WW2 Italian Navy – San Marco Regiment

In June of 1940, at the beginning of the war for Italy, a 2nd “mobilization” battalion was formed, mainly with reservists, and it was given the name “Grado”. This battalion was added to the already existing battalion named “Bafile”. Plans were drawn up to also form the 3rd battalion. The two battalions were moved to La Spezia for a scheduled amphibious landing behind the French lines, but the rapid collapse of the French Army prevented this operation, and the 2 battalions (now formed into the Reggimento “San Marco”) returned to Italy, the 1st battalion to Pola, and the 2nd battalion to Trieste, less one company from the 1st battalion that was moved to Bordeaux, France as a guard unit for the new Italian BETASOM Atlantic Submarine Base. In the same period, a group of 40 Italian Maro’ (marines) began parachutist training. Late in the year the Regimental HQ and the Grado Battalion were moved to Albania in preparation for an amphibious landing on Corfu island in Greece. This operation was canceled and the unit returned to Bari.

In 1941, at the beginning of operations against Yugoslavia in April, the “Grado” battalion and elements from the “Bafile” battalion occupied and garrisoned several Yugoslavian islands and ports. In June, the Regimental HQ and the “Bafile” battalion were in Greece as garrison units on the Corinth Channel. During Autumn, all of the San Marco Regiment, including the several detachments garrisoning the Yugoslavian coast, returned to Italy as part of the Forza Navale Speciale and began training for the invasion of Malta. In November 1941, a provisional 3rd battalion (some companies detached from the Bafile battalion) was formed for a scheduled amphibious operation in North Africa, but this operation was cancelled also, and the battalion served as an infantry unit for the duration of its fighting in North Africa.

In 1942, battalions Bafile and Grado underwent a long and intense training for the scheduled “Operazione C.3” against Malta (Nov.1941 – Nov.1942), together with the now-expanded Battaglione Paracadutisti (Bn. “P”) and the new Battaglione Nuotatori-Guastatori “Mazzucchelli” (later named simply Bn.”N.G.”). The 3rd battalion was still on service in North Africa, distinguishing itself on September 13th – 14th 1942, while in the defense of Tobruk harbor from a strong British raid. The unit received its name “Tobruk” from these actions. In Nov.42, after the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria, the Bafile, Grado, and 1 CCNN landing battalion occupied Corsica (Esigenza C.2) and were then moved to Tunisia with the Regimental HQ. The P and N.G. battalions, together with a newly formed 4th battalion, occupied the southern coast of France and the Toulon port (Esigenza D).

In 1943, the P and N.G. battalions returned to their bases (the P at Tarquinia and the N.G.at Livorno), while the 4th battalion “Caorle” remained at Toulon. The “Tobruk” battalion was destroyed while in Tunisia, and the Regimental HQ, the “Bafile” and “Grado” battalions surrendered with the rest of the Axis forces. At the moment of the Sept.8th Armistice, the remaining forces of the San Marco were as follows: Bn. CAORLE at Toulon, andBns. P and N.G. divided into several garrisons detachments in Italy and Sardinia, Recruits, the training detachments, personnel returning from leave or hospitals at the Pola and Jesi depots, a security detachment (180 men) at the Santa Rosa Royal Navy Telecommunications Center (near Roma), and a security detachment (2 coys) at BETASOM Bordeaux.

DETAILED ACTIVITIES:

REGIMENTAL HQ:

Oct 25th, 1940: From Bari to Valona (Albania) in preparation for the Corfu landing

Nov 4th, 1940: Back to Bari

Dec 14th, 1940: To Trieste

Jan – March 1941: To Pola for amphibious landing exercises

April 14th, 1941: To Valona and then to Greece.

Early Sept 1941: Back to Bari

Sept 16th, 1941: To Livorno

Nov 11th, 1942: Landing in Corsica

Nov 24th, 1942: Landing in Biserte (Tunisia), then operations in Tunisia in the El-Alia and Metline area until the surrender on May 9th1943.

1st BN “BAFILE”

July 1940: At La Spezia in preparation for the landing in France

August 1940: High-mountain training at the Passo del Cerreto

Sept 1940: The 2nd coy is moved to Bordeaux, and named “2 CompagniaBis Battaglione BAFILE”

Dec 1940: A new 2nd coy is formed

Jan – March 1941: Training at Pola

April 14th, 1941: Operations in Yugoslavia (occupation of Veglia)

April 25th, 1941: To Bari, then to Greece

June 8th – Sept 5th, 1941: Garrison to the Corinth Channel.

Sept 6th, 1941: To Bari

Sept 16th, 1941: To Livorno

Oct 23rd, 1941: To La Maddalena island (North-East Sardinia)

Nov 6th – 16th, 1941: Bn HQ, HQ coy, 3rd coy, and MMG coy (536 Maro’)moved to Bengasi (Lybia), then to Barce.

Nov 18th, 1941: Coastal defense in the Alba – Ras Hilal area

Nov 30th, 1941: Renamed 3rd North Africa Bn (3 Battaglione A.S.)

Jan 6th, 1942: The BAFILE is fully reformed at La Maddalena around its coys that had remained in Italy

May 30th, 1942: OOB of the bn is a Hq Coy, 4 x Rifle coys, an 81mm Mortar coy, and a 47L32 AT coy.

Until Nov 11th, 1942: In training for Operazione C.3

Nov 11th 1942: Landing in Corsica

Nov 19th – 22nd, 1942: Landing in Biserte (Tunisia)

Nov 24th, 1942: Coastal defense in the Biserte – Porto Farinaarea

Dec 9th – 12th, 1942: Detachments occupies the La Galite and Caini islands, disarming several French AA and Anti-Shiping batteries

May 9th, 1943: Surrender to the Allies

2nd BN “GRADO”

July 1940: At La Spezia in preparation for the landing in France

August 1940: High-mountain training at the Passo del Cerreto

Sept 1940: At Pola

Oct 2nd, 1940: At Trieste (“Audace” barracks)

Oct 25th, 1940: From Bari to Valona (Albania) in preparation for the Corfu landing

Nov 4th, 1940: Back to Bari

Dec 15th, 1940: To Trieste

Jan – March 1941: To Pola for amphibious landing exercises

April 17th, 1941: Occupies Sebrenico (3rd coy)

April 22nd, 1941: Detachments of the 3rd coy occupies Curzolari and Salta Islands.

April 23rd, 1941: 1st and 2nd coy occupies Spalato, one platoon occupies Lissa Island

May – Aug 1941: Garrison in Dalmatia, divided as follows – HQ Coyat Spalato, 1st Coy at Cattaro, 2nd Coy at Solta, Brazza, Lesina, Lissaand Curzola, 3rd coy at Sebrenico, 4th MMG coy: one platoon in support toeach one of the above mentioned coys. During the occupation of Dalmaziathe bn is called to suppress a revolt in Montenegro (Cattaro, Teodo,Risano, Castelnuovo and Kumbor). Half a coy was moved to Maline inreserve, and later to Budua and Teodo.

Sept 1941: Back to Bari

Oct 23rd, 1941: Exercises at Livornob Nov 30th, 1941: 3rd coy to Piombino for exercises

May 30th, 1942: OOB of the bn – Hq Coy, 4 x Rifle coys, an 81mm Mortar coy, and a 47L32 AT coy

Dec 1941 – Nov 1942: In training at Livorno for Operazione C.3

Nov 11th, 1942: Landing in Corsica

Nov 23rd, 1942: Landing in Biserte (Tunisia)

Nov 24th – 25th, 1942: Coastal defense in the El-Azib area

Dec 1st, 1942: Defensive line on the Bonchatur Heights (From Biserteto Tunis). The MMG Coy garrisons the Ouona airport (south of Tunis)

Dec 23rd, 1942: To Susa

Dec 29th – 30th, 1942: Battle of Gebel Chakeur, the bn successfully attack Allies positions

Jan 21st – 22nd, 1942: Battle of Diebel Bou Dabouss. Supported by the Rgt Mortar coy, the bn repulse an Allies assault, then counterattacks occupying the Allies positions (and captures about 200 prisoners)

April 28th, 1942: To Pont du Fahs

May 4th, 1943: To Aousida (east of Biserte)

May 9th, 1943: Surrender to the Allies, moved to the concentration camps at Bona and Mateur.

3rd BN A.S. (Later 3rd BN “TOBRUK”)

Nov 30th, 1941: The 3 Battaglione San Marco in Africa Settentrionalein formed from detachments of the 1st BAFILE bn.

Dec 18th-21st, 1941: Moved to the El Agheila area, garrisoning MarsaBreda, Agedabia, and Autelat, assigned to the “SABATHA” Div in the 86thRegiment (with the 1st and 2nd GGFF bns). The bn is reinforced with 1247L32 AT guns and 12 20L65 AA guns.

Jan 22nd, 1942: To Agedabia.

Jan 26th, 1942: To the Antelat area.

Feb 23rd, 1942: To Bengasi.

March 1942: Coastal defense from El-Morra to Dirana (80kms!) and Bengasi harbor.

May 1st, 1942: The bn HQ returns to Napoli, after the order for the bn to return to Italy, but the return order is later canceled and the other coys are attached to the German KG Heckler.

May 24th, 1942: The HQ coy returns to Bengasi by air transport, and then moves to Bomba where the rest of the bn is located.

May 30th, 1942: OOB of the bn – Hq Coy, 4 x Rifle coys, an 81mm Mortar coy, a 47L32 AT coy, and a 20L65 AA coy.

May 29th – June 1st, 1942: The bn moves to front line atTring-el-Abd via Tmini, Rotonda Mteifel and Got-el-Nalet.

June 2nd, 1942: Battle of El Abd, clear Axis victory with thousands of British POWs taken.

June 5th – 6th, 1942: The bn is now reserve for the 10th Corps, security duties on the Tmini road repulsing British tank and armored car attacks.

June 19th, 1942: To Bubu Scenaf.

June 21st, 1942: To Bir-Batruna, where it stops British units retreating from Tobruk.

June 22nd, 1942: The bn enters Tobruk, and is deployed on a 12kmcostal defense line. One platoon follows the Axis advance in Egypt to the Baia degli Arabi, near El Alamein.

July 15th – 30th, 1942: Another platoon moves to Marsa Matruk.

Aug 15th – 30th, 1942: Another platoon moves to El Daba. These three detachments are in support of the light Torpedo Boats of the 10th MAS “Autocolonna Giobbe”.

Sept 13th – 14th, 1942: The bn repulse a strong British raid against Tobruk, and is renamed 3 Battaglione “TOBRUK”.

Oct 1942: The bn leaves Tobruk by sea and is moved to Bengasi.

Nov 13th – 14th, 1942: The bn moves by sea to Ras Aali.

Dec 1942 – Jan 1943: Slow retreat toward Tunisia, attached to the”LA SPEZIA” div. Engaged at Marsa-el-Brega (Dec 12th) Buerat-el-Asun (late December) and the Maret line (late January 1943).

Late March 1943: Defence of Akarit as part of the 126th Rgt “LASPEZIA”.

April 5th – 6th, 1943: The bn is almost destroyed in the battle of the Oidane-el-Hachana line.

April 14th, 1943: The remnants of the bn return in Italy at Trapani.

4th BN “CAORLE”

Sept 13th, 1942: The unit is formed at Pola for the Esigenza D(occupation of Toulon), formed by 3/5 recruits and 2/5 “shipwreck survivors” (???). It was intended from the beginning as a Garrison (not front-line) unit.

Oct 14th, 1942: OOB of the bn – Hq Coy and 4 x Rifle coys.

Nov 16th, 1942: To Livorno.

early Dec 1942: The 1st coy and one independent platoon are moved to Bordeaux to reinforce the BETASOM garrison. The other coys of the bn are moved to the Toulon area, where they remained until the Set 8thArmistice.

MILMART (Naval Blackshirts) COYS (attached to the S.Marco bns)

Oct 24th, 1940: The 1st MILMART MMG coy is attached to the GRADO bn, after intense amphibious training.

Oct 25th, 1940: from Bari to Valona (Albania) in preparation for the Corfu landing.

Nov 4th, 1940: Back to Bari.

Dec 14th, 1940: To Saseno via Brindisi.

Jan-Marc 1941; A 2nd coy is formed, and sent to Capo Papas (nearPatrasso). The 1st coy is at Loutraki, as part of the Corinth Channelgarrison.

Sept 4th, 1941: Back to Italy (both coys).

Nov 11th, 1942: Landing in Corsica (both coys).

Oct 23, 1941 – Aug 1942: 1st coy to La Maddalena.

Sept 1st – Nov 11th, 1942: In training at Livorno for Operazione C.3 (bothcoys).

Nov 11th, 1942: Landing in Corsica.

Nov 15th – 17th: Moved to Cagliari (Sardinia).

Nov 21st, 1942: 1st coy to Biserte (Tunisia) with the BAFILE.

Nov 23rd, 1942: 2nd coy to Biserte (Tunisia) with the GRADO.

Nov 24th, 1942: The new 3rd coy is formed at Biserte (Tunisia) with “Italians of Tunisia” volunteers, and attached to the Rgt HQ. The three coys followed their bns for all the Tunisia operations, except the 2nd coy, which served in coastal defense on the Sidi Bou Said-La Golettaline, with one detachment acting as a garrison for the Oudna airport.

BN “P” (Paracadutisti)

March 22nd, 1941: 40 men are sent to the parachutist school at Tarquinia, to train for an operation on the Corinth Channel bridge.

March 1942: Another 100 men underwent parachutist training.

May 30th, 1942: OOB of the bn, Hq Coy and 6 Parachutist “teams”

Sept 1942: A final batch of 120 men underwent parachutist training.

Oct 14th, 1942: OOB of the bn, Hq Coy and 3 x Parachutistcoys.

Nov 13th, 1942: To Toulon for garrison duties.

Feb 6th – 8th 1943: Back to Tarquinia.

April 30th, 1943: Assigned to Generalmas HQ for special operations BN “G” (Guastatori) and SPECIAL BN “Mazzucchelli” – later BN “N”(Nuotatori) – later amalgamated as BN “N.G.”

June 21st, 1941: The Battaglione Speciale “MAZZUCCHELLI” (assault swimmers) is formed, with 200 men of the San Marco and 200 of the MILMART(naval Blackshirts).

Late Aug 1941: The “G” bn (50 men!) finish its training and is activated at Pola.

Oct 1941: Another 50 men (from the Army, but trained by the S.Marco) are added to the bn “G”.

???: The Bn “G” moves to Livorno and then to La Maddalena island.

Sept 4th, 1942: Sabotage raid on the Egypt coast.

Oct 14th, 1942: OOB of the bn “Mazzucchelli”, Hq Coy and 5 x Riflecoys.

late Oct 1942: The “Mazzucchelli” is renamed “N”, and then amalgamatedwith the “G” as “N.G.” bn. A detachment, called Reparto GuastatoriNuotatori is moved to Bengasi and later attached to the TOBRUK bn.

Nov 11th 1942: Landing in Corsica .

Nov 13th, 1942: To Toulon for garrison duties.

Feb 6th – 8th 1943: back to Livorno.

Dec 2nd, 1942 – Feb 15th, 1943: Several sabotage raids against the Alliessupply lines.

Feb 6th, 1943: raid on Algiers.