Description:
The Combat Engineers came about as a branch of the Combat Engineering arising during the Second World War resulting from the necessity to have a unit specialised in assaulting enemy positions and as a support for the infantry unit, particularly during the preparations for attacks.
History:
In July 1940, Colonel Piero Steiner was designated to set up the first specialised school in Civitavecchia. Basing himself on the experiences and organisation of the “Sturmpionieren” (the German assault pioneers) and on the Arditi Assault Units of the First World War (such that initially they thought of calling them “Assault Engineers”), Steiner decided to use the term “Combat Engineer” which traces its eighteenth century origins of the Savoy Army. On the 10th August 1940 the first of the two two-month courses which would have “licensed” the many volunteers who enrolled in this new school and who would then be enlisted in three battalions (XXX, XXXI, XXXII) as well as other minor units. These battalions basked in glory following the campaign in North Africa and on the Easter Front, where they even gained respect and admiration both from the allied troops as well as the enemy. To the soldiers who passed the course, besides being given the licence, they were also given a badge in the shape of a golden gladius (symbol of honour and courage) bearing the Savoy motto “FERT” on the guard; the body of the grenade was black with golden protrusions, whilst the flames were red. It seems that there was an enamelled metal version as well as an embroidered one on a green oval which was sewn on the left arm sleeve.