THE ITALIAN ARMY IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR VOLUME 2: The Grey-Green Uniforms from 1909 to 1919

1-231362

This illustrated double volume recounts the transformations experienced by the Italian Army during the war, through the presentation of over 500 weapons, pieces of equipment and protective gear, badges and decorations. Divided into 14 chapters, the text delves into the evolution of edged weapons and firearms (short, long, individual, and team firearms) and the progressive introduction and development of hand and rifle grenades. It then focuses on individual equipment, equipment for mountain warfare, the use and development of wire cutters, equipment in military healthcare, and communication tools. The volume than presents individual protection systems (gas masks and protective gear developed for chemical warfare; trench shields), with a review of individual fatigue and work equipment (fatigue uniform, other protective clothing, footwear). It ends with the presentation of insignias, badges and official medals in use by the Italian Army, during the war and in the aftermath of the conflict.

The items described come from the collections of the Museo Storico Italiano della Guerra and other public and private international collections. The repertoire covers all the army's supplies - except for artisanal production - up to the end of WWI. Over 500 historical photos describes the pieces.