italian collars

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The war flag of Center A

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At the time of the armistice, the remaining personnel participated in the unfortunated defense of Rome against the Germans:

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With reference to their uniforms there are many interpretations.

To my knowledge this is the first attempt dating back to 1974 when I was fifteen:

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Subsequently, deepening the subject and consulting more recent works I tried this schematism, confirmed also by this image of an Italian lieutenant (2nd battalion-assistant, as can be seen from the gilded half-stripes to the upper lapels) of the Italian-Arab group, found on the web (I apologize myself in advance to the holder but the photo it's too good and it has to be published ). I am now working on a further refinement, based on the consultation of other authoritative sources, but I need some time to complete it ...

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In the meantime a new topic can be started, concerning the co-belligerent royal army after the armistice with the allies. I thought I was starting from the most unknown ones. Then the auxiliary units:

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This is a summary table:

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and this is their organic composition:

Altogether (at the end of the hostilities) 10 groups of battalions, 13 pioneer regiments, 5 worker regiments, 42 service battalions, 26 guard battalions, 7 port battalions, 5 MP battalions (military police), 5 railway battalions, 33 mule-packs units, 81 motor transport coys, 48 auxiliary coys for Air Force, 14 mechanical maintenance coys, 7 traffic police coys, 7 chemical coys, 7 laundry coys, 90 engineers' coys, 9 horses/mules infirmaries, 6 field hospitals.

In detail:

212^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Ernesto Ferone, Napoli)
3° Reggimento Guardie
1° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
2° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
3° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
4° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
5° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
6° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
7° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
8° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
9° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
10° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
Servizi Divisionali

205^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Antonio Casula, Napoli)
assigned to the Mediterranean USAF Command
51° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
53° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
54° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
55° Gruppo Battaglioni Pionieri
Servizi Divisionali

According to other sources:
• 51º Gruppo Aviazione (reggimento fanteria ed artiglieria antiaerea dell'aeronautica)
• 52º Gruppo Aviazione (reggimento fanteria ed artiglieria antiaerea dell'aeronautica)
• 53º Gruppo Aviazione (reggimento fanteria ed artiglieria antiaerea dell'aeronautica)
• 54º Gruppo Aviazione (reggimento fanteria ed artiglieria antiaerea dell'aeronautica)
• 55º Gruppo Aviazione (reggimento fanteria ed artiglieria antiaerea dell'aeronautica)

209^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Roberto Olmi, Perugia)
assigned to the 1st British District
401° Reggimento Pionieri
406° Reggimento Pionieri
413° Reggimento Pionieri
Servizi Divisionali

210^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Cortese, Firenze)
assigned to the 5th US Army
6° Reggimento Guardie
67° Reggimento Fanteria Ausiliario
525° Reggimento Fanteria Ausiliario
548° Reggimento Fanteria Ausiliario
XX Raggruppamento salmerie da combattimento
210° Raggruppamento Genio da combattimento
Servizi Divisionali

227^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Carlo Rossi, Napoli)
assigned to the 3rd British District
513° Reggimento Fanteria Ausiliario
541° Reggimento Fanteria Ausiliario
403° Reggimento Pionieri
404° Reggimento Pionieri
407° Reggimento Pionieri
516° Reggimento Artiglieria Ausiliario
Servizi Divisionali

228^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Tommaselli, Udine)
assigned to the 8th British Army
400° Reggimento Pionieri
405° Reggimento Pionieri
409° Reggimento Pionieri
Servizi Divisionali

230^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Lorenzo Vivalda, Firenze)
assigned to the British Army
1° Reggimento Guardie
412° Reggimento Pionieri
Servizi Divisionali

according to other sources:
• 541º Reggimento fanteria, artiglieria costiera ed antiaerea
• 403º Corpo del genio
• 404º Corpo del genio
• 406º Corpo del genio
• 501º Battaglione di sicurezza
• 510º Battaglione di sicurezza
• 514º Battaglione di sicurezza
• XXI Gruppo salmerie, delle dimensioni di un reggimento

231^ Divisione Ausiliaria (Gen. Mario Nannei, Firenze)
402° Reggimento Pionieri
410° Reggimento Pionieri
417° Reggimento Pionieri
Servizi Divisionali

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Continuing with the lesser known units, the internal security divisions (that is, those that escaped the armistice because located in areas not controlled by the Germans and not used by the Allies for combat tasks but for territorial control)

Divisione di Sicurezza Interna Sabauda dal 1 ottobre 1944 (ad Enna):

I Brigata Sicurezza Interna
45° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale
46° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale

II Brigata Sicurezza Interna
145° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale (former coastal 145th)
16° Reggimento Artiglieria da Campagna (without heavy weapons)

CXXX Battaglione Misto Genio
Servizi Divisionali

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Divisione di Sicurezza Interna Aosta dal 14 ottobre 1944 (a Palermo) using the suppressed Bari Infantry Division HQ:

III Brigata Sicurezza Interna
5° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale
6° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale

IV Brigata Sicurezza Interna
139° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale (former coastal 139th)
22° Reggimento Artiglieria da Campagna (without heavy weapons)

XXVIII Battaglione Misto Genio
Servizi Divisionali

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With reference to the suppressed Infantry Division Bari:

The Regiments 139th, 140th, 340th (former 152nd MVSN Legion), 47th Artillery were transformed into 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th Guards Regiments; the 47th mixed telegraphers/radio-operators company was employed by the Military Command Sardinia in Bortigali.

Divisione di Sicurezza Interna Calabria dal 25 settembre 1944 (a Cagliari):

V Brigata Sicurezza Interna
59° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale
60° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale

VI Brigata Sicurezza Interna
236° Reggimento Fanteria Divisionale Piceno (dissolved in 1946)
40° Reggimento Artiglieria da Campagna (without heavy weapons)

XXXI Battaglione Misto Genio
Servizi Divisionali

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Furthermore:

9 Internal Security Groups (with 26 battalions guards)
1st Group of Internal Security (Turin)
2nd Group of Internal Security (Genoa)
3rd Group of Internal Security (Milan)
4th Group of Internal Security (Merano)
5th Group of Internal Security (Belluno)
6th Group of Internal Security (Bologna)
7th Group of Internal Security (Florence)
8th Group of Internal Security (Naples)
9th Group of Internal Security (Bari)

After the war:

November 1945

The 9 Internal Security Groups were transformed into 10 Guard Regiments in Turin, Genoa, Milan, Merano, Belluno, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples and Bari

April 1946

2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Guards Regiment transformed in Infantry Regiments; 1st, 4th and 5th Regiment Guards into Alpine Regiments

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Special Infantry Regiment Garibaldi (mainly formed by the troops of the Venice and Taurinense divisions returned from Montenegro where they had fought alongside the Yugoslav partisans):

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And now, let's go with the combat units.

1st Motorized Group

It was established on September 27, 1943 with the 67th Infantry Regiment "Legnano", 51st Bersaglieri Battalion (Complementary officers students), 11th Artillery Regiment, 5th Anti-Tank Battalion, a Mixed Engineer Company and a Service Unit.
Subsequently the 67th was replaced by the 68th Infantry Regiment, the Bersaglieri LI Battalion by the 4th Bersaglieri Regiment and it received the Piedmont Alpine Battalion, the 185th Paratrooper Battalion and the "Boschetti" Arditi Battalion.
67th Legnano Infantry Regiment
On September 8th he reacted firmly enough to be chosen as the basis of the 1st group. Withdrawn from the unit after the battle of Montelungo, from February 1944 it entered the ranks of the 210th Coastal Div. From August 1945 he received the units of the "Special Regiment" in dissolution.

4th Bersaglieri Regiment
It was reconstituted on February 1, 1944 with the 21st and 33rd battalions. Assigned to the 1st Group, later it was transferred to the 1st brigade of the C.I.L .. On September 24 , 1944 it was dissolved, keeping alive the "Goito" Bersaglieri Battalion for the special infantry regiment of the "Legnano" Fighting Group.

V Antitank Battalion
It was formed with a command platoon and two cannon companies armed with 16 (47/32) guns. Subsequently assigned to the 68th infantry as heavy weapons battalion.

11th Motorized Artillery Regiment
On March 29, 1942 it was assigned to the "Mantova" Division (104th). Structured on four groups of different calibers, in 1943 it was deployed in Calabria. On September 26, 1943 the Regimental Command and two groups were assigned to the 1stGroup, under the name of 11th motorized artillery regiment. From that moment it finally left the "Mantova" division to follow the fortunes of the first Group. From April 1944 it was included in the supports of the Italian Liberation Corps. In October 1944 it contributed to the establishment of the "Legnano" Combat Group.

LI Mixed Genie Battalion
Reconstituted on November 13, 1943 in San Pietro Vernotico (LE) it was part of the 1st Motorized Group, then the C.I.L. and finally of the "Legnano" Combat Group.

3rd Alpine Regiment
It was established on June 25, 1944 with the "Piedmont" battalion and the "Monte Granero" battalion, for the 1st brigade of the Italian Liberation Corps. The unit was dissolved on September 30, 1944 to form the Special Infantry Regiment of the "Legnano" Combat Group.

185th Nembo parachutist autonomous unit
Constituted by the command of the regiment and by the remains of the XI and III battalions, between October and November 1943 it was assigned to the "Mantua" Division, then transferred to Puglia to be reorganized into an autonomous battalion. In January 1944 it was assigned to the 1st Group and then from March 1944 to the 2nd brigade of the C.I.L .. In September the unit was dissolved and the personnel transferred to the Fighting Group "Folgore"

IX Assault Battalion
The 1st battalion, also known as "Boschetti" battalion from the name of its commander, was renamed IX assault battalion and from March 20, 1944 entered the 1st motorized group. From June 27, 1944 it also received the Volunteer Squadron "Guide" which represented the Cavalry in the C.I.L .. Assigned to the II Brigade of the C.I.L., it became the third battalion of the 68th infantry, while maintaining his own insignia. Dissolved at the end of the war in September 1945.

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The second step: the Corpo Italiano di Liberazione (Italian Liberation Corps)

Comandante: generale di Corpo d'armata Umberto Utili
• Comando e Quartier Generale del Corpo

• Divisione paracadutisti "Nembo"
• 183º Reggimento paracadutisti "Nembo"
• XV Battaglione paracadutisti
• XVI Battaglione paracadutisti
• 183ª Compagnia paracadutisti cannoni controcarro da 47/32
• 184º Reggimento paracadutisti "Nembo"
• XIII Battaglione paracadutisti
• XIV Battaglione paracadutisti
• 184ª Compagnia paracadutisti cannoni controcarro da 47/32
• 184º Reggimento artiglieria paracadutisti "Nembo"
• I Gruppo cannoni campali da 75/27
• II Gruppo obici campali da 100/22
• 184ª Batteria controaerea da 20/65
• V Gruppo artiglieria controcarro
• 9ª Batteria cannoni controcarro da 47/32
• 10ª Batteria cannoni controcarro da 47/32
• CLXXXIV Battaglione guastatori paracadutisti
• 184ª Compagnia paracadutisti motociclisti
• 184ª Compagnia paracadutisti mortai da 81
• 184ª Compagnia genio minatori-artieri
• 184ª Compagnia genio telegrafisti/radiotelegrafisti
• 184ª Sezione fotoelettricisti
• 324ª Sezione CC.RR.
• Servizi divisionali

• I Brigata
• 4º Reggimento bersaglieri
• XXIX Battaglione bersaglieri
• XXXIII Battaglione bersaglieri
• 1ª Compagnia bersaglieri motociclisti
• 3º Reggimento alpini
• Battaglione alpini "Piemonte"
• Battaglione alpini "Monte Granero"
• CLXXXV Reparto arditi paracadutisti
• IV Gruppo artiglieria alpina (someggiato) da 75/13
• Servizi di brigata

• II Brigata
• 68º Reggimento fanteria "Legnano"
• I Battaglione fanteria
• II Battaglione fanteria
• Reggimento "San Marco"
• Battaglione "Bafile"
• Battaglione "Grado"
• IX Reparto d'assalto (Compagnie 102 da sbarco, 123 terrestre, 110 speciale)
• Squadrone "Cavalleggeri Guide"
• V Gruppo artiglieria alpina (someggiato) da 75/13
• Servizi di brigata

• Truppe di Corpo d'Armata
• 11º Reggimento artiglieria motorizzato
• I Gruppo cannoni pesanti campali da 105/28
• II Gruppo obici campali da 100/22
• III Gruppo obici campali da 75/18
• IV Gruppo obici campali da 75/18
• V Gruppo cannoni controcarro da 57/50
• Batteria controaerea da 20/65
• CLXVI Gruppo artiglieria di Corpo d'Armata da 149/19
• LI Battaglione misto genio
• 51ª Compagnia genio artieri
• 51ª Compagnia telegrafisti/radiotelegrafisti
• 51ª Sezione fotoelettricisti
• Servizi di corpo d'armata

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The last step: The combat groups

Gruppo di Combattimento "Mantova" (Gen. Guido Bologna)
• 76º Reggimento fanteria "Napoli", su
• I Battaglione Fanteria
• II Battaglione Fanteria
• III Battaglione Fanteria
• Compagnia Mortai da 76
• Compagnia Cannoni Controcarro da 57/50
• 114º Reggimento Fanteria "Mantova", su
• I Battaglione Fanteria
• II Battaglione Fanteria
• III Battaglione Fanteria
• Compagnia Mortai da 76
• Compagnia Cannoni Controcarro da 57/50
• 155º Reggimento Artiglieria "Emilia", su
• I Gruppo Cannoni Obici Campali da 88/27
• II Gruppo Cannoni Obici Campali da 88/27
• III Gruppo Cannoni Obici Campali da 88/27
• IV Gruppo Cannoni Obici Campali da 88/27
• V Gruppo Cannoni Controcarro da 76/55
• VI Gruppo Contraereo da 40/56
• CIV Battaglione Misto Genio, su
• 2 compagnie genio artieri
• 1 compagnia genio collegamenti
• Servizi Divisionali