The formation of a so-called Assault Regiment in the Italian Air Force is
announced in an article in the Popolo d'Italia of 2 May 1943.
* * *
The first Assault Regiment of the Italian Air Force, which bears the
glorious name of Amedeo D'Aosta has been very recently established, and already one
of its units has had its baptism of fire on the Tunisian front. Employed at a
particularly critical moment, and for tasks which went beyond the limits of their
specific training, the parachutists of the Italian Air Force have worked
unstintingly, with great enthusiasm and a very high spirit of sacrifice.
This regiment is designed to operate in areas and sectors solely of air
interest, and its tasks are essentially concerned with offensive and defensive
actions in connection with installations, equipment, and services which are
primarily for the air force. It also has organizing tasks, still for the air force, and
generally concerned with the immediate reorganization of airfields abandoned by,
or captured from, the enemy.
The Regiment consists of the regimental headquarters, the "Loreto"
Battalion, a parachute battalion, and a depot company.
The regimental headquarters in addition to the normal duties and functions
of similar units, such as administration, discipline, morale and general training,
the employment of the personnel, and the care of material issued to units or of
individual equipment, is responsible for directing the special training of the
regiment with a view to the particular tasks which each of its units has to carry out;
for ensuring the correct and complete application of the guiding principles issued
by the higher authorities in order that the special methods of employment of the
units may be applied in the best possible manner; for coordinating in the tactical
sphere the employment of the several units in order that each may function
smoothly, in particular when the operations of the various units have to be
coordinated; and finally, for studying in the light of experience any matters which
might improve the organization and efficiency of the units under its command,
always from the standpoint of the tasks allotted to these units.
The "Loreto" Battalion is normally airborne and is responsible for
garrisoning and defending airfields already occupied by Italian units or at any
rate evacuated by the enemy; for organizing all the technical services of the
airfield, making use of, and reconditioning, existing installations wherever possible
in order to make the airfield operational; and for organizing all the supply and
administrative services which are essential to the life and functioning of an airfield
The parachute battalion, normally dropped from the air, restores to use
the landing area at occupied enemy airfields; cooperates with units of the other
services in the defense of the airfield, and organizes the necessary services with
makeshift material pending the arrival of elements for manning and equipping the
base.
The personnel of the "Loreto" Battalion may be obtained from volunteers
or may be drafted to the unit. The standard of physical fitness is that normally
required for conscript service with the colors. Only volunteers, on the other hand,
may join the parachute battalion.