1st Paratrooper Blackshirts Brigade "Littorio"

1st Paratrooper Blackshirts Brigade "Littorio"
1ª Brigata Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Littorio"
Coat of arms of the 1st Paratrooper Blackshirts Brigade "Littorio"
Active	1950 - present
Country	Italy
Branch	Italian National Royal Guard
Part of	Legionary Corps
Beret	Maroon
Commanders
Current commander	Brig. Gen. Mario Vattani
Insignia
Collar flashes

The 1st Paratrooper Blackshirts Brigade "Littorio" (Italian: 1ª Brigata Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Littorio", officially shortened 1ª Brig. CC.NN. Par. "Littorio") is a paratrooper formation of the Italian National Royal Guard. The Brigade has drawn international controversy over its association with extremist factions of the National Fascist Party. The Brigade had a critical role within the larger Debalti reform movement.

History

The 1st Paratrooper Blackshirts Brigade "Littorio" tracks its origins back to the 1950, on the wake of the African War. On November, 15th, 1951, Commandant General Rodolfo Graziani proposed to the M.V.S.N. the establishment of a Paratroopers Company, in order to deploy them in critical public order events and in military operations. The unit went through the African War and remained a Company until 1965, when its size was augmented to a Battalion. On November 4th, 1966, the Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion operated in rescue operations in Florence, while the following year a Platoon was deployed in Province of Bolzano. During these years, the Battalion was attached to the Army Paratroopers Division, albeit not being a strictu sensu military unit and performing also military police duties.

On July 1st, 1967, at the final ceremony of the "Aquila Rossa" Exercise, Duce Benito Mussolini granted the maroon beret to Paratroopers units, including the G.N.R. ones.

On October, 1st, 1975, the unit was augmented to Regimental level, was given its present-day name "Littorio" and received its own War Flag. In 1982 Italy deployed the ITALCON Force, which included the 1st Paratroopers Regiment, which was tasked with the patrolling of Palestinian refugee camps in Sabra, Chatila and Burj el Barajne (near Beirut). The Regiment confronted also with Kata'eb Party militia, resulting in extensive political cooperation established afterwards. After the ITALCON departure, a G.N.R. Platoon remains in order to protect the Italian Embassy.

Between 1986 and 1992 the Regiment was slowly augmented to form a Brigade-sized formation, by transferring volunteers from M.V.S.N., Army and Royal Police Corps to the G.N.R. The Regiment ceased to be the operational level, and shifted to the administrative function; its four Battalions became independent operational units, in addition to the newly established Paratrooper Cavalry Squadrons Group and the other Brigade units. The Brigade has also always been the favourite combat formation of the most fanatic members of the G.I.L. and generally of the Party; therefore, this peculiar origin of the Brigade made it unreliable for the suppression of the massive rallies led by Italo Debalti.

In 1991-1993, the Littorio Brigade was crtical in order to ensure a credible military retaliation force to deter any reprisal against Italo Debalti.

Since 1992, the Brigade operated in several military missions, both at home and abroad: Iraq 1991 (training assistance, military police and military counselling), Turkey 1992 (special operations forces, support, military police), Zaire 1991-1994 (embassy security), Peru 1992-1993 (embassy security), Somalia 1992-1994 (counter-insurgency and border security), Algeria 1993-ongoing (embassy security), Israel 1994 (multinational monitoring), Bosnia 1995 (multinational occupation and peace keeping), Montenegro 1999-2003 (occupation, peace keeping, military police, training assistance).

In 1999 the Paratrooper Regiment was disestablished and all its remaining command and control functions were transferred to the Brigade command.

Following the proclamation of the Fascist Monarchy, the Brigade retained its role of "fire brigade" formation, detaching troops in order to support other forces and formations, both in internal security and in military operations. The last major confrontation during which the Littorio Brigade was involved was the great 2011 Libyan Revolt.

Notable members

Among the most famous people who served as a G.N.R. Paratrooper, the most important is doubtless Niccolò Giani M.O.V.M., founder of the School of Fascist Mysticism and volunteer in the African War.

Ideology

The 1st Paratrooper Blackshirts Brigade "Littorio" has been described as a "far-right militia within the militia", with connections to neo-Nazism and expressing neo-Nazi views.

Littorio Legionnaires routinely wear fascist or Nazi-associated symbols on their uniforms outside regulations, including swastikas. Several Littorio Legionnaires show Nazi tattoos. Many of Littorio's members have links with neo-Nazi factions within the National Fascist Party. Some of the unit's members are neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and avowed anti-Semites.

Since mid-2010s, the Littorio Brigade has depoliticised. Brigadier General Mario Vattani toned down the Brigade's usual rethoric, while most of the more politicised leadership had left to focus on political careers in the National Fascist Party or in the Fascist mass organisations.

Organisation

Brigade organisational chart

The Brigade is organized on the same line of the Army Paratroopers Brigades; its nine operational Battalions carry the ordinal numbers from 681st to 689th, marking the affinity between Army and G.N.R. paratroopers.

The Littorio Brigade currently consists of 5,500 Legionnaires in ten subordinate battalions:

• Command and Tactical Support Battalion "Littorio"
• 681st Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Nere"
• 682nd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Tricolori"
• 683rd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali d'Italia"
• 684th Paratrooper Combat Sapper Engineer Blackshirts Battalion "Niccolò Giani"
• 685th Paratrooper Artillery Blackshirts Group "Pugno di Ferro"
• 686th Paratrooper Cavalry Blackshirts Squadrons Group "Avanguardia"
• 687th Paratrooper Medical Blackshirts Battalion "Fulgor"
• 688th Paratrooper Combat Maintenance Blackshirts Battalion "Mazzarini"
• 689th Paratrooper Logistic Blackshirts Battalion "Littorio"

The current commander is Brigadier General Mario Vattani.

Command and Tactical Support Battalion "Littorio"

Battalion coat of arms

The Command and Tactical Support Blackshirts Battalion "Littorio" (Italian: Battaglione Comando e Supporti Tattici Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Littorio", shortened BCTS CC.NN. Par. “Littorio”) is a fundamental support unit intended for the logistical support and security of the Brigade Command, for the management of the transmission system of the entire brigade, for satisfying the mobility needs of the various units that make up the Brigade.
The Command and Tactical Support Battalion "Littorio" consists of:

• Personnel Section;
• Logistics Section;
• Operations Training and Intelligence Section;
• Headquarters Unit;
• Command and Logistic Support Company "Littorio";
• Signals Company "Fascismo";
• Multifunctional Training Centre.

681st Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Nere"

Battalion coat of arms

The 681st Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Nere" (Italian: 681° Battaglione Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Ali Nere", shortened 681° Btg. CC.NN. Par. "Ali Nere") is the premier unit of the Littorio Paratroopers Brigade. The Battalion distinguished itself on several occasions, especially in the Italian Empire. In 2011 the Battalion operated in Bengasi and its surroundings in sweeping operations.
The Battalion's task is, within the Brigade, to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver in order to destroy or capture the opponent, or in order to repel the enemy's assault by fire, close combat, and then counterattack. Additionally, the Battalion provides maneuver elements, seizes and defends terrain from the enemy, conducting independent operations at small scale, providing the anti-armour and mortar fire support for organic and attached units.
The Paratrooper Battalion depends on appropriate elements of the Littorio Brigade for supplemental transportation and medical support. It also depends on the 685th Paratrooper Artillery Blackshirts Group "Pugno di Ferro" for fire support teams and to provide support and coordination.
The 681st Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Nere" consists of 680 Legionnaires:

• 681st Command and Logistic Support Company "Ali Nere" (191 troops);
• 681-A Paratrooper Rifle Company "Poiane Feroci" (134 troops);
• 681-B Paratrooper Rifle Company "Falchi Neri" (134 troops);
• 681-C Paratrooper Rifle Company "Falconi" (134 troops);
• 681st Anti-Armour Company "Ali Nere" (87 troops).

682nd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Tricolori"

Battalion coat of arms

The 682nd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Tricolori" (Italian: 682° Battaglione Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Ali Tricolori", shortened 682° Btg. CC.NN. Par. "Ali Tricolori") is an infantry battalion of the Littorio Paratroopers Brigade.
The Battalion's task is, within the Brigade, to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver in order to destroy or capture the opponent, or in order to repel the enemy's assault by fire, close combat, and then counterattack. Additionally, the Battalion provides maneuver elements, seizes and defends terrain from the enemy, conducting independent operations at small scale, providing the anti-armour and mortar fire support for organic and attached units.
The Paratrooper Battalion depends on appropriate elements of the Littorio Brigade for supplemental transportation and medical support. It also depends on the 685th Paratrooper Artillery Blackshirts Group "Pugno di Ferro" for fire support teams and to provide support and coordination.
The 682nd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali Tricolori" consists of 680 Legionnaires:

• 682nd Command and Logistic Support Company "Ali Tricolori" (191 troops);
• 682-A Paratrooper Rifle Company "Frecce Verdi" (134 troops);
• 682-B Paratrooper Rifle Company "Frecce Bianche" (134 troops);
• 682-C Paratrooper Rifle Company "Frecce Rosse" (134 troops);
• 682nd Anti-Armour Company "Ali Tricolori" (87 troops).

683rd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali d'Italia"

Battalion coat of arms

The 683rd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali d'Italia" (Italian: 683° Battaglione Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Ali d'Italia", shortened 683° Btg. CC.NN. Par. "Ali d'Italia") is an infantry battalion of the Littorio Paratroopers Brigade.
The Battalion's task is, within the Brigade, to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver in order to destroy or capture the opponent, or in order to repel the enemy's assault by fire, close combat, and then counterattack. Additionally, the Battalion provides maneuver elements, seizes and defends terrain from the enemy, conducting independent operations at small scale, providing the anti-armour and mortar fire support for organic and attached units.
The Paratrooper Battalion depends on appropriate elements of the Littorio Brigade for supplemental transportation and medical support. It also depends on the 685th Paratrooper Artillery Blackshirts Group "Pugno di Ferro" for fire support teams and to provide support and coordination.
The 683rd Paratrooper Blackshirts Battalion "Ali d'Italia" consists of 680 Legionnaires:

• 683rd Command and Logistic Support Company "Ali d'Italia" (191 troops);
• 683-A Paratrooper Rifle Company "Vento" (134 troops);
• 683-B Paratrooper Rifle Company "Temporale" (134 troops);
• 683-C Paratrooper Rifle Company "Tempesta" (134 troops);
• 683rd Anti-Armour Company "Ali d'Italia" (87 troops).

684th Paratrooper Combat Sapper Engineer Blackshirts Battalion "Niccolò Giani"

Battalion coat of arms

The 684th Paratrooper Combat Sapper Engineer Blackshirts Battalion "Niccolò Giani" (Italian: 684° Battaglione Genio Guastatori Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Niccolò Giani", shortened 684° btg.g.gua.par. CC.NN. Par. "Niccolò Giani" is one of the specialist components of the Littorio Brigade.
The 684th Paratrooper Combat Sapper Engineer Blackshirts Battalion "Niccolò Giani" provides a baseline of engineer capabilities, which are augmented by capability and capacity from the Battalion. The Brigade staff identifies the required augmentation and coordinates its application. Additional engineering capabilities may be available and task-organized to augment the Brigade for various phases of the operation. The Combat Sapper Engineer Battalion provides capabilities for bridging, breaching, route clearance, explosive-hazards identification and disposal, and limited construction.
The Combat Sapper Engineer Battalion helps the Brigade commander to gain command and control over many of the attached enablers the Brigade receives: the Battalion has command and control of assigned and attached engineer companies and is assigned a military intelligence company (MICO), a signal company, and a CBRN reconnaissance platoon (located in the headquarters and headquarters company).
The 684th Paratrooper Sapper Engineer Blackshirts Battalion "Niccolò Giani" consists of:

• 684th Command and Logistic Support Company "Niccolò Giani"
• 621st Paratrooper Combat Sapper Engineer Company "Pantere"
• 622nd Paratrooper Combat Sapper Engineer Company "Leoni"
• 623rd Paratrooper Combat Sapper Engineer Company "Orsi"
• 624th Paratrooper Special Tools Company "Rinoceronti".

Numbers of the Companies of the Battalion follow historical numeration of the African War.

685th Paratrooper Artillery Blackshirts Group "Pugno di Ferro"

Group coat of arms

The 685th Paratrooper Artillery Blackshirts Group "Pugno di Ferro" (Italian: 685° Gruppo Artiglieria Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Pugno di Ferro", shortened 685° Gr. Art. CC.NN. Par. "Pugno di Ferro") has a specific role in supporting the maneuver commander. The organization of the each Group in support of the Brigade accomplishes this role.
The Paratrooper Artillery Group has the role of destroying, defeating, or disrupting the enemy with integrated fires to enable maneuver commanders to dominate in unified land operations. The Paratrooper Artillery Group also provides counterfire against enemy mortar, cannon, and rocket elements. The Group has an established command relationship, but the commander may assign a command or support relationship. The Group performs basic artillery tasks: deploy and conduct maneuver, develop intelligence, employ fires, perform sustainment, exercise mission command, and protect the force.
The 685th Paratrooper Artillery Blackshirts Group "Pugno di Ferro" consists of:

• 685th Paratrooper Command and Target Acquisition Battery "Pugno di Ferro";
• 685-A Paratrooper Battery "Spietata": six M119-series towed 105-mm howitzers;
• 685-B Paratrooper Battery "Disperata": six M119-series towed 105-mm howitzers;
• 685-C Paratrooper Battery "Rovinosa": six M777-series 155-mm towed howitzers.

A forward support company from the 688th Paratrooper Combat Maintenance Blackshirts Battalion "Mazzarini" provides additional logistical support.

686th Paratrooper Cavalry Blackshirts Squadrons Group "Avanguardia"

Squadrons Group coat of arms

The 686th Paratrooper Cavalry Blackshirts Squadrons Group "Avanguardia" is the cavalry unit of the Littorio Brigade. It ensures, thanks to its mobility characteristics, firepower and protection of forces, the availability of exploration skills (hidden and through combat), objectives acquisition, surveillance and targeted counter-actions. In addition, the Squadrons Group has, like all other Battalion-level units, a platoon of 20 "commando" paratroopers, whose task , in the air assault operations, is to act as a pathfinder unit. The 686th Paratrooper Cavalry Blackshirts Squadrons Group "Avanguardia" inherits the legacy of the M.V.S.N. Mounted Units.
The Squadrons Group's ability is to carry out all the typical missions of the cavalry - hidden exploration and through combat actions, device safety and protection of forces - in favor of the Paratroopers Brigade, both as a result of airborne operations and in land use with armoured-tracked vehicles. The Squadrons Group is asked to perform all the tactical activities already contemplated in the tasks assigned to a Squadrons Group of Line Cavalry, with priority for the Terrestrial Tactical Exploration activity, but in favor of the Paratroopers Brigade, in any scenario of employment and , in particular, in the context of air operations. Reconnaissance can be conducted in two forms, hidden (by stealth) and by combat actions (by fire). The Squadrons Group is able to intervene quickly from the third dimension by already having armoured vehicles that ensure good mobility, firepower and protection of forces.
The organization is heavier than the standard organization of the Light Cavalry Squadrons Groups:

• 686th Command and Logistic Support Squadron "Avanguardia";
• 686-A Reconnaissance Squadron "Impeto" (98 troops);
• 686-B Line Squadron "Ippogrifi" (113 troops);
• 686-C Line Squadron "Unicorni" (113 troops);
• 686-D Heavy Squadron "Avanguardia".

686-A Reconnaissance Squadron

The 686-A Reconnaissance Squadron is a pool of forces that can be used in the "advanced stage" for the conduct of hidden exploration and also aimed at guaranteeing the functions of armoured pathfinder. It can have air-balancing vehicles, with characteristics of high off-road mobility, high power and speed, reduced thermal, acoustic and seismic signatures. The Squadron has qualified TACP-FAC personnel, Laser Operators and a group of selected shooters, as well as a large number of paratroopers abilitated to HALO-HAHO.

686-B and 686-C Line Squadrons

The two Line Squadrons are dedicated to light exploration tasks, mainly - but not exclusively - oriented to operate within the "Assault Element" to be used in area exploration and surveillance activities, i.e. in activities in urbanized areas. The Line Squadrons are equipped with RSTA VTLM vehicles and enduro motorcycles, but also have terrestrial and aerial sensors, in order to be able to be effectively integrated into the ISTAR-EW system in the area of operations. Also here, as in the previous component, the presence of qualified TACP-FAC personnel, Laser Operator and of selected shooters, as well as personnel with peculiar specializations of an ancillary nature necessary for the execution of the mission is contemplated.

686-D Heavy Squadron

The 686-D Heavy Squadron is to arrange, in reserve or not, additional sources of fire for the needs of exploration through combat actions, as to allow the Brigade Commander to adequately reinforce devices deployed on the ground, or to have a suitable pawn for the opponent's contact/braking, for the control of large areas and for safety tasks.

687th Paratrooper Medical Blackshirts Battalion "Fulgor"

Battalion coat of arms

The 687th Paratrooper Medical Blackshirts Battalion "Fulgor" (Italian: 687° Battaglione Medico Camicie Nere Paracadutste "Fulgor", shortened 687° btg. m. CC.NN. par. "Fulgor") is the Brigade medical unit developed to furnish medical support for the Littorio Brigade. Its primary mission is to organize and conduct the necessary evacuation and medical care for casualties of the Brigade. Because of the high mobility of the Brigade, the installations of the Medical Battalion are of a temporary nature and possess increased readiness and ability to maintain contact with the different units of the Brigade. The Medical Battalion is thus charged with the evacuation of all casualties from the line units. If for any reason, casualties could not be gathered, the Collecting Companies remove casualties directly from the field.
The Medical Battalion is organized as a kind of ‘miniature’ medical organization in order to maintain the best operative coordination of all the existing facilities and to give flexibility to a possible expansion of the medical service when necessary. The Medical Battalion also controls Medical detachment operating within Infantry Battalions. The 687th Paratrooper Medical Blackshirts Battalion "Fulgor" consists of 291 Legionnaires:

• 687th Paratrooper Command and Logistic Company "Fulgor" (52 troops);
• 687th Paratrooper Collecting Company "Pietas" (107 troops);
• 687th Paratrooper Transportation Company "Fulgor" (132 troops).

687th Paratrooper Command and Logistic Company "Fulgor"

The 687th Paratrooper Command and Logistic Company "Fulgor" is an agency of command and control of the whole Battalion. The attached Chaplain is usually present at the Clearing Station. The normal functions of the Command and Logistic Company is the daily operation of activities necessary for the complete administration and maintenance of the Medical Battalion through such services as supply, mess and clerical duty. It further operates the medical distributing point. The Command and Logistic Company consists of 8 officers and 44 Subofficers and Troops.

687th Paratrooper Collecting Company "Pietas"

The 687th Paratrooper Collecting Company "Pietas" is the forward echelon of the Brigade medical service. It is the connecting links in the chain of evacuation between operating troops and the Clearing Station. Its mission is to remove evacuees from the field to the Transportation Company points, prepare evacuees for further evacuation and transport them to clearing station.
The Collecting Company is responsible for the collection of all casualties from the field, the temporary treatment of these casualties, and their evacuation to the Clearing Station.
The 687th Paratrooper Collecting Company "Pietas" consists of 107 Legionnaires (5 officers, 102 Subofficers and Troops). The Collecting Company consists of a Command, of a Collecting Platoon, and of a Treatment Platoon (emergency and intermediate treatment).

687th Paratrooper Transportation Company "Fulgor"

The 687th Paratrooper Transportation Company "Fulgor" operates Clearing Stations as necessary for the sorting and treatment of patients evacuated by the Collecting Company. Patients were prepared at the Clearing Stations for further evacuation to the rear.
Primary functions of the Transportation Company include receiving casualties by the Collecting Companies, sorting of casualties, administering appropriate treatment, providing temporary care and shelter, preparing appropriate medical records for the patients, operating and running th Brigade Dispensary, and performing guard duty for the Medical Battalion.
The 687th Paratrooper Transportation Company "Fulgor" consists of 132 Legionnaires (12 Officers, 120 Subofficers and Troops).

688th Paratrooper Combat Maintenance Blackshirts Battalion "Mazzarini"

The 688th Paratrooper Combat Maintenance Blackshirts Battalion "Mazzarini" (Italian: 688° Battaglione di Mantenimento Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Mazzarini" shortened 688° btg. mant. CC.NN. Par. "Mazzarini") is the maintenance unit in charge for the frontline repair and maintenance operations of the whole vehicle fleet of the Littorio Brigade, as well as for the maintenance of the Brigade's barracks and premises. In combat operations, the Combat Maintenance Battalion operates in coordination with the Logistic Battalion and, to a lesser extent, with the Combat Sapper Engineer Battalion. In addition, the Combat Maintenance Battalion has, like all other Battalion-level units, a platoon of 20 "commando" paratroopers, whose task , in the air assault operations, is to act as a pathfinder unit.
The 688th Paratrooper Combat Maintenance Blackshirts Battalion "Mazzarini" consists of:

• 688th Command and Services Company "Mazzarini"
• 688-A Maintenance Company;
• 688-B Maintenance Company.

689th Paratrooper Logistic Blackshirts Battalion "Littorio"

Battalion coat of arms

The 689th Paratrooper Logistic Blackshirts Battalion "Littorio" (Italian: 689° Battaglione Logistico Camicie Nere Paracadutiste "Littorio", shortened 689° btg. log. CC.NN. Par. "Littorio" is the unit of the Littorio Brigade devoted to logistics, maintenance, and supply. In addition, the Logistic Battalion has, like all other Battalion-level units, a platoon of 20 "commando" paratroopers, whose task , in the air assault operations, is to act as a pathfinder unit.
The Logistics Battalion's main functions are to provide specialist training for the logistics units, to execute logistical tasks and military operations, to prepare the reserve units and to provide military assistance to the active units on the battlefield when in combat. In addition to these tasks, the Battalion also supports and participates in the civil defence operations. The 689th Battalion is responsible for the logistical support units, preparing any deployed elements for out-of-country or overseas operation, their departure and sustainability.
The 689th Paratrooper Logistic Blackshirts Battalion "Littorio" consists of:

• 689th Command and Services Company "Littorio";
• 689-A Maintenance Company "Fortezza";
• 689-B Supply Company "Inesorabile";
• 689-C Medium Transport Company "Rullo".

All three operational companies are organised in order to enable constituent Platoons to operate relatively independently.

Littorio Brigade and Debalti's inner circle

The Littorio Brigade has been the cornerstone of the Debalti's political strength since late 1980s. The political proximity to the Duce of Italy allowed the Littorio Brigade to create its own "Littorio Movement" within established Regime branches. The "Littorio Movement" is made up of an umbrella of subdivisions of official branches led by former Littorio veterans or groups linked to the Brigade.

National Fascist Party

The Littorio Brigade lies within a political alliance within the National Fascist Party closely associated within the incumbent Duce of Italy, Italo Debalti. This alliance espouses Evolian and Radical Fascist views.

G.I.L.

The Littorio Brigade has historically strong alliances with the Italian Lictor Youth. The G.I.L. has organised since 1994 a specific sub-organization engaged in the "patriotic upbringing" of children, and to take them once they grow up, to the M.V.S.N. Many members of the Brigade-associated G.I.L., beginning in 2005, organized summer camps in the Littorio Brigade barracks.

See also

• M.V.S.N. (Kingdom of Italy)
• Italian National Royal Guard (Kingdom of Italy)
• 182nd Paratroopers Brigade Folgore (Kingdom of Italy)