In the hectic weeks following the dismissal of il Duce and the flight behind Allied lines of King Victor Emmanuel and Marshal Badoglio (Mussolini's successor), the partisans in several northern valleys proclaimed independent antifascist republics, expelled German and Fascist troops from within their boundaries, and set up local governments.
These partisan republics only lasted for a few days to two months at best. One of the more notable was the Repubblica dell'Ossola, centered around Domodossola in the valleys south of the Simplon Pass. Again, this assortment of clothing and gear is representative of what might have been worn. Interestingly, the Ossolani were well organized and even devised a somewhat unique official uniform of their own (more on this later). The items shown in the picture include:
1. Moschetto Automatico Beretta 38/44 - Beretta 38/44 SMG
2. Fondina e pistol Beretta 34 - Holster and Beretta 34 pistol
3. Mostrine rosse con stelle alpine - Red collar insignia with edelweiss pins
4. Giacca del R.E. - Italian army jacket
5. Granate a mano - Hand grenades )German)
6. Cinta - Belt
7. Camicia inglese - British shirt
8. Copricapo Alpino - Alpino hat
9. Sottovestiti di lana - Wool underwear
10. Scarponi - Boots
11. Calzini di lana - Wool socks
12. Fazzoletto rosso - Red neckerchief
13. Pantaloni mimetici - Camouflage trousers
14. Sigarette - Cigarettes (American)
15. Giberne - Ammo pouches
Italians were among the first adopters of printed fabric camouflage, known as Telo Mimetico. These trousers were likely of German origin but made using camo cloth appropriated from Italian warehouses.
Some sources describe the partisans of northwestern Italy as being largely non-communist, however the red neckerchief suggests otherwise.
Brigate Garibaldi were organized primarily by the Italian Communist Party and for the most part were populated by communists, socialists, and anarchists. Garibaldi was a central figure in the formation of a unified Italy during the middle of the Nineteenth century. To some extent, this partisan force descends from the Garibaldi Brigades that the communists sent to Spain to fight along side their Spanish comrades during the war against Franco's forces in the 1930s.
Again, this is just a plausible sample of how a Garibaldino might be outfitted. Much of the partisan's clothing and gear consists of items collected on the battlefield or received from the OSS or SOE.
1. Beretto R.E. con stella rossa - Italian army hat with red star
1a. Colbaco con stella rossa - Winter hat with red star
2. Fazzoletto rosso - Red neckerchief (color usually indicates communist partisan)
3. Giacca Militare - Military style jacket
4. Pistola Walther P38 - Walther P38 9mm pistol (German)
5. Fondina - Holster
6. Mitra Thompson - Thompson submachine gun
7. Stivali - Boots
8. Calzini - Socks
9. Pantaloni X Mas, preda di guerra - Captured X Mas trousers
10. Maglione a colo alto - Turtleneck sweater
11. Giberne - Ammo pouches
12. Pipa e tabacco - Pipe and tobacco
13. Borraccia e gavetta - Canteen and cup (German)
14. Gradi di Commandante di Divisione - Insignia of a Division Commander
15. Cinta - Belt
16. Coltello pieghevole - Folding pocket knife
