Italian Forces

Decoration for a Young Fascist

General Bastico decorating a Young Fascist volounteer. The Young Fascists regiment was composed only by volounteers between 17 and 21 years old. One of their more famous battles was that of Bir el Gobi: "The GGFF [= Giovani Fascisti]... tasked to defend the small hill known as Bir el Gobi, they fought off repeated attacks by the 11th Indian Brigade and British 7th Armoured Division during the first week of December, 1941. Despite overwhelming odds, they inflicted massive casualties on the Allies and held their ground despite severe hunger and thirst" (John Gooch. Decisive campaigns of the Second World War). DVX