{"id":11473,"date":"2024-10-26T13:38:21","date_gmt":"2024-10-26T13:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brigatafolgore.net\/?page_id=11473"},"modified":"2025-04-16T12:09:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T11:09:48","slug":"nascita-ed-evoluzione-delle-forze-speciali-una-storia-tutta-italiana","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/brigatafolgore.net\/en\/birth-and-evolution-of-special-forces-an-all-italian-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Birth and evolution of the Special Forces, an all-Italian story"},"content":{"rendered":"

Italy was the first country in the world<\/strong> to experiment with elite military units, pioneering innovative assault tactics and means, both by land with the Arditi<\/em>both by sea with the daring MAS flotillas of the Regia Marina<\/em>. 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<\/strong> from all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L'roman army<\/strong> employed special units, such as the Exploratores<\/em> and the Speculatores<\/em>, 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<\/strong> with the Arditi<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong> e unconventional fighting techniques<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Birth<\/picture>
Arditi of the 9th Assault Division in World War I and raiders of the 9th Regiment 'Col Moschin' - Copyright photo Ministry of Defence-Army<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first Incursors in history: the Arditis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the early 20th century, the military felt the need to innovate assault tactics to cope with modern and increasingly complex warfare. The first Italian special forces officially came into being in 1917, at the height of the First World War, as assault units of the Royal Army<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were the legendary Arditi<\/strong>, an infantry weapon speciality of the Royal Army, formed into autonomous assault units. Their 'asymmetrical' nature allowed them to influence battles through targeted and often invisible interventions, exploiting discretion and training superiority instead of conventional force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Birth<\/picture>
The Arditi represent the precursors of today's Italian special forces - Copyright photo Ministry of Defence-Army<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Their first training centre was in Sdricca of Manzano<\/strong>near 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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)<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experiments before 1917<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another anticipation of the Arditi were the so-called Companies of Death<\/strong>formed by special infantry and engineer patrols. These soldiers were equipped with body armour and helmets, often of the 'Farina' type, and trained for missions of cutting fences and blasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The birth of the Arditi, therefore, was not an isolated event but the result of a progressive evolution of tactics and operational requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Birth<\/picture>
The Arditi of the Bologna Brigade under the command of Lt. Arturo Avolio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
First deployment in the Battle of Gorizia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
he first deployment of 'special platoons' dates back toAugust 1916<\/strong>during the Battle of Gorizia<\/strong>in the clashes between the Lambro Brigade and the Austro-Hungarian army at altitude 188 and the Dosso del Bosniaco. However, due to the imprecision of the official reports and the difficulties of the terrain - characterised by barbed wire and heavily beaten by Austrian artillery - it is impossible to determine exactly how effective these units were on the outcome of the battle. However, it is assumed that they were employed as breakout units at the positions mentioned and as scouting units once they had passed Gorizia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other significant actions by these platoons occurred on11 February 1917<\/strong>when two platoons recaptured the trench of the salient of House of Pines<\/strong>lost two days earlier by the 206th Battalion of the Lambro Brigade, and the 26 February<\/strong>when a platoon broke into a trench near Belpoggio<\/strong>managing to win her over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Major Giuseppe Bassi's innovations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/strong>. This unit was commanded by Major Giuseppe Bassi<\/strong>supported by the Sergeant Giuseppe Longoni<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bassi drafted an innovative note on the use of Fiat Mod. 15 \/ OVP machine guns (Officine Villar Perosa)<\/strong>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 revolvers<\/strong>to accentuate the aggressiveness of the troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forwarded to the General Gaetano Giardino<\/strong> in November 1916, the note met with his approval; Giardino, however, forwarded it to the General Grazioli<\/strong> for a higher-ranking opinion. Grazioli, commander of the Lambro Brigade<\/strong>probably adapted the new notes to his earlier thoughts on special platoons, and the 7 March 1917 <\/strong>issued a directive to regimental commanders to create attack divisions specialised in surprise raids, sudden counterattacks and other operations outside the remit of conventional infantry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14 March 1917<\/strong>, 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 Sto\u00dftruppen<\/strong>on average better trained than normal departments. However, the Arditi<\/strong> Italians were not a simple imitation of the German and Austrian assault troops; Unlike their German counterparts, the Arditi formed true autonomous units, without limiting themselves to the role of supporting the infantry.<\/strong>The experiments of the Royal Army in this direction preceded the information on the German units and served mainly to accelerate the project of establishing the Italian special units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After attending an exercise led by Bassi, the General Cadorna<\/strong> 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<\/strong>.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The baptism of fire and Mount San Gabriele<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The new Units received their Baptism of Fire during the Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo in August 1917<\/strong>when they were employed to break through the Austro-Hungarian positions on the Bainsizza plateau. These men distinguished themselves through daring actions and the ability to infiltrate between enemy lines, managing to break through the adversary's defences and conquer strategic positions such as the Monte San Gabriele<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Monte San Gabriele<\/strong>heavily fortified, was the scene of one of the most famous operations. At the dawn of 4 September 1917<\/strong>the 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<\/strong>. This success earned them fame and recognition, consolidating the Arditis' role as the army's elite force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Birth<\/picture>
Arditi propaganda poster, World War I - Italian War History Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The conquest of the Col Moschin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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 Grapp<\/strong>a, 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 Scheuschenstuel<\/strong>reinforced by reinforcements and supported by heavy artillery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 3 o'clock on 15 June<\/strong> began a violent bombardment, immediately countered by Italian artillery, which succeeded in weakening the Austrian forces on the eastern side. At 8 a.m.<\/strong>, 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 Faghero<\/strong>n. Within hours, the Italian defences on the Grappa were on the verge of collapse, leaving the Austrians with potential access to the Venetian plain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most important position remained: the Col Moschin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a few days later, on 24 June, the IX Department was again sent to recapture an Austrian stronghold on the Asolone<\/strong>. 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subsequently, between 24 October and 4 November 1918, the Arditi were among the architects of the breakthrough of the Piave Line<\/strong> which enabled the final victory over the Austro-Hungarian armies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Birth<\/picture>
Lieutenant Carlo Sabatini and his newly decorated Arditi of the 5th assault division after the action on Monte Corno on 13 May 1918<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Organisation of the Assault Units (First World War)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
735 soldiers divided into three companies (about 200 soldiers each):<\/p>\n\n\n\n