References on Italians in the SCW?

[WuZhuiQiu]

Hi, the various Ospreys on the Italian army tend to start with WW 2, and seem to lack background information on the late 1930s. Are there any comparable starter references on the Italians in the SCW from other sources?

Thanks!

[Arlequín]

I don't think there are many in English, which is a real shame as the Italians reorganised from 1937, which means the few WW2 sources aren't much help either. Starter references not so much either... if you're looking for organisational details, picking through the resources of Comando Supremo will probably be helpful.

The only English book I'm aware of is; Italian intervention in the Spanish Civil War by John Coverdale (1976), I've never seen a copy about, just know it exists somewhere.

There's also; Iron Arm: The Mechanization of Mussolini's Army, 1920-1940 by John Joseph Timothy Sweet (Stackpole Military History), which might be of help, although not specifically on the CTV.

In Spanish there is El regreso de las legiones: La ayuda militar italiana a la España nacional, 1936-1939, by José Luis de Mesa (1994). I don't own it, so I can't comment on its usefulness.

Likewise with the Italian; La partecipazione Italiana alla guerra civile Spagnola (1936-1939), by Alberto Rovighi and Filippo Stefani (3 volumes).

[ts]

The Italians - of course - have a huge literature on the subject.
Take a look at
http://www.vaccari.it/editoria/1x1/libreriastorica.php?_c=R1VFUlJBIENJVklMRSBTUEFHTk9MQQ==
Their internet shop works fine.

[WuZhuiQiu]

Thanks, both! Fortunately, I should be able to understand Spanish sources and get the gist of Italian ones.

What about references on uniforms and equipment?

Also, do any manufacturers produce suitable Italian figures for the SCW, whether in 15mm (18mm?) or 28mm size?

Thanks again.

[Wilkins]

Empress Miniatures do CTV in 28mm. Very nice figures indeed (not that I used mine as Italians...)

[Paul @ Empress Miniatures]

Hi,

If you check the links below they should take you to some Italian figures.

http://www.empressminiatures.com/userimages/procart28.htm

http://www.empressminiatures.com/userimages/procart35.htm

[pierrebi]

If you check the links below they should take you to some Italian figures.

http://www.empressminiatures.com/userimages/procart29.htm

Apart a few anti-fascists foreigners who were already in Spain at the outbreak of war (like Italians Fernando De Rosa and Vittorio Vidali), the first foreign volunteers arrived in July 1936, crossing the Catalan border illegally. were Italian anarchists in France exile and French anarchists willing to fight for the international revolution with the Spanish brothers.

An other military column of international volunteers was entirely Italian. It was formed August 17 1936 on the northern front of Aragon within the Ascaso Column. This was the so-called "Italian column" or "Rosselli clumn", formed by Carlo Rosselli and Mario Angeloni. Composed of anarchists led by Camillo Berneri, the column had a libertarian orientation close to the positions of Giustizia & Libertà (the Italian Party "Justice and Freedom") and included Communists, socialists and anti-fascists liberals. About 3.500 Italians fought in the SCW


... also about 60.000 italian fascist of the CTV were sent from Italy by Benito Mussolini to support the Spanish Nationalists.

[Arlequín]

A good point, well put. 

[pierrebi]

A good point, well put.  

[cdr]

people from ANPI are good folk. I've spent some time with them last year on a train to Krakow/Auschwitz

Carl

[Durutti]

It all really depends on exactly what info you are after,
 Try a search for Corpo Truppe Volontarie , or C.T.V , and you should hopefully get some links to suitable sites, you could always add the word Spagnola, or Guerra Civil Espanola to the search as well, this of course is for the Nationalist side

For the Republicans, try Garibaldi Battalion, I think they were part of the XII International Brigade.

Also search under the Guadalajara battle as well, as both sides had Italian troops fighting in this battle.

Keep you eyes on the Perry Miniatures ranges, as they were showing off some italian WW2 dolies, that would certainly serve for post 1937 CTV.
Remember that the CTV also included Spanish infantry, so you could include those figures as well.