Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Reparti d'assalto ('Assault units') were formed in the summer of 1917 by Colonel Bassi, and were assigned the tactical role of shock troops, breaching enemy defenses in order to prepare the way for a broad infantry advance. The Arditi were not units within infantry divisions, but were considered a separate combat arm.

This is an outstanding unpublished 8 x 10” portrait of an Italian Arditi soldier. The portrait comes with a notecard from David Machnicki, author of the “At Arms Length” Trench Club book series, who had planned to use it in a book. The note states that the soldier is wearing a 1917 uniform, a hat Model 1909 with a badge for the 1st Grenadier regiment. The arm badge denotes an officer, and in his belt is an Assault knife, M1917. There is a decoration on his open lapel for the during occupation of Fiume.

The portrait appears to have been retouched, but is absolutely original and is a great piece of Arditi history!

Ready to frame and display.