{"product_id":"italian-army-blackshirts","title":"Italian Army \u0026 Blackshirts","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eMussolini boasted that the Italian army had eight million bayonets ready to fight. In reality, the standing Italian army was far smaller than this figure, and a large number of conscripts were drafted into a war they neither believed in nor understood. The fighting capabilities of Italian army units varied greatly, with many troops lacking proper equipment, transport, and even motivation. Despite this, they acquitted themselves bravely in several important battles in North Africa and on the Eastern Front.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eInitially, the standard rifle was the Carcano Model 1891, as used in World War One. In 1941, a shortened version was introduced (M91\/41), which, along with the M38 carbine, was intended to replace the M1891 – the shorter barrels being much more practical for infantry to carry and manoeuvre. These latter two weapons are represented on the sprue. Also represented is the M91\/38 Cavalry Carbine, generally equipped with a fixed rear sight (set for 200 metres) and a folding bayonet. The excellent 9mm Beretta M38 was the standard sub-machine gun. The Italian light machine gun – the Breda Model 1930 – suffered from a slow rate of fire, the same small calibre ammunition as the troops’ rifles, and a mechanism prone to jamming and breakage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eCamicie Nere (Blackshirts) Militia\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eThe MVSN or Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (Voluntary Militia for National Security) was made into a paramilitary organisation by the Fascist Party, with a similar concept to the German SS. The MVSN’s rank and organisational terminology drew heavily from that of ancient Rome, with Legions, Centuries, Cohorts, Maniples, etc. Primarily, the Camicie Nere were responsible for territorial security and anti-partisan duties. During wartime, Camicie Nere were organised into “Assault Legions” that operated alongside the regular army’s infantry divisions to reinforce them and to ‘politicise’ the Regio Esercito.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eThe quality of these militia units varied widely, ranging from barely trained village bullies to veterans of the Spanish Civil War and highly motivated “Giovani Fascisti” (Young Fascists).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eThe Sprue\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eItalian uniforms changed several times during the war, and so the pattern was chosen that could best represent a variety of troops at various times during the war and in different theatres of operation. At 28mm scale, they are ideal for representing M37 or M40 tunics. For added variety, the Camiciotto Sahariana pullover jacket is also included.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eWeaponry includes the M91\/41 rifle, M91\/38 Carcano Cavalry Carbine, M38A Beretta SMG, M38 Carcano Carbine, M1934 9mm Beretta pistol, and the Breda M30 LMG.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eA large selection of headgear for both the Italian Army and Blackshirts are included – M33 steel helmets, Bustina cap, M1935 tropical helmet, Blackshirt soft fez \u0026amp; Blackshirt hard fez.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eNot only that, but the sprue includes loads of optional extras such as two types of gas mask bags, goggles, bayonets, fighting knives, etc!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003eBox contains 30 highly customisable plastic Italian infantrymen, with decal sheet and building instructions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe models are made of plastic, are unpainted and must be assembled. Bases are included.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Warlord Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57818146079051,"sku":"402015801","price":37.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1058\/4434\/3115\/files\/068jpg-1813223.jpg?v=1783986060","url":"https:\/\/taschengelddieb.de\/en\/products\/italian-army-blackshirts","provider":"Taschengelddieb","version":"1.0","type":"link"}