SEE BELOW FOR DESCRIPTION
|
|
C011058 ITALIAN FRONTE-RUSSO (RUSSIAN FRONT) HONOR BADGE.
BACKGROUND:
In March 1919 Benito Mussolini established the, Fascio di Combattimento, (Union of Combatants), political party in Milan and fascism was born in Italy. Shortly afterwards the FdC adopted the black shirts that the anarchist laborers of the Romagna region of Italy had worn previously. Mussolini was first elected as a member of the Chamber of Deputies in the general election of 1921. In a fortunate set of circumstances, due to a general strike, economic chaos and a dissatisfied populace, Mussolini was able to depose Premier Luigi Facta and was appointed as Premier by King Victor Emmanuel III following the infamous "March on Rome", on October 28TH 1922. Now with Mussolini’s Partito Nazionale Fascita, (National Fascist Party), firmly in control the black shirts were to become ubiquitous through-out Italy. A decree of February 1ST 1923 reorganized the fascist militia and introduced a new designation, MVSN, Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale, (Volunteer National Security Militia). On July 25TH 1943 the Grand Council and King Victor Emmanuel accepted Mussolini’s "resignation", and had him imprisoned which resulted in the Italians conceding to unconditional surrender on September 8TH 1943 bringing an end to Mussolini’s fascist rule. The Fascist Grand Council was the supreme constitutional authority in Italy from 1922 until Mussolini’s arrest in September 1943. The "C.S.I.R." (Corpo di spedizione Italiano in Russia (Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia)) was created on the 10th of July, 1941and arrived for service in Russia at the end of July 1941 and was initially under the control of the German 11th Army commanded by Generaloberst Eugen Ritter von Schobert. The initial strength consisted of 59,000 men, with 3,000 officers, 5,500 motor vehicles and over 4,000 horses and mules. Part of the "C.S.I.R." contingent was the 52nd Torino Semi-Motorized Infantry Division which consisted of the 81st and 82nd Torino Infantry Regiments and the 52 Artillery Regiment. The so-called Italian "Fronte-Russo" (Russian Front) honor badge was awarded in March 1943 to all those troops, including Germans attached to the CSIR and 8th Army Corps, that served on the Eastern Front from 22 June 1941 to 5 June 1943.PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A circular, alloy, badge, about 1 11/16" in diameter, which has to the obverse a wreath, with thorns to the left side, which represents suffering, and laurels to the right side, which represent heroism, both touching a knot of the House of Savoy at the top. To the center of the badge are crossed Cossack sabers while at the base is a scroll with the blue highlighted inscription "Fronte-Russo". To the reverse can be seen the embossed text "F. M. Lorioli Fratelli, Milano", "Via F. Bronzetti. 25" and "Modello Depositato No. 38." which is the name and address of the only authorized manufacturer and the model number of the badge. To the center following the contour of one of the swords is a safety pin attachment device. The original design of the badge used a vertical hinged pin and hook attachment device that was replaced by a second version using the pin as above, although the mounting marks were left in the casting. A nice example of the "Fronte-Russo" honor badge and although the silver finish is mostly gone and the badge has darkened with age most of the blue in the lettering is retained.
GRADE**3/4 PRICE $ SOLD
To Order this item, please use one of the two e-mail addresses below to contact us. Please make sure to quote the item number in your e-mail-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca Or guild@nb.aibn.com
To return to the main page please CLICK below