Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in Military History at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is active in Italy and abroad writing titles and essays on military history subjects. A contributor to the Italian Army Historical Office, he is currently revising his PhD thesis for publication: The War of the Axis: German and Italian Military Partnership in World War Two, 1939-1943. Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator living in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his career in 1987 after graduating from Austin Peay State University. Most of his work is rendered in Adobe Photoshop using a Cintiq monitor. His greatest influences are Angus McBride, Don Troiani, and Edouard Detaille. His interests include karate, running, Bible reading, history, and making English longbows.
Introduction
Elite units - armour: tank and mechanized units of 'Centauro', 'Ariete' &
'Littorio' divisions, and 'Trento' and 'Trieste' motorized divisions -
scout groups, armoured scout units
Paratroopers: experimental units - 'Folgore' and 'Nemdo' divisions
Assault engineers: 31st and 32nd 'Guastatori' battalions
Special Units: 'Monte Cervino' ski battalions - X Arditi regiment:
paratrooper, swimmer and LRRP companies - 'Red Arrows' Group: Arab, Indian
turncoat, and Italian assault volunteer battalions
Fascist 'Mussolini' units: sea-landing battalions, tank units
