Dal Nembo al Folgore. I paracadutisti della RSI come risultano dagli archivi militari italiani e tedeschi

Abstract

The article deals with the events of the parachute units of the Social Republic, derived from a battalion of the Nembo parachute Division which after the armistice of 8 September had sided with the Germans. Reinforced with elements taken from the depot where the third Ciclone parachute division was being formed and by other disbanded units of daring saboteurs of the Royal Army (10° Reggimento Ardti) and of the Royal Air Force (Arditi Distruttori della Regia Aeronautica ADRA Bn) the Nembo Bn was immediately sent – without adequate preparation and only for propaganda reasons – on the Anzio-Nettuno where it suffered heavy losses. Next the Nembo survivors were merged with a republican Air Force volunteer unit (the Azzurro (Sky-blue) Battalion) to form the Folgore Regiment, that will fight in Lazio against Allied troops and in Northern Italy against the Partisans and the French Alpine Corps, which finally surrendered in Val d’Aosta in May 1945. Archival records show that even though some form of distrust remains, paratroopers were among the few Italian drafts who the Germans allow to fight on the frontline after 1943, obtaining in some cases their appreciation.