{"title":"Italy","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"bolt-action-italian-army-and-blackshirts","title":"Bolt Action:  Italian Army and Blackshirts","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"shopify-section-template--15430969098320__main\" class=\"shopify-section\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-details product-default has-sidebar\" id=\"ProductSection-template--15430969098320__main\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"productView-bottom scroll-trigger animate--fade-in\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"container-1770\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tabs-contents tabs-contents-horizontal clearfix halo-text-format\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tab-content is-active\" id=\"tab-description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"toggle-content is-active popup-mobile\" id=\"tab-description-mobile\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tab-popup-content\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMussolini famously boasted that the Italian army had eight million bayonets standing at the ready. In actuality, the standing Italian army was far smaller than that, with huge numbers of troops conscripted into a war they neither believed in nor understood. The fighting ability of units of the Italian army varied greatly, with much of the rank and file lacking proper equipment, transport and even motivation. Still, there were several key battles in North Africa and the Eastern Front where they performed well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInitially, the standard rifle was the Carcano Model 1891 as used in World War I. A shortened version was introduced in 1941 (the M91\/41); this along with the M38 Carbine, was intended to replace the M1891 – the shorter barrels being far more practical for the infantry to carry and manoeuvre. These latter two weapons are represented in our new plastics. Also represented is the M91\/38 cavalry carbine – typically issued with a fixed rear sight (set to 200 metres) and a folding bayonet. The excellent 9mm Beretta M38 was the standard sub-machine gun. The Italian light machine gun – the Breda Model 1930 – suffered from a slow rate of fire, the same small calibre ammunition as the squad’s rifles, and a mechanism prone to jamming and breakage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCamicie Nere (Blackshirts) Militia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe MVSN or Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (Voluntary Militia for National Security) was made by the Fascist Party into a paramilitary organization similar in concept to the German SS. The rank and organizational terminology used by the MVSN was very close to that of ancient Rome, with legions, centuries, cohorts, maniples and so on. Mostly concerned with territorial security and counter-partisan activities, in wartime the Camicie Nere were organized into ‘assault legions’ that were fielded alongside regular army infantry divisions to reinforce them and as a way to ‘politicize’ the Regio Esercito.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quality of these militia units varied immensely, ranging from barely trained village bullies to veterans of the Spanish Civil War and highly motivated ‘Giovani Fascisti’ (young fascists).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Sprue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Italian uniform changed several times during the course of the war and we chose the pattern that could best represent a wide array of troops, at different times during the war, and in different theatres of operation. At 28mm scale, these are ideal to represent M37 or M40 tunics. We have also included the Camiciotto Sahariana pullover smock for added variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeaponry includes the M91\/41 rifle, M91\/38 Carcano Cavalry Carbine, M38A Beretta SMG, M38 Carcano carbine, M1934, 9mm Beretta pistol and Breda M30 LMG.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wide variety of headgear for the Italian Army and Blackshirts are included – M33 steel helmets, Bustina cap, M1935 pith helmet, Blackshirt soft fez \u0026amp; Blackshirt hard fez.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot only that but the sprue contains masses of optional extras such as two types of gas mask bags, goggles, bayonets, combat knives, etc!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBox contains 30 plastic highly customisable Italian Infantry, with decal sheet and assembly guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Warlord Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57132114313594,"sku":"402015801","price":33.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0229\/0984\/5584\/files\/Screenshot2026-07-31155126.png?v=1785509608"},{"product_id":"bolt-action-italian-bersaglieri","title":"Bolt Action: Italian Bersaglieri","description":"\u003cp\u003eHighly trained marksmen and superbly fit soldiers, the Bersaglieri (sharpshooter) were easily identified by their helmets, sporting large black capercaillie feathers. As light infantry troops they were encouraged to have a greater level of independence and initiative than the regular Italian army troops and this élan served them well during the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring World War II the Bersaglieri became a focal point of Italy's push towards mobile warfare. Several units of these highly motivated, aggressive troops were equipped with bicycles or motorcycles to fight alongside the Italian armoured and motorised divisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeeing action in the early years of the war in France and Greece they would also acquit themselves well in North Africa with 12 regiments fighting in the East Africa, Western Desert and Sicily campaigns. On several occasions Bersaglieri units fought to the last man as their German allies fled, belying the modern day view that Italian soldiers were largely craven. The Bersalgieri saw combat on the Eastern Front against Stalin's Red Army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvanti Italia!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBox contains 30 highly customisable plastic figures, bases and waterslide decal sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warlord Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57132119720314,"sku":"402015802","price":33.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0229\/0984\/5584\/files\/Screenshot2026-07-31155536.png?v=1785509766"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.narthexwargaming.co.uk\/collections\/italy.oembed","provider":"Narthex Wargaming","version":"1.0","type":"link"}