Italy was the first country in the world to experiment with elite military units, pioneering innovative assault tactics and means, both by land with the Arditiboth by sea with the daring MAS flotillas of the Regia Marina. Since their origins, these units have embodied courage and the ability to anticipate new modes of operation, creating a tradition that would inspired by modern Special Forces from all over the world.
L'roman army employed special units, such as the Exploratores and the Speculatores, for scouting and reconnaissance missions. They were highly trained soldiers for advanced operations, similar to those of modern reconnaissance forces. However, to find formations that used a strategic footprint oriented towards daring and surprise, we must arrive at the beginning of the 20th century with the Arditi.
An all-Italian story that will trace a path destined to transform forever the way of dealing with conflicts, with a modus operandi aimed at consciously opening up asymmetric scenarios e unconventional fighting techniques.
All’inizio del Novecento, il mondo militare sentiva la necessità di innovare le tattiche d’assalto per far fronte a una guerra moderna e sempre più complessa. Le prime forze speciali italiane, nacquero ufficialmente nel 1917, nel pieno della Prima Guerra Mondiale, come unità d’assalto del Regio Esercito.
These units, specially formed for actions to break through enemy lines, represented a strategic novelty: they were not simple infantrymen, but elite soldiers, characterised by specific training and light equipment that made them extremely mobile and suitable for hand-to-hand combat.
They were the legendary Arditi, specialità dell’arma di fanteria del Regio Esercito, costituita in autonomi reparti d’assalto. La loro natura “asimmetrica” consentiva di influenzare le battaglie attraverso interventi mirati e spesso invisibili, sfruttando discrezione e superiorità addestrativa al posto della forza convenzionale.
The Arditis were trained to penetrate enemy lines and carry out acts of sabotage with great speed and coordination, using surprise as the main element of their raids. Equipped with daggers, firecrackers and light machine guns, these soldiers were considered the elite of the army and were employed in extremely risky operations, often with very high casualties. Unlike traditional infantry units, their tasks were not limited to conquering positions but aimed at inflicting significant damage and destabilising enemy forces, thus contributing to the advancement of the Italian lines.
Their first training centre was in Sdricca of Manzanonear Udine, where they were trained in hand-to-hand combat and rapid assault techniques. Intensive training was held here to prepare them not only physically but also psychologically for missions that required absolute courage and determination.
In parallel, the Regia Marina also developed raiding units, the so-called maritime raiding groups, consisting of specialists in underwater attacks and sabotage. These men used light vessels, such as the MAS (Silent Armed Motorboats) and the so-called 'pigs,' modified torpedoes piloted by trained operators, for attacks at sea against enemy naval units. Their actions were characterised by uncommon audacity, as they required getting dangerously close to targets and performing missions in total isolation.
The maritime incursors included famous episodes involving brave men and innovative means, marking the debut of the first underwater assault missions in Italian history. Thanks to these actions, the Regia Marina's incursors laid the foundations for future Italian naval special forces units.
Even before the official birth of the Arditi, there were attempts to develop special units within the Royal Army. In 1914, for example, Explorer Groups were formed, soldiers trained to act behind enemy lines and sabotage defences, dressed entirely in black to aid camouflage. These precursors were deployed for exploratory missions, such as cutting through enemy fences.
Another anticipation of the Arditi were the so-called Companies of Death, formate da pattuglie speciali di fanteria e del genio. Questi soldati erano equipaggiati con corazze e caschi, spesso del tipo “Farina”, e addestrati per missioni di taglio dei reticolati e brillamento.
In 1916, the Supreme Command stipulated that the title of 'daring soldier' was to be awarded to those who distinguished themselves through courage and determination, but with the explicit prohibition to create specialinactive units assigned was the royal monogram 'VE', to be worn on the left arm, conceived as a sign of honour and symbol of example for other soldiers. However, this sign was the genesis of the term 'Ardito' in the collective imagination.
The birth of the Arditi, therefore, was not an isolated event but the result of a progressive evolution of tactics and operational requirements.
l primo impiego dei “plotoni speciali” risale all’August 1916during the Battle of Gorizia, negli scontri tra la Brigata Lambro e l’esercito austro-ungarico presso quota 188 e il Dosso del Bosniaco. Tuttavia, a causa dell’imprecisione dei rapporti ufficiali e delle difficoltà del terreno – caratterizzato da reticolati e pesantemente battuto dall’artiglieria austriaca – risulta impossibile determinare con esattezza l’efficacia di questi reparti sull’esito della battaglia. Si suppone comunque che siano stati impiegati come unità di rottura presso le posizioni citate e come reparti esploranti una volta superata Gorizia.
Altre azioni significative di questi plotoni si verificarono l’11 February 1917when two platoons recaptured the trench of the salient of House of Pineslost two days earlier by the 206th Battalion of the Lambro Brigade, and the 26 Februarywhen a platoon broke into a trench near Belpoggiomanaging to win her over.
In 1917, following the proposals and studies of some generals aware of the need to overcome the traditional strategy of the frontal assault supported by artillery and of some young officers dissatisfied with the useless stasis and massacre of trench warfare, aspecial unit at the 48th Division of the VIII Army Corps. This unit was commanded by Major Giuseppe Bassisupported by the Sergeant Giuseppe Longoni.
Bassi redasse una nota innovativa sull’impiego delle Fiat Mod. 15 / OVP machine guns (Officine Villar Perosa)He proposed technical improvements such as the removal of the shield, the introduction of a lightweight bipod and the adoption of a guide to facilitate magazine changes in the dark and under battle conditions. His proposal also included a new employment doctrine, which optimised the machine gun sections and specified unit-specific equipment, including the use of daggers and firecrackers alongside muskets and revolversto accentuate the aggressiveness of the troops.
Forwarded to the General Gaetano Giardino in November 1916, the note met with his approval; Giardino, however, forwarded it to the General Grazioli for a higher-ranking opinion. Grazioli, commander of the Lambro Brigadeprobably adapted the new notes to his earlier thoughts on special platoons, and the 7 March 1917 emise una direttiva ai comandanti di reggimento per la creazione di reparti d’attacco specializzati in incursioni a sorpresa, colpi di mano, contrattacchi improvvisi e altre operazioni al di fuori delle competenze della fanteria convenzionale.
14 March 1917, the Italian Supreme Command became aware of the creation of special units in the Austro-Hungarian army, whereas the German army had already adopted the concept of elite troops, the Stoßtruppenon average better trained than normal departments. However, the Arditi italiani non furono una semplice imitazione delle truppe d’assalto tedesche e austriache; Unlike their German counterparts, the Arditi formed true autonomous units, without limiting themselves to the role of supporting the infantry.. Gli esperimenti del Regio Esercito in questa direzione precedettero l’informazione sulle unità tedesche e servirono principalmente ad accelerare il progetto di istituzione delle unità speciali italiane.
After attending an exercise led by Bassi, the General Cadorna gave the go-ahead for the establishment of the Arditi, issuing a circular to set up special departments according to precise guidelines. On 29 July 1917, King Victor Emmanuel III formalised the creation of the Assault Units.
Thanks to this innovative approach, the Arditis were successfully deployed during battles on the Italian front, becoming known for their courage and ability to penetrate deep into enemy lines.
The new Units received their Baptism of Fire during the Eleventh Battaglia dell’Isonzo nell’agosto del 1917, quando vennero impiegati per sfondare le posizioni austro-ungariche sull’altopiano della Bainsizza. Questi uomini si distinsero per le azioni audaci e la capacità di infiltrarsi tra le linee nemiche, riuscendo a rompere le difese avversarie e conquistando posizioni strategiche come il Monte San Gabriele.
The Monte San Gabrieleheavily fortified, was the scene of one of the most famous operations. At the dawn of 4 September 1917the Arditis launched themselves to assault the summit, conquering it after an intense battle against an enemy initially unaware of their arrival. With hand grenades and flame throwers, they routed the enemy defences and opened the way for the Italian forces. This success earned them fame and recognition, consolidating the Arditis' role as the army's elite force.
In the late spring of 1918, the impending summer brought with it a new, desperate attempt by the Austro-Hungarian forces to break through the Italian defences on the Grappa massif, attempting to penetrate the Brenta and Piave valleys and thus outflank the Italian line-up running along the course of the Piave. The Austrian plan envisaged a strategic offensive to circumvent Cima Grappa, located in the centre of the massif, aiming to break through on the western and eastern sides of the mountain complex, close to the Brenta and Piave rivers. The attack was entrusted to the 11th Army, commanded by General Scheuschenstuelreinforced by reinforcements and supported by heavy artillery.
At 3 o'clock on 15 June began a violent bombardment, immediately countered by Italian artillery, which succeeded in weakening the Austrian forces on the eastern side. At 8 a.m., the Austrian infantry launched the assault; the greatest successes occurred on the western flank, where the peaks that guarded the Brenta flank gave way one after the other, including the fortified points of the Col Moschin and neighbouring peaks: Col del Miglio, Col Fenilon and Col Fagheron. In poche ore, le difese italiane sul Grappa erano sull’orlo del collasso, lasciando agli austriaci un potenziale accesso alla pianura veneta.
The Austrians, now close to victory, would need to renew the offensive immediately to consolidate their gains. However, their reserves were now almost exhausted and the Italian reaction was not long in coming. Intense artillery fire hit the positions just occupied by the Austro-Hungarians, making it difficult for reinforcements to arrive. The Italian counter-offensive was swift: in the early afternoon, thehe IX Assault Division (just over 600 men), already alerted in anticipation of the attack, recaptured Col Fagheron and, at 10 p.m., also retook Col Fenilon, supported by two battalions of the 91st Infantry Regiment.
The most important position remained: the Col Moschin.
At dawn on 16 June, the IX Assault Division launched a lightning attack and in just ten minutes wrested control of Col Moschin from the Austrians, capturing 300 prisoners, including 17 officers, and 25 machine guns. In just 24 hours, the Austrian offensive had been neutralised. In honour of this victory, the city of Rome erected a monument on the Col Moschin, made from an ancient Roman column.
The 9th Assault Division's success was complete, with relatively low casualties thanks to a manoeuvre conducted under optimal conditions: the enemy, exhausted and exhausted by Italian artillery fire, was decisively hit by a motivated and highly trained unit.
However, a few days later, on 24 June, the IX Department was again sent to recapture an Austrian stronghold on the Asolone. In this case, the preparatory artillery fire was less effective and the recapture of the Asolone cost the IX Corps a very high tribute of blood. The conquest was temporary, as an immediate enemy counterattack managed to overwhelm the exhausted Italian forces. In this action, the IX Reparto lost almost 50% of its men (19 officers and 305 d'arditi), demonstrating that the Italian high command had not yet fully understood how to effectively exploit the extraordinary fighting capabilities of the assault units.
Subsequently, between 24 October and 4 November 1918, the Arditi were among the architects of the breakthrough of the Piave Line which enabled the final victory over the Austro-Hungarian armies.
735 soldiers divided into three companies (about 200 soldiers each):
Each attack or assault team was divided into five to six pairs, with staffing levels similar to those of today's modern special forces detachments (about 12 men).
A historic moment for the Italian special forces, and for military history in general, was the Lieutenant Alessandro Tandurawhich was the world's first parachutist to perform a jump in wartime action. The mission took place in the night between the8 and 9 August 1918. Tandura launched himself from a Savoia-Pomilio SP.4 aircraft from the Italian sky over enemy lines, a feat made possible thanks to the support of pilots William George Barker and William Wedgwood Benn of the Royal Air Force. This action not only represented a pioneering event in the use of paratroopers in military operations but also laid the foundation for the development of airborne units in Italy.
For this gesture, Lieutenant Tandura was decorated at Gold Medal for Military Valour on the following grounds:
Animato dal più ardente amor di patria, si offriva per compiere una missione estremamente rischiosa: da un aeroplano in volo, si faceva lanciare con un paracadute al di là delle linee nemiche nel Veneto invaso, dove, con alacre intelligenza e indomito sprezzo di ogni pericolo, raccoglieva nuclei di Ufficiali e soldati nostri dispersi, e, animandoli con il proprio coraggio e con la propria fede, costituiva con essi un servizio d’informazioni che riuscì di preziosissimo ausilio alle operazioni. Due volte arrestato e due volte sfuggito, dopo tre mesi di audacie leggendarie, integrava l’avveduta e feconda opera sua, ponendosi arditamente alla testa delle sue schiere di ribelli e con esse insorgendo nel movimento cui si delineava la ritirata nemica, ed agevolando così l’avanzata vittoriosa delle nostre truppe. Fulgido esempio di abnegazione, di cosciente coraggio e di generosa intera dedizione di tutto sé stesso alla Patria
Piave – Vittorio Veneto, agosto – ottobre 1918
A few days later, the second launch was also carried out by Pier Arrigo Barnaba, Lieutenant of the Green Flames, the Arditi of the Alpini. He was the first Alpine Parachutist in history.
In the future, parachuting and special forces would be symbiotic terms, united by a common vocation for rapid and incisive action, with each operator at the heart of critical, high-risk missions. In Italy, on 24 March 1938, the parachuting school known as the 'Libya Parachute School Camp' was established at Castel Benito, by decree of Governor Italo Balbo and under the command of Major Goffredo Tonini. On 15 October 1939, the Regia Scuola Paracadutisti dell'Aeronautica (Royal Air Force Parachute School) was founded in Tarquinia, which began training the first Royal Army instructors in June 1940, with the first courses for recruits starting the following month.
The first units were formed in Tarquinia in July 1940: the 1st and 2nd Parachute Infantry Battalions and the 3rd Parachute Carabinier Battalion (later renamed II, III and I). On 30 April 1941, the 2nd Parachute Battalion performed the first airdrop of the war on the island of Cephalonia. In the spring of 1941, the 1st Parachute Regiment was formed, and in the same year the Royal Navy's Parachute Swimmer Company experimented with sea jumping for the first time. Il 1º settembre 1941, venne istituita la 1ª Divisione Paracadutisti, alla quale fu conferito il nome “Folgore” nel giugno 1942which later became the 185ª Divisione Paracadutisti “Folgore.”
Nell’epica battaglia di El-Alamein, i Parachutists of the FolgoreDue in part to their numerical inferiority, they found themselves acting in an asymmetrical scenario, typical of special forces. Thanks to their high level of training, they conducted lightning-fast attacks with improvised bombs against the British forces, thus managing to hold out beyond all optimistic expectations.
In the post-war period, the armed forces of many countries have established parachute units, and the parachutist licence is now a prerequisite for special forces raiders.
Numerous former Arditis actively participated to the Fiuman enterprise under the leadership of Gabriele D'Annunzio.
In a report by the 13 March 1921presented at the congress of theNational Arditi Association of Italy (ANAI) and published in the brochure "Two Years of Passion Ardita"Gino Coletti, secretary and promoter of the ANAI, stated: "I should pause to say how much the Arditi Association did for the Rijeka enterprise. It gave the best legionnaires, many of whom fell during the five days. Over two thousand legionnaires passed through and were subsidised for the Milan headquarters, for which the sum of 60,000 lire was spent. At Fiume, the Association gave everything: money, blood, immense sacrifices. We all offered ourselves, facing and suffering insult, hatred, jail and persecution. We elected D'Annunzio our Supreme Leader and always awaited his orders, ready at any moment to march with him."
After the occupation of Rijeka, the “Reggenza del Carnaro” and promulgated the Carnaro Charter as the constitution of the new state, whose inspirers included the revolutionary trade unionist Alceste de Ambris, also former Ardito.
The 25 December 1920, known as “Natale di Sangue”regular troops of the Italian Army, led by the General CavigliaThey ended the brief experience of the Carnar Republic with brief but intense clashes.
In the inter-war period, many former Arditis reunited in theNational Arditi Association of Italy (ANAI)founded by Captain Mario Carli, figura di spicco nel “fascismo delle origini”. Tra i sostenitori della causa fascista, diversi Arditi presero parte alla Marcia su Roma e furono protagonisti attivi del regime nascente, diventando anche importanti gerarchi, tra cui Giuseppe Bottai e Italo Balbo. However, adherence to the movement was not universal: many Arditi members refused to align themselves with fascism and were marginalised by it.
In 1922, Mussolini sciolse l’ANAIconsidered not fully reliable for the new regime, and founded the Federazione Nazionale Arditi d’Italia (FNAI)into which many former members of the previous association converged. The FNAI thus became the point of reference for Arditis loyal to fascism, also receiving important honours, such as the Tower of Counts in Rome, granted in 1937 and transformed in 1938 into a mausoleum for Alessandro Parisipresident of the federation and a figure celebrated by the fascist Arditis.
At the beginning of the war, Italy dusted off the tradition of the Arditis, re-establishing their presence on various fronts and adapting them to the new requirements of the conflict.
In May 1942, the Gruppo Formazioni “A”composed of Italian-Arab personnel, and the I Special Battalion Arditiestablished on 15 May with three companies, each specialising in one mode of infiltration into enemy territory: the 101st Company Arditi Parachutists, the 102nd Company Arditi Swimmers (later landing), and the 103rd Trucker Company (then terrestrial).
With Circular No. 40900 of 20 July 1942, the SMRE established the Regiment Arditi, con sede a Santa Severa, vicino Roma. Il 1º agosto vi fu integrato il I Battaglione Speciale Arditi come prima unità operativa. L’11 agosto iniziò l’addestramento del II Battalion e, il 15 settembre, l’unità assunse la denominazione di X Regiment Arditiunder the command of the Colonel Renzo Gazzaniga, insignito dell’Ordine Militare di Savoia e decorato con una medaglia d’argento e due di bronzo al valor militare.
Some departments of Arditi, such as those of the “sciatori arditi”were employed in the French campaign, including the Battaglione Alpini “Duca degli Abruzzi” and the “Monte Bianco”while in Africa, Saharan companies carried out special operations in the desert.
The 10th Regiment Arditi operated behind enemy lines, especially in North Africa and Sicily, fino al suo scioglimento dopo l’armistizio.
Il destino degli Arditi mutò quindi drasticamente l’8 settembre 1943. Il 1st Special Battalion Arditideployed in Sardinia, sided with the Southern Kingdom, becoming in March 1944 the 9th Assault Department of the cobelligerent army and, shortly afterwards, the III Battaglione “Col Moschin” within the 68º Reggimento Fanteria “Legnano”continuing to fight alongside the allied forces.
Also the Royal Air Force developed special units, such as the ADRA Battalion (Arditi Distruttori della Regia Aeronautica), istituito nel 1942 per condurre operazioni di sabotaggio contro postazioni nemiche e preparare il territorio all’invasione. Dopo l’8 settembre, durante la Repubblica Sociale Italiana, l’ADRA continuò ad operare sotto il nome di ADAR (Arditi Republican Air Force Destroyers)based in Tradate.
Nel 1944 furono costituiti, sempre per l’Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, il 1º Reggimento Arditi Paracadutisti “Folgore” (ex Reggimento Paracadutisti “Folgore”) e il 2º Reggimento Arditi Paracadutisti “Nembo” (only active with two battalions).
The MAS Flotillas were the forerunners of the Italian Navy's special forces. Framed in the Italian Regia Marina, they have an operational history rooted in the First World War and extending into the Second World War. These units consisted of Torpedo Armed Motorboats (MAS), progettati per attacchi veloci e fulminei contro la marina nemica. I MAS iniziarono a distinguersi già nella Grande Guerra, infliggendo pesanti perdite alla flotta austro-ungarica. Nel secondo conflitto mondiale, le loro operazioni si ampliarono grazie al supporto di reparti d’incursori e, con la nascita della Repubblica Sociale Italiana, anche di unità di fanteria di marina.
The first MAS were developed during the initial phase of the First World War, starting with the design by the Venetian shipyard SVAN (Società Veneziana Automobili Navali)who built the prototypes MAS 1 and MAS 2 in June 1915. La Regia Marina aveva già manifestato interesse per i motoscafi armati a partire dal 1906, ma solo con lo scoppio della guerra si passò dai progetti alla produzione in serie. Questi mezzi, progettati per attacchi rapidi e per sfruttare l’effetto sorpresa, venivano utilizzati per lanciare siluri contro le navi nemiche.
With the start of the First World War, MAS were deployed in surveillance and attack operationsproving their effectiveness in missions against Austro-Hungarian forces. These motorboats, small, manoeuvrable and with high speedThey represented a strategic shift for the Regia Marina, which relied more on quantity and agility than the power of large battleships. The assaults conducted by the MAS were crowned with spectacular successes, such as the missions of Luigi Rizzo, which in 1917 sank the battleship Wien off Trieste, and in 1918 destroyed the Santo Stefano, also of the Austro-Hungarian navy.
On 10 June 1918, the the historic feat of Premuda, in which Lieutenant Luigi Rizzo and Ensign Giuseppe Aonzo, aboard MAS 15 and 21, dealt a decisive blow to the Austrian fleet. In the middle of the First World War, the two MAS, under the orders of section chief Rizzo and respectively commanded by Armando Gori and Giuseppe Aonzo, set off from the port of Ancona and, with daring and precision, managed to infiltrate enemy units heading for the Otranto Channel.
At dawn, the MAS managed to torpedo and sink the Austrian battleship SMS Szent István (Santo Stefano), marking a decisive success for the Royal Italian Navy. This heroic act is still celebrated every 10 June with the Festa della Marina.
Il 1º novembre 1918 nel corso dell’impresa di Pola con una “mignatta” il Maggiore Raffaele Rossetti e il Tenente medico Raffaele Paolucci affondarono la corazzata SMS Viribus Unitis.
On the evening of 31 October, two armed torpedo motorboats (MAS), escorted by as many torpedo boats, left Venice without any official act ratifying the operation on the Italian side. Una volta giunti nelle acque istriane, a poche miglia dall’imbocco del porto di Pola, le torpediniere si ritirarono, lasciando che uno dei MAS rimorchiasse la “mignatta” — una torpedine semovente — fino a qualche centinaio di metri dalla diga foranea del porto. Alle 22:18, i due ufficiali italiani, Raffaele Rossetti e Raffaele Paolucci, puntarono verso il porto a bordo della mignatta, mentre il MAS si allontanava per tornare al punto prestabilito di recupero dopo l’azione.
L’avvicinamento all’obiettivo si rivelò complesso e rischioso: Rossetti e Paolucci trascinarono la mignatta a motore spento oltre le ostruzioni (una sbarramento esterno e tre ordini di reti) e riuscirono a eludere l’intensa vigilanza austriaca. Superarono inosservati le sentinelle sulla diga, le imbarcazioni di ronda e persino un sommergibile in rada. Alle 3:00 del mattino si trovarono in prossimità delle navi ancorate. It was not until 4.45 a.m. on 1 November, after more than six hours in the water, that the two fighters finally managed to position themselves near the hull of the Viribus Unitis. Rossetti detached himself from the mignatta and, approaching the battleship, stared at it a 200 kg explosive charge set to detonate at 6.30 a.m.. When he returned to the craft, a searchlight illuminated them, and they were soon discovered. Before being caught, Paolucci still managed to activate the second explosive charge, while Rossetti sank the mignatta, which ran aground near the steamer Wien.
Brought on board the Viribus Unitis as prisoners, the two Italians learned that, during the night, the Austrian command had surrendered the Pula fleet to the Yugoslavs and that the ship was no longer flying the Austrian flag. At 06:00, they warned Captain Vuković that the battleship could explode at any moment; he immediately ordered the evacuation and transfer of the prisoners to the sister ship Tegetthoff. However, as there was no explosion, the crew returned on board, now sceptical about the warning of the two Italian officers. Infine, alle 6:44, la carica esplosiva detonò, inclinando la corazzata su un lato e causandone il rapido affondamento. L’azione si concluse tragicamente con numerose vittime e dispersi tra l’equipaggio, tra cui il comandante Vuković, che, nel tentativo di salvarsi nuotando, fu mortalmente colpito dalla caduta di un albero della nave.
La Viribus Unitis, costruita nel 1912 a Trieste, rappresentava il fiore all’occhiello della Marina austro-ungarica. Come prima nave da battaglia della classe Tegetthoff, era dotata di un imponente armamento e tecnologie avanzate per l’epoca, incarnando la forza e l’orgoglio della flotta austro-ungarica nel Mediterraneo.
Fu messa a tacere per sempre dall’eroismo dei due italiani Rossetti e Paolucci.
Among the biggest supporters of MAS was Gabriele D'Annunziowho was on board the MAS during the famous Buccari mockery and helped to spread the motto "Memento Audere Semper' (Remember to always dare). Thanks to D'Annunzio's support, the employment of MAS became a symbol of the courage and daring of the Italian forces, earning the esteem of the nation. At the end of the conflict, the Regia Marina had 419 MAS, a sign of the success of this combat strategy based on surprise and agility.
Negli anni successivi alla Prima guerra mondiale, i MAS e altri mezzi d’assalto non furono il fulcro degli investimenti della Marina, dato l’assetto pacifico instauratosi nel Mediterraneo. Tuttavia, l’ideazione e la progettazione di nuove unità d’incursione riprese con la guerra d’Etiopia, a partire dal 1935, che riaccese le tensioni con la Gran Bretagna e la Francia. Fu in questo contesto che i principi dei MAS furono estesi a nuovi progetti, come i explosive barges and the innovative slow running torpedoes (SLC). The SLC, designed by Teseo Tesei and Elios Toschiwere underwater raiding craft capable of carrying operators and explosive warheads below sea level, allowing close attacks against enemy ships moored in ports.
By the time Italy entered World War II, the Italian Navy had established several MAS flotillas, including the 10th MAS Flotillathe elite unit that would become a symbol of the Italian incursion. Initially named 1st MAS Flotilla, la Xª ricevette poi la specialità degli “uomini d’assalto”, che includeva sommozzatori addestrati per nuotare sotto le navi nemiche e posizionare esplosivi direttamente sugli scafi. Questi incursori operavano su siluri a lenta corsa, o “maiali”, e si resero protagonisti di azioni memorabili contro le unità navali alleate.
Se la Xª MAS fosse stata pienamente operativa nel giugno 1940, quando gli inglesi non disponevano ancora dell’Ultra né di buoni sistemi di vigilanza nei porti di Alessandria, Gibilterra e La Valletta, la guerra probabilmente avrebbe avuto un esito assai diverso.
Jack Greene, English writer
The first successful action for the 10th MAS Flotilla took place il 25 marzo 1941: sei barchini esplosivi presero di mira diverse unità nemiche nella baia di Suda, a Creta, causando danni irreparabili, tra cui all’incrociatore Yorkwhich was later stranded and used as a floating battery.
The raid, under the command of the Lieutenant Luigi Faggioniwas conducted with six MTMs (Modified Tourist Motorboats), which forced the obstructions of the bay at night and waited until first light, when they could clearly see the silhouettes of the anchored targets. One of the boats directly hit the Yorkcausing enough damage to prevent its participation in further warlike events; a second, piloted by the Gunnery Sergeant Emilio Barberi (who was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valour for this action), hit the tanker Pericleswhile a third boat, missing its intended target, crashed into a pier.
The other units were unable to reach their targets due to mechanical failures and the difficult operating conditions, so the pilots sank their vehicles to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
Among the most famous missions was theattacco al porto di Alessandria d’Egitto in 1941, in which raiders sank British battleships Queen Elizabeth e Valiant. With these actions, the 10th MAS Flotilla demonstrated the destructive potential of the strategy based on small means and targeted attacks.
In 1942, the 10th MAS Flotilla extended its range of action with the deployment of special units in the Black Seawhere it operated with a land-based MAS squadron. Here, the Italian units took on the Soviet fleet, achieving significant victories, including the sinking of Soviet submarines and transport ships. In the Mediterranean, moreover, the Italian MAS participated in the famous Battle of Mid-August 1942inflicting significant losses on a British convoy bound for Malta.
After the armistice of 8 September 1943, the 10th MAS Flotilla split up. Some of the units chose to continue the fight alongside the Italian Social Republic (RSI)operating under the command of Prince Junius Valerius Borghese. This group mainly dedicated itself to attacks against Anglo-American forces, operating both on the open sea and along the Italian coast. Other members of the flotilla opted for the Italian Cobelligerent Navymaintaining their assault specialty and collaborating with the Allied forces until the end of the conflict.
In short, the MAS represented a tactical revolution for the Regia Marina, demonstrating that the strategy of small assault units could confront even the most powerful fleets. Their actions remained etched in the history of the Italian navy, and the legacy of courage and innovation of the MAS flotillas continues to this day in today's raiding forces.
After the Second World War, l’Italia iniziò una profonda riorganizzazione delle proprie unità militari, gettando le basi per la costituzione delle attuali forze speciali. Nel 1954, all’interno dell’Esercito Italiano, nacque il Parachute Saboteurs Departmentbased in Pisa, the first nucleus of the future 9º Reggimento d’assalto Paracadutisti “Col Moschin”. This unit represented a new type of military force, trained for operations that went beyond the boundaries of conventional warfare and introduced Italy into the modern dimension of special operations.
In 1952, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Corso Pecori Giraldi, entrusted Lieutenant Aldo Massarini, with the task of studying the possible reconstitution of an underwater raid unit, integrating the experience of the guastatori swimmers and paratrooper swimmers. Thus, with the lifting of the constraints imposed by the Treaty of Paris, the Group Arditi Incursors at Varignano, formalised by the Foglio d’ordine n. 44 del 30 maggio 1952 and placed under the direction of Maricentrosub La Spezia.
On the initiative of Admiral Gino Birindelli, commander of Maricentrosub, a reorganisation of the department was initiated, which in 1956 it took the name of MariSubArdIn. In addition to operations at sea, its members also began to be trained in mountain combat and airdrop activities. since 1962.
In 1964, the Light Aircraft Section (S.A.L.) at the airport of Alghero-Fertiliaemployed by the Special Units Grouping (S.U.R.). This department provided air support, creating a synergy between ground and air assets that enhanced the mobility and responsiveness of Italian special units.
Negli anni ’70, il crescente rischio di minacce terroristiche portò il governo italiano a istituire unità specializzate. Su ordine del ministro dell’interno Francesco Cossiga, nel 1977 venne fondata l’UN.I.S. (Special Intervention Unit) with training aimed at hostage rescue and the fight against terrorism. From a detachment of the 1st Carabinieri Parachute Battalion was born, in February 1978, the Special Intervention Group (GIS)which became the first Italian department dedicated exclusively to military counter-terrorism operations.
The fundamental turning point for the Italian special forces came on 30 December 1985when, at the behest of Defence Minister Giovanni Spadolini, the Special Operations Groups (GOS)marking the beginning of the formation of the current Special Forces of the Italian Republic. In this project, selected elements of the 9th Army Col Moschin Battalion and the Navy COMSUBINtwo units designed to support SISMI's intelligence operations. This represented a paradigm shift for Italy: the GOS were an exclusive force aimed at covert operations, capable of acting in hostile territories and contexts in support of national strategic interests.
Over time, highly specialised support units also emerged. In 1992, the 39º Gruppo Squadroni della Cavalleria dell’Aria “Drago” became the first Italian unit to use advanced night vision technology, allowing for greater night-time operations. The expertise and experience of the personnel were essential to the success of international missions, expanding Italy's range of operations. During the same period, the 26º Gruppo Squadroni “Giove”, framed in the Parachute Brigade 'Folgore, was distinguished by specific training with paratroopers and raiders, later turning into the 26th Special Operations Helicopter Unit (REOS)an autonomous strategic air component.
These innovations enabled Italy to deploy special forces with advanced operational capabilities, placing it at the forefront of international special operations.
At the beginning of the new millennium, Italy intensified the development of its special forces to face new global threats and to strengthen its rapid intervention capability in international contexts. In March 2003, the Aeronautica Militare created the Reparto Incursori A.M.I. (RIAM)destined to become the 17th Incursor Wingan essential component in airborne special operations, trained for sabotage missions, hostage rescue and tactical support in highly critical situations.
The following year, in 2004Italy took another decisive step with the foundation of the C.O.F.S. (Joint Special Forces Operations Command)a central command for the coordination and planning of special operations. The creation of the C.O.F.S. represented a turning point in inter-force management, improving the operational synergy between Army, Navy, Air Force and Carabinieri. In that year, the Carabinieri GIS was recognised as a special force, consolidating its role in counter-terrorism missions and high-risk operations.
Officially established the 1 December 2004 under the guidance of General Parachutist Raider (Italian Army) Marco Bertolini already in 2008 was recognised as planning command and in 2021 was validated by NATO as Special Operations Component Command (SOCC) all’interno della NATO Response Force (NRF).
In 2006, le forze speciali italiane furono impegnate in Afghanistan, nell’ambito della missione ISAF (International Security Assistance Force). Per l’occasione, fu istituita la Task Force 45 (TF-45), una speciale unità destinata alle operazioni di contrasto alle minacce terroristiche. La TF-45 rappresenta il più grande dispiegamento di forze speciali mai messo in campo dall’Italia dal dopoguerra.
In 2013, un distaccamento delle forze speciali italiane venne posizionato nella base italiana di Gibuti, intitolata ad Amedeo Guillet, dove operano a rotazione per garantire un presidio strategico e il controllo dell’area del Corno d’Africa.
An important regulatory innovation came in 2015, when theArticle 7-bis of Law No. 198 of 11 December 2015it was stipulated that the Italian intelligence services, such as theAISE (Agency for Information and External Security)could use special forces for specific missions abroad. This rule filled a legislative vacuum and brought Italy into line with operational models already present in other countries, strengthening cooperation between intelligence and special forces to deal with growing global threats.
In 2013, in Pisa, the Army Special Forces Command (COMFOSE) dell’Esercito Italiano, un comando di livello brigata con l’obiettivo di coordinare tutte le unità di forze speciali della forza armata, forze per operazioni speciali e le unità di supporto operativo destinate a operazioni speciali. Questa iniziativa è parte della più ampia Riforma dello Strumento Militare del 2012, voluta dall’allora Ministro della Difesa, Ammiraglio Giampaolo Di Paola.
COMFOSE coordinates the following departments:
Although not formally part of COMFOSE, a department of the Army Aviation Command was assigned as an operational support unit for special operations. For this purpose, the 3º Reggimento elicotteri per operazioni speciali “Aldebaran” was created and is trained for specific operational needs of special forces.
In 2017, in view of the increasingly frequent deployment of Italian special forces in NATO operations, it was decided to further strengthen the operational structure by expanding the number of units qualified as TIER 1 special forces. Also included in the new configuration were the 4th Alpine Parachute Regiment and the 185th Parachute Regiment Goal Acquisition Reconnaissance (RAO) Folgoretwo units with consolidated experience in the Italian Army's Special Operations Forces (FOS).
La convalida ufficiale di queste unità all’interno delle forze speciali italiane avvenne nell’ottobre 2018during the exercise 'Dark Night 2018' which tested the operational capabilities of troops in complex, high-intensity scenarios.
Le Italian Special Forces comprise seven highly trained departments, each with a specific operational vocation:
In addition to the main Special Forces units, Italy also has operational support unit and of crowning units for special operationswhich provide essential support in high-level missions and complex operational contexts. These units are distinguished by their high specialisation, especially in the fields of air support, communications and exploratory operations.
The Special Operations Operations Support (SOOS) requires specialised flight units, both fixed-wing and rotary-wing, to ensure tactical transport, and also makes use of departments dedicated to operational communications and transmissions:
In its mission planning, the COFS may also deploy crowning units, consisting of scouting and support units, drawn according to the level of operation and degree of training required for each specific theatre of operations.
Among the Italian Special Operations Coronation Unit (COS) fall within:
These departments extend the Special Forces' intervention capabilities, allowing strategic operational flexibility in both national and international mission scenarios.
The specialities of Special Forces operators of the Italian Armed Forces differ according to the operational environment and vocation of each department. In the Italian Army, training is divided into two main phases:
There are also specialities for the support forces:
Il brevetto militare da “Incursore”, l’operatore delle forze speciali per eccellenza, viene istituito con Decreto Ministeriale del 2 maggio 1984. Il conseguimento del brevetto comporta una variazione matricolare del militare e, se associato all’appartenenza a un reparto di Forze Speciali, dà diritto a benefici economici significativi. Tra questi figurano l’indennità supplementare per Incursori, pari al 180% dell’indennità operativa di base (prevista dalla Legge 78/1983), e un’indennità aggiuntiva per Forze Speciali di 120 euro lordi mensili.
Courses for obtaining the patent are organised by the main Italian Armed Forces:
These training courses provide intensive and targeted training, preparing each operator for high-risk, high-complexity operations.
The main tasks of the Italian special forces include:
To these are added further functions:
In 2001, the Carabinieri established the 2nd Mobile Carabinieri Brigadea unit that frames all forces deployed in operations abroad, including the GIS.
In 2007, the Air Force established the 1ª Brigata Aerea “Operazioni Speciali” to manage the activities of Special Forces and Protection Forces.
In 2013, the Italian Army established the Army Special Forces Command (COMFOSE) to standardise the procedures and training methods of their special forces.
The Operational Group Incursors (GOI)Instead, he reports directly to the Chief of Naval Staff.
For operations, ALL THESE DEPARTMENTS, of every armed force, remain under the COFSunder the command of the Defence General Staff.
The Italian Arditis and the Regia Marina's MAS Flotillas were pioneers of modern special forces, anticipating some of the techniques and operations that would later be adopted by armed forces around the world.
The tactics and training of the Arditi and the Tenth MAS laid the foundation for the creation of special units in many countries. The British, for example, were very impressed by the successes of the Tenth MAS and were inspired by it for the creation of dive units and the use of unconventional assault techniques.
In summary, the Arditi and MAS Flotillas were the first examples of modern special forces in Europe and the world.