"Italian Partisan with Sturmgewehr 44" Topic

Here is a photo I wasn't aware of. A Italian Partisan with a Sturmgewehr 44. I hadn't known any had made it down to Italy. Robert

Where did he get the ammo for it? Hardly a common round. Maybe it's more of a status symbol?
And who are his buddies? I'm no expert on regional costume but they look very Tyrolean to me so maybe northern Italy? Not so far for the StG44 to travel.
You do keep coming up with the goods Robert.

Thanks .Looks like some of the Partisans wore similar uniforms. Robert

Commander Boloffi, a Jewish Italian partisan, leading a column of partisans in a victory parade at the end of the war.
link

Heres another,

Robert

The are Garibaldini style hats, rather popular during the Italian wars of independence.

Looks like another on the far right. Robert

link

It is an interesting find. It would be great to know specifically when and where the picture was taken.

Fallschirmjager units were "authorized" to have Stg44s earlier in 1944 (I think May or June IIRC) but there is no record any of the Fallschirmjager units were actually issued the weapon until October of 1944.

Could be that is the source of the weapon?

Those are the unique ALPINI hats.
Bersaglieri (lots of feathers on the right side) light infantry, and Alpini (single feather on the left side) mountain troops.
Both are very unique.

Garibaldini, the original ones from independence wars wore red shirts… it's another thing, war,history.

I think the partizans in the first pics should be from the Valdossola or Osoppo Brigade, formerly alpini soldiers turned into partizan, active in northern Italy.

The other major formation of partizans was the "Brigata Garibaldi" (mainly communist), who wore red stars and red scarf fighting in central Italy.

Catholic brigades/bands usually wore green scarf, quite all the various formations (and there are dozens) used different color/insignia, but it's not clear from those pics.
Ie: edelweiss for Valdossola, red stars for Garibaldi, a pegasus for CTLN (National Freedom Tuscany Commitee) and many more…

I've never see a Stg44 in any pics, uncommon but it could be possible, Fallschirmjager had hard fights on the Gothic line during all 1944/45, so why not.
Sten (parachuted), Mp40 (looted) and MAB38 (looted/equipped) were the most used MG.

It looks like all the caps are a little worse for wear LOL. Robert

Yeah – took a photo only 5 days ago of a statue in Stresa dedicated to the Alpini – he sports that hat.

Doug

Have a look at number4's post way down at:
TMP link

Au contraire Robert, au contraire ;-)
They are very proud of them! They use it every day, look down here for some Afghanistan 2012/2013 photos
alpinitorinoparella.it/alpini_afghanistan_2012.jpg
lavocedelvolturno.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Esercito-bersaglieri-della-Garibaldi1-in-azione-in-Afghanistan.jpg

Like any other traditional dress used by any army of the world bring to battle line during centuries, it's a symbol.
Filippo

Sorry. I didn't mean that they didn't wear them proudly but that they look a little worn and crumpled. Robert

Nothing to be sorry, sure there was… used, used and even more used anything become crumpled.
The pics show "real life", not parade dressed soldier.
Ciao