Alpine Miniatures 16025 Italian Paratrooper "Nembo" Division 1:16

The first Italian parachute units (including the paracadutisti) received specialized training and were formed shortly before the outbreak of World War II at Castel Benito, near Tripoli, Libya. It should be added that the first units, that is, the two parachute infantry battalions, were formed from regular infantry units stationed in the then Italian Libya. The first use of one of these battalions can be dated to 1941, when it was used in combat during the North African campaign. During World War II, two airborne divisions called Folgore and Nembo were formed in the Italian army. It was also planned to create one or perhaps two more such divisions in the Italian army, but these plans were not implemented. Without a doubt, the most deserving Italian parachute division was the Folgore division, formed in 1941 and initially trained to take control of Malta. When plans to invade the island failed, the division was transferred to North Africa and fought as regular infantry. There he participated in the two battles of El-Alamein in 1942, suffering not only heavy losses, but also showing high combat valor, courage on the battlefield and the initiative of even ordinary soldiers. The division, as a result of losses and extreme exhaustion of the soldiers due to lack of water, was forced to capitulate to the British.