Read that once when there were so many Italian POW´s after the early phase of fighting in Africa Churchill had mentioned that volunteers of these should form the "Garibaldi legion" which would fight with the British troops against Mussolini´s army.

Did this ever take place? Anyone know?

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Kai,
The Italian 22nd Infantry Division was known as "Garibaldi's Volunteers"

A "Guiseppe Garibaldi" Brigade (Legion-Regiment?) formed part of the Fascist Italian Army after Sept 1943, I dont suppose Churchill organised this one.

A Garibaldi Bde fought in Spain.

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Whe're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful wizard of OZ - 6 Australian Infantry Div, Bardia January 1941

I looked further and cant find any approaches to Italian POW until after Italy Surrendered.

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Whe're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful wizard of OZ - 6 Australian Infantry Div, Bardia January 1941

Yes, this is true.

According to my resources a special mission was designed by the war office in London.

The mission included the recruiting of SOE operatives that were trained in close combat and explosives in England and then send in North Africa to recruit Italian POWs.

But there was one slight problem. No one new Italian so the team of operatives was sent carying English-Italian dictionaries.

As you can understand the mission was a complete failure because no Italian showed any interest in joining the team.

So the team of operatives was about to be dismandled, but a new need arose for them to go to Yugoslavia and convince the Prince not to sign the Tripartie Treaty.

Again when they arrived it was too late.

/RNA

Thanx alot, RNA!

Nice to see some old threads can come back alive....

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