Eritrean Askaris 1941 v 1936?

[Happy Wanderer]

Gents,

I'm looking to add some Eritrean Askaris to my WW2 Italian force. I plan on using this force throughout the North African campaign and in Abyssinia/Ethiopia and wonder about the possible double duty of Abyssinian War Askaris in the later period.

I wonder if I can pick the brains of anyone here with a couple of questions;

1. Are the Empress Eritrean Askaris essentially the same uniforms that the Italian's Askaris would use in 1941?

2. Were any Eritrean Askaris used by the Italians in the North African army i.e. not in East Africa


pic from "Over Open Sights" blogspot

Any comments much appreciated.


Regards

Happy W

[Arthur]

I'm no expert on the subject but the Osprey book on WW2 Italian forces in Africa states that the uniforms had changed very little since 1936, the only significant difference being the gradual replacement of the distinctive red tabusc by the less glamourous bustina cap, much to the chagrin of the askaris who apparently tried to hold on to their tabuscs as much as they could. I see no reason why the Empress askaris could not be used for the 1941 campaign, especially since the chaotic state of Italian logistics in Eritrea and the isolated nature of the East African theater of operations meant that old stocks of uniforms and equipment continued to be used for want of new supplies. 

Off the cuff, I don't think the Eritreans saw action in Lybia as the Italians had distinct native divisions of Lybian askaris there, but more knowledgeable people may prove me wrong on that.     

[Happy Wanderer]

Arthur,

Thanks for that. Sound logic and kind of where I was heading with it....

...all falling into the realms of plausibility. Italian Askaris certainly add a colonial-esque feel to the East African campaign.

Thanks.

Happy W

[Terrible Tim]

Nice minis.

[Denouement]

Look great, especially the flesh tones. 

Stuart.

[lou passejaire]

i searched since your first post and find no evidence of erytrean askaris in Lybia .

It seem's that the fanatics erytrean askaris fought their last battles in the rank of the italian guerilla in ethiopia , from 1941 to 1943 .

So if you want askaris for Lybia, you have to do with Askari miniatures ones

[Happy Wanderer]

Thanks Lou,

The Empress Italian Askari's will do the job for East African actions...just too nice not to have! I have a good many Italians in Libya already  

Cheers

Happy W

[Arthur]

The vast majority of Italian colonial forces in Eritrea surrendered in 1941 and were taken captive by the allies, so I don't believe any of them escaped into Libya through the Sudan. As far as I know, the few units which did not surrender remained in the Eritrea/Somalia/Ethiopia area and fought a guerrilla war against the British until 1943.