I've been playing with crayons again for a new book. I just wrote an article about Mussolini's fascist Italian social Republic or RSI. It was actually Hitler's idea - crazy Benito wasn't well & just wanted to retire.
But Hitler needed a force loyal to him for keeping order and fighting Italian anti-fascist partisans. Mussolini was allowed 4 divisions totaling 52,000 men. They had quite a time finding that many! Convicts were removed from jail and promised freedom in exchange for loyal service. It was that or a death sentence. Some choice, eh?
Young men and even children were also allowed into the ranks. Since RSI was completely dependent on Germany for funding and equipment, they are commonly seen with German arms. Like this fellow carrying a G41!
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In my opinion, obscure weapons like this and very young combatants virtually equate RSI to Volkssturm. Other pics with German weapons and very young members seem to bear this out. SW
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