TM E 30-420 Handbook on the Italian Military Forces

Difficulties of terminology and pronunciation 4 1. Purpose. — The purpose of this handbook is to give United States military personnel a better understanding of the principal characteristics of the Italian Army.

2. Scope and limitations. — No attempt has been made to give complete details of any subject discussed in this handbook, a balanced, general picture of the Italian Army being considered of paramount importance. More detailed information regarding individual units, campaign, and commanders is provided in a special study of the Order of Battle of the Italian Army. On the other hand, Fascist as well as military elements are set forth. The effects of 20 years of Fascist organization of the social, industrial, and economic structure of Italy cannot be expected to disappear at once with the dissolution of the Party. A considerable part of the Italian armed forces bears the stamp of Fascist education and training. It is therefore imperative, regardless of recent events, that the Fascist Militia and its component services, which for so long have dominated the life of the Italian people, be given an integral place in the text.

3. Inclusion of Air Force. — A discussion of the Italian Air Force is included in this handbook, for no adequate idea of a modern Army can be given without recognizing the close cooperation of all arms. The Italian Air Force must therefore be considered an integral part of a single military organization.

4. Difficulties of terminology and pronunciation. — a. Terminology, — On its first (and sometimes later) use, any im- portant Italian term or name is usually followed in the text by the English equivalent in parentheses. Likewise, in cases where the Italian equivalents might be helpful, they are also given in the same manner. Certain Italian terms and names, such as raggrupponnenti celere Bersdglieriy and Alpini which are in common use in their Italian forms, are generally used in this form throughout the handbook. There is often no exact English or American equivalent, as, for instance, for the ranks of mdresciallL In these cases translations are sometimes given, but not used throughout the text, as they would be more misleading than Helpful.

6, Prommciation. — The following general principal of pronunciation will serve as a rough guide for those Italian sounds that vary from the English:

c before e or i ch as in chin g before e or i j as in et Throughout the text, accent marks are placed on Italian words whenever the accent does not fall on the last syllable but one.

5. Revisions.— All errors or suggested changes and additions to this handbook should be reported to the Dissemination Unit, Military Intelligence Service, War Department, Washington, D. C.

FKjURE 1.— Map of Italy, showing principal cities.

Figure 2. — Map of Italy, showing regions.

Section I. Distinctive branches, or specialties 6-11 II. Semimilitary forces 12-19 San Marco Marine Regiment 11 6. General. — The Italian Army contains certain distinctive branches, or specialities specidlita) an understanding of which is essential to an accurate conception of the organization as a whole.

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