Known as Le Penne Nere (the black feathers), after the distinctive raven feather in their headgear, the Alpini are the Italian army's elite specialists in mountain warfare. Established by royal decree no. 1056 in 1872, they are the world's oldest mountain specialists.
In 1935, the Italian fascist government under Mussolini reorganized the Alpini into six divisions and sent three of them to fight on the Eastern Front alongside the Germans against the Soviet Union. However, the Germans deployed these elite units (trained and equipped for mountain combat against infantry) along the flat plains by the Don River facing tanks. Despite this, the persistent Alpini managed to escape encirclement and survive.
During the war, Italian Alpini divisions fought in Albania, France, Greece, and Yugoslavia, as well as in the Soviet Union and even as far away as East Africa. After the armistice in 1943, the 3rd Alpini division joined the Allies, while the 4th Alpini division continued to fight alongside Germany.
Contains:
Enough plastic components to make 30 Alpini miniatures. Includes a wealth of options for different weapon configurations and command models. Choice between M33 steel helmets or alpine capes. Weapons included: M91/41 rifle, M91/38 Carcano Cavalry Carbine, M38A Beretta SMG, M38 Carcano carbine, M1934 9 mm Beretta pistol, Breda M30 LMG, and combat knives. Plastic bases. Assembly guide. Full-color water transfer decals.
