Commando

1940 · 12023 — Rome Italy.: Instituto Grafica Tiberino 1940. Soft cover. Fair. M.V.S.N. XVII ANNUALE. Commando Generale M.V.S.N. Large format 24 x 33cm soft cover yearbook of the MVSN. 1939 the 17th year of the Fascist Era. Fair condition with cover repairs. Illustrated soft cover no pagination numerous photographs and illustrations of the Fascist combat units and of their leader Benito Mussolini. The Milizia Voluntaria per la Securezza Nazionale was established as the squadristi in 1919 consisting of around 20000 disgruntled former soldiers by the time of Mussolini's March on Rome in 1922. On 1st February 1923 they became the MVSN and reached a total strength in excess of 300000. Members of the MVSN were more commonly known as the "Blackshirts" and although originally envisioned as reformers their methods became harsher as Mussolini's power grew and they used violence intimidation and murder against Mussolini's opponents. One of their distinctive techniques was the force feeding of castor oil often laced with petrol. The ethos and sometimes the uniform were later copied by others who shared Mussolini's political ideas including Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany who issued brown uniforms to the SA and black uniforms to the SS. The MVSN was disbanded following the Italian Armistice in 1943. Quite scarce in any condition. <br/> <br/> Instituto Grafica Tiberino paperback