So after my little expedition to.ebay, I now have a number of Italian infantry built up. In total there are around 53 models, although the MMG's are built to use two bases, one 25mm and one 50mm. I had a minor issue with the bases, as I ordered some 50mm bases but being the silly bugger I am, I ordered them to the wrong place! We're currently away, staying with relatives and I ordered the bases to our house, which were not going to be back at for a few weeks yet!
First up are the said MMG's. Now I am calling them medium machine guns and playing them as such, however, there are quite a few sources that refer to these as Heavy machine guns.
The gunner and loader will be based on a 50mm base, with third man, gun commander?, on 25mm.
Heavy Weapons platoon, two MMG's and an officer. Now I will look to get at least one mortar at some point and maybe even a AT rifle, although not much use in the late war.
Moving in to the rifle platoons, we have the the more elite troops up first.
Bersaglieri sniper team, because why wouldn't you? If your going to have sharpshooters, might as well be the best and Bersaglieri were the Italian riflemen back in the day. The assistant will have his grenade painted yellow instead of the standard red, to show that it's a smoke grenade, held ready to cover their retreat if needed.
Next we have the Paracadutisti, which are actually formed of two five man squads, although there are two lots of seven here. The reason is the two armless men below. These will be armed with Panzerfausts from the German SS kit, which I forgot to bring with me. They will be replaced on the table by their counterparts when they have fired, to remind me that I have fired them.
All the models are armed with SMG's for some close range fire power. I should probably look at getting transports for these guys, maybe some Autoprotetto S37's.
Lastly we have the officer, modeled as a Paracadutisti officer, also with a SMG.
Next we have a small squad of Alpini. This is a support squad, formed of just five troopers with two LMG's.
There is also an Alpini officer to go with the squad, although he's a bit surplus to requirements, as I have more officers than I need.
Next we have the regular Italian army platoon. This consist of two full squads, both with one LMG and rifles, no SMG's here.
One squad is modelled with grenades, either throwing or on belts. The bright red colour of the grenades will make them stand out, so should make identifying squads easier. Additionally, if I want a squad to be armed with anti-tank grenades, this will be the squad.
The other squad is just a standard infantry squad, with no noticeable additions.
These squads and the platoon are lead by another officer.
In addition to the heavy weapons platoon and the rifle platoons, there are some additional HQ characters. With a Medic, Forward Observer and a Spotter. The medic is pretty self-explanatory. The Forward Observer and the Spotter are pretty much interchangeable. The FOO and Spotter are basically there to help the artillery and mortars when they arrive.
Heavy Weapons platoon
Elite Rifle platoon
Rifle Platoon
Complete Army
So that is all the infantry units currently in the Italian army, more than expected but with the possibility to expand further. I'll do a list update soon, taking in to account all the additions here.
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