30 April 1941, the all-Italian pioneering feat: the first wartime jump by our paratroopers
"Fatherland calls, Paratroopers answer present".. With these unwritten words, but engraved in the heart of every Parachutist, one of the most extraordinary - and too often forgotten - operations in Italian military history takes shape: the first war drop of the Italian Paratroopershappened exactly 84 years ago, the 30 April 1941on the Greek island of Cephalonia.
A daring operation that would have led in a few hours to theoccupation of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Ithacareinforcing the Italian presence in the Ionian Sea and opening a new era for the fledgling speciality. An event that time has sometimes ignored or belittled, but for those who preserve the memory it remains a symbol of bravery, inter-force organisation and absolute military valourin a pioneering era for the speciality of Parachutists.
The historical context and the urgency of action
The 10 June 1940Italy formally entered the war, beginning its participation in the Second World War. From the outset, Italian forces were engaged on several fronts: in East and North Africaand on the Alps against France.
The 29 April 1941armistice with Greece is signed, but the geopolitical situation requires rapid action to prevent total control of the area from falling into German hands. The previous day, five Cant Z.506 seaplanes under the orders of Colonel Grande had transported an Italian department to Corfuwhere a Greek regiment had surrendered. Shortly afterwards, the I Battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment of the 'Acqui' Division landed on the island, consolidating the occupation.
However, one question remained open: Cephalonia. At that time, according to international practice, territories belong to those who occupy them militarily. It was therefore crucial to move quickly to ensure an Italian presence on the islandstrategically crucial.
The choice fell on one of the youngest but most promising specialities of the Royal Army: the Paratroopers. The Italian state had invested heavily in the training of these elite troops, and now it was time to put them to the test in a real theatre of war.
I Balkans represent a crucial strategic nodeChecking this area means dominate access to the Corinth Canalinfluence maritime routes to the eastern Mediterranean and protect the southern flank of the Axis. With this in mind, Kefalonia assumes primary importanceIts conquest, in addition to securing a favourable tactical position, would have demonstrated the readiness and effectiveness of the newly formed Italian air forcesin what will be the first inter-force operation in national military history, jointly between Air Force, Navy and Army.
The race against time
According to the minutes kept in the General Staff Archives, the operation is planned in very few days, between 25 and 27 April. On the evening of 28 April, while the Parachutists of the 2nd Battalion are hanging out in the bars of Civitavecchia, an urgent order calls them back to the barracks. The Major Mario Zanninovichcommander of the 2nd Battalion (later merged into the 187th Regiment of Division Folgore), is urgently summoned to the Piave Barrackswhere he finds the General FrattiniThe battalion is destined for the first war launch in Italian history. It is the beginning of a race against time.
The 29 April, the Piave Barracks of Civitavecchia turns into a real operational hive. Weapons, ammunition, food, IFSP 41 SP parachutes and other material arrive from the nearby Tarquinia Parachute School and are quickly prepared for the upcoming operation. The paratroopers are equipped with the 91 musket equipped with folding bayonet, i MAB 38 for team commanders, and the machine gun Breda 30 as a departmental weapon.
The selected companies are Fifthunder the command of the Captain Avogadro, and the Sixthcommanded by the Captain Macchiato. A midnight 29 April, the battalion leaves the station of Civitavecchia directed towards Lecce.
Only during the train journey do the parachutists receive the definitive information: the target is Kefalonia.
Arriving at the airport of Galatinawaiting for them are three Savoy-Marchetti SM-82 (initially six were planned). For this reason it was decided that it would be the Fifth Company to make the launch, while the Sixth will remain in the background. In a hurry, the aircraft are adapted and optimised for aviation: the restraining rope is shortened from 5 to 3 metresand proceed with a test launch.
Upon embarkation, it is handed over to the Major Zanninovich a flag of the Kingdom of Italyentrusted to him by the Colonel Baudoin - pilot, parachutist, and considered the spiritual father of the young paratroopers he had personally trained in Tarquinia. That flag will be hoisted on the Prefecture of Argostoli after the conquest of the island.
For Baudoin, it is an emotionally charged moment: finally 'his' boys are used for what they had trained so hard for in Tarquinia - a real war operation with airdrop.
30 April, 12:30 p.m.: history takes off
Three SM-82 take off from Galatina escorted by bombers Cant Z1007 e Macchi M.C.202 fighters. On board, 72 parachutists ready to enter the legend. After an hour's flight, they reach the Krameta' Launch Zonenear Argostoli. The roar of the planes dominates the silence of the island. When the green light comes on, officers launch first. It is the parachutist tradition: the example comes from the highest ranks. The altitude is low, around 300 metres, the wind and speed strong, but nothing can stop them. The desire to be protagonists in such a long-awaited moment overcomes any difficulty.
The sky fills with white domes. I Italian parachutists land. Some between olive trees and dry stone walls, immediately gathering in platoons and proceeding to take up positions on the hills.
The Greek surrender and the reclamation of the city centre
The Greek gendarmestaken by surprise by the arrival of the ItaliansThey immediately surrendered without resistance. They reached the settlement, parachutists they saw waving white flags as a sign of surrender. They then proceeded to the reclamation of the urban area, checking house to housewith particular attention to buildings with closed doors or shutters. During operations they commandeered a buses to facilitate movement in the town centre. Having completed the reclamation, they headed towards the Prefecture of Argostoliwhere they were reunited with the Italian departments landed by sea in the bay.
The Tricolour flies over Kefalonia
Around 14:30, five Cant Z506 seaplanes docked in front of the port, carrying personnel from the Regia Marinaof the Royal Air Force and the Black Shirts. It was about the occupation completion forces. Among them were officers of the Bari Army Corps and the Consul Giovanni Battista Cagnoni, in charge of formalising the city's surrender. In the meantime, parachutists they headed towards the Prefecture of Argostoliwhere they were reunited with the Italian departments landed by sea. With departments deployed in the square adjacent to the prefecture, the Italian Tricolourdelivered by the Colonel Baudoin at Major Mario Zanninovich during embarkation in Galatina.
A mission of war, but also of humanity
I Italian parachutistsonce positions have been consolidated, quickly occupied strategic points on the islandthe port, the hospitals, the power station, the telegraph station and the prisons. But they soon realised a dramatic reality: the civilian population was exhausteddeprived of essential provisions and medicines. By order of the Italian officerswere carried out. aviation-humanitarian supplieswith launches of flour, rice and sanitary materialintended exclusively for the support of the local population. In addition, a priest to celebrate the Holy Mass and offer spiritual comfort to the local Christian community.
The next day, aliquots of Italian military personnel moved by sea to the islands of Zakynthos and Ithacathus completing the control of the entire Ionian archipelago.
The Major Verandoalso launched in Cephalonia and destined to become Chief of Staff of the 'Folgore' Divisiondrafted a detailed report which represents the first doctrinal core for the development of future Italian Air Force. It analysed fundamental aspects such as the exit times, the length of the restraining rope, the launch quota, the wind management, the material transported, the inter-force coordination and more.
Of course, much remained to be perfected - as is natural in apioneering military action - but it was from that experience that the operational birth of the Italian paratrooper specialitywhile revealing how lethal and effective they could be in action. A bold and decisive first step towards excellence.
A lesson for Italy and the world
The operation on Kefalonia demonstrates speed, precision and ductility of paratroopers. In less than three days, a battalion is alerted, equipped, transferred and successfully dropped into hostile territory. A pioneering feat that set the standard and that today is foundation of excellence of the Folgore at ariborne community.
Today, 30 Aprilthe Paratroopers of the 187th Regiment 'Folgore'framing the glorious 2nd Battalion 'Tarquinia', honour this date each yearremembering the faces and names of those who, wearing throwing boots and blue insignia with gladius and wing, wrote a luminous page of Italian military and air force history.
Honour to the Paratroopers of Cephalonia!
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
