com/...&IDC=501&PAG=4
http://www.filatelicafiorentina.com/...&IDC=501&PAG=3

[kanister]

Hi Wallonien. The Gruppo Esplorante of S.Marco worked many times disguised as partisans. I think your patches were not in use.

[wallonien]

I found this pics of the sleeve patch in wear;



Do you think it's the version with the black backing or the grigioverde one? Looks like grigioverde, right? But I guess both patterns were worn?

[CIANO]

Hi,

Please go to the link (in italian) and you can find the history of the "Gruppo Esplorante"

You have the translator in the link, so you can read it in the language you want

http://www.mymilitaria.it/Liste_02/rsiesplora.htm

I hope to have helped you

regards

Luis

[Gustavo66]

Hello,
here is a pic of a few soldiers from Gruppo Esplorante S.Marco
ciao
Gustavo

[wallonien]

Thanks a lot Gustavo66! Do you have more?

[Gustavo66]

You are very wellcome Wallonien,
yes I have another one where you can see the arm insignia

ciao
Gustavo