The vast material, fuel, and air advantage he held were about to be brought to bear against Rommel’s entrenched defenders. In the summer of 1942, during the Second World War, a group of young paratroopers from the Folgore Division, after having been subjected to a long and tiring training in Italy, was transported by air to the Libyan desert to cover the Italian-German front. On 6 November, after having exhausted all its ammunition, the remainder of the Division surrendered. The goal of operation Brandung was for the forces of the Italian-German Panzerarmee Afrika to outflank and then engage the British 8th Army, now under the commanded of General Bernard Montgomery. 6th Parachutists Artillery Battery (47/32 mod.35). However, their performance, bravery, and courage have ensured that their legend is now immortal. General Frattini replied with a simple “Thank you” for what more could be said. The main Allied effort during the battle was in the northern part of the Axis line. 14th Parachutists Rifle Company With the British Desert Air Force pounding his troops from above and his supply situation critical, Rommel called for a general retreat to prepare his defensive line for the inevitable British counter. As was heavier firepower in the form of attached Italian 75mm and 88mm guns. The Battle of El Alamein's significance was great. ... the old âFolgoreâ had been completely destroyed in Africa). Soon this reputation would be put to the test, as Montgomery’s southpaw hook delivered during the opening phase of Second Alamein headed towards the 14k stretch of line manned by the Folgore. USC Title 17. HQ Company The Second Battle of El Alamein lasted from 23 October 1942 to 11 November 1942. On Amazon: Pendulum of War: Three Battles at El Alamein It was part of the Western Desert Campaign of World War 2 was fought between the British Eighth Army led by General Claude Auchinleck and the Axis forces consisting of German and Italian units of Panzerarmee Afrika (Panzer Army Africa) led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. The decision to retreat condemned many Italians to capture by Montgomery’s pursuing Eighth Army. In spite of the overwhelming numbers, the British made little headway against them, and in the end, the Folgore was ordered to fall back because the enemy obtained a breakthrough elsewhere. The 186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore" (Italian: 186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore") is an active unit of the Italian Army based in Siena in Tuscany.The regiment is part of the army's infantry corps' Paracadutisti speciality and operationally assigned to the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore". 16th Parachutists Rifle Company 20th Supply section 4 4 44. The Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" is an airborne brigade of the Italian Army. The Italian Folgore would hold its ground and proved victorious, with the attackers only able to gain a minimal amount of ground. Regimental Guns Company (47/32 mod.35), 2nd Parachutist Infantry Battalion, with: To avoid confusion, the battalion-sized artillery units have been called “battalion,” and the composite group as “group.”. 4th Parachutists Rifle Company Fra le sabbie non più deserte In the course of the Second Battle of El Alamein the division was almost completely destroyed. 25 October October The advance had gained far too little ground in comparison to the number of casualties stretched out on the desert floor before the Italian positions. Despite their preparations, the German Panzers were again unable to break through. While scouting, he mistakenly drove his vehicle into the midst of a group of Folgore soldiers. 28th Parachutists Rifle Company 17th Parachutists Rifle Company The 185th artillery found itself dispersed among all the Tactical Groups. This time they were opposed by the British 131st Infantry Brigade, which boasted heavy artillery and a contingent of tanks supplied by the Scots Greys, attached to them to provide support against the Folgore. 5th Parachutists Rifle Company They therefore attempting a retreat on foot through the desert with only limited supplies, water, and ammo. Dal 12 ottobre la brigata Folgore è nel Paese dei Cedri con la responsabilità del settore ovest della missione Unifil a Shama, per lâoperazione Leonte. General Hughes’ men had suffered a high number of casualties against the Folgore, and the Allied General had been more than impressed with the resilience and skill of his adversary. “Camosso” Tactical Group (9th and 10th Battalions) They forced the attackers to move slowly and to stick to the bottlenecks of the cleared pathways, often under observed artillery fire. 20th Parachutists Rifle Company The Italians had routed the French forces, and their British counterparts from the 44th Division fared little better. It is an everlasting tribute to perhaps Italy’s finest soldiers of the Second World War. For the Italian Cold War mechanized division, see, Playfair I.S.O. The Allies retreated to their start line after suffering a high number of casualties during this encounter. They also used their 47mm Anti-tank guns from enfilade positions and Molotov cocktails to knock out the advancing tanks. Corporal Major Antonio ANDRIOLO, 186th Paratrooper⦠Diverting to the shadow of Alam el Halfa, Montgomery ‘sprung the trap’ that waited patiently for them. Visualizza altre idee su Guerra mondiale, Seconda guerra mondiale, Esercito. 4th Battalion/26th Artillery Regiment “Rubicone” (100/17 mod.16 – from the “Pavia” Division) accogli gli spiriti di questi ragazzi in quell’angolo di cielo By 1942, the V, VI and VII Paratroopers Battalions formed the 2nd Paratroopers Regiment, the 9th, 10th and 11th Battalions formed the 3rd Paratroopers Regiment; at the same time, Regimental Cannons Company were combined into the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Paratrooper Artillery Groups, which in turn formed the Paratrooper Artillery Regiment.[4]. welcome the ghosts of these boys in that corner of heaven 21st Battalion/132nd Artillery Regiment “Ariete” (88/55 FlaK 37 – from the “Ariete” Division) [2], The 2-months[2] Instructors course began in March 1940. 23rd “ Guastatori” Parachutist Company FOLGORE: ITALIAN PARATROOPERS AT EL-ALAMEIN. 27th Parachutists Rifle Company, 10th Parachutist Infantry Battalion, with: Using Ultra intercepts that forewarned the upcoming Axis operation, Montgomery prepared a new defensive alignment to support his change in the 8th Army’s philosophy on the use of its armor. fior fiore di un popolo e di un Esercito in armi. A Net Inceptions project. They joined the newly formed 285th Parachutist Battalion Folgore and continued the struggle for their beloved Italy. The British committed a sizable force to battle, including the Green Howards Rgt., 4/8th Hussars Btn., and the Royal West Kent, to break through the Italian defense to engage the German positions behind the initial Folgore sector. “One hundred Folgore parachutists” – The cost in blood at El Alamein was steep for the Folgore. Variation exists due to sources and classifications. During World War II in the years 1941-1942, there was established in Tarquinia, Italy an elite military paratrooper school known as the Folgore division, who later became notorious for the heroic valor in the battle of El Alamein. Images, videos and other multimedia published on comandosupremo.com qualifies as Fair Use under U.S. copyright law. The surviving troops had collectively expended almost every piece of ammunition they had possessed to hold the British at bay. To put this philosophy into practice, Montgomery had cleverly left a ‘gap’ in the southern sector of the front designed to funnel Rommel’s attacking forces into his ‘trap,’ a substantial grouping of British tanks and artillery near Alam el Halfa ridge. 1st Parachutists Artillery Battery (47/32 mod.35) 11th Parachutists Rifle Company The Italian army did have both Engineers “Guastatori” units and Infantry “Guastatori” units, sharing much of the same training. In the northern section of the Axis line, Allied troops began to break through and exploit their earlier gains as the Allied offensive unfolded. (PL), 2nd Cavalry Division Emanuele Filiberto Testa di Ferro, 21st Infantry Division Granatieri di Sardegna, 22nd Infantry Division Cacciatori delle Alpi, 40th Infantry Division Cacciatori d'Africa, 65th Infantry Division Granatieri di Savoia, 80th Infantry Division La Spezia (Airlanding), https://military.wikia.org/wiki/185th_Paratroopers_Division_Folgore?oldid=4657006. by Michele Armellini. The 8th formed its position just south of El Alamein, and it would be here that they would face Rommel’s weakened, but still dangerous force, in the next round of their epic encounter. You reserve for the martyrs and Heroes. The main focus for the Allied assault on the southern part of the Axis line during the Lightfoot operation sought the supposedly “weak” Italian-held areas. © 2000-2019 Comando Supremo. My Grandfather served in the American army (though not deployed) during WWI. The main British effort, of course, was in the northern part of the line of the "Battle of El Alamein". While the bravery of the Folgore at El Alamein has often received praise and admiration, its soldiers’ skill level is often overlooked. Shortly after this engagement, a Folgore patrol captured Brigadier General G.H. With Fausto Tozzi, Ettore Manni, Monica Clay, Aldo Bufi Landi. My Bren gun was set on single shot, and I fired from the hip well ahead of him. 18th Parachutists Rifle Company, 7th Parachutist Infantry Battalion, with: Small initial gains by the attackers against isolated ‘outposts’ led them eventually straight into Italian strong points. The 187th Regiment handled the northern sector on the far left of the Italian position, which butted up against the line held by the German Ramcke Fallschirmjager Brigade. On Amazon: The Battle of Alamein: Turning Point, World War II. 185th Paratroopers Division Folgore or 185ª Divisione Paracadutisti Folgore was a Parachute Division of the Italian Army (in Italian Regio Esercito) during World War II. The 186th Regiment held the southern sector, flanked on the right by the Italian Pavia Division. The first step, known as Operation Lightfoot, initiated with an artillery bombardment, the like of which that had never before seen during the entire North African Campaign. Folgore paratroopers looking out for tanks at El Alamein, 1942. During the Second battle of El Alamein, it resisted the attack of six British divisions, thus provoking the respect and admiration of the British. The first Battle of El Alamein occurred between July 1-27, 1942. This book explores their changing role in organisation, training and doctrine as the paratroopers developed into ⦠Fallen for an ideal, without regrets, honored even in the memories of their enemies, We don't know about any in-box reviews for this Feldwebel, Fallschirmjäger- Brigade Ramcke. Posted by 2 years ago. When news reached Montgomery on the outcome of the encounter, he became angered that his forces had been ‘thrashed’ by Italians, which he undoubtedly found unacceptable. Montgomery was not yet done with his offensive. Provisional Battalion/ 155th Artillery Regiment (8,8cm Flak 37, 10cm K18 and 21cm K38 – from the Geman 21st Panzerdivision). Related Posts : army, division, folgore, italian, paratrooper, ramcke Here the minefields North, central and south possessed, from grenades to improvised Molotov to! All of their anti-tank guns from enfilade positions and Molotov cocktails Axis side, numbers are uncertain... Level is often overlooked shadow of Alam El Halfa, Montgomery began his much Allied. Tactical group âEl Alameinâ composed by two Cp skilled soldiers of the `` Battle El. Praise of the Italian lines and 88mm guns Manni, Monica Clay, Aldo Bufi Landi at El. 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