185th Parachutist Division "Folgore"
            186th Parachutist Rgt
                  5th Parachutist bn
                  6th Parachutist bn
                  7th Parachutist bn
            187th Parachutist Rgt
                  2nd Parachutist bn (from 185th Parachutist Rgt)
                  4th Parachutist bn (from 185th Parachutist bn)
                  9th Parachutist bn
                  10th Parachutist bn
            186th Parachutist Artillery Rgt
                  1st Parachutist Arty bn (47L32)
                  3rd Parachutist Arty bn (47L32)
            8th Parachutist Guastatori bn

Operation Lightfoot launched on October 24, 1942, was designed to break through the supposed "weak" Italian-held southern sector of the Alamein line where the Bologna, Brescia, Folgore and Pavia Divisions anchored the right flank. The British attack began with a devastating artillery barrage, followed by an all out assault by the 7th Armored and 44th Infantry divisions. However, all that was achieved by the Commonwealth at a high cost of life and equipment was a small lodgment, which was soon to be regained. In the following assaults between October 25 and November 4, 1942 units such as the 50th, 7th, 44th divisions, 1st and 2nd Free French and the Royal Hellenic Brigades, supported by artillery and armor, had not broken nor would they break through the southern sector. The Folgore used all the means at their disposal including the tactic of letting the enemy advance into a "cul-de-sac" and then counterattacking from all sides. They also used their 47mm AT guns from enfilade positions and Molotov cocktails to knock out even Matildas and Grants. In the initial British assault alone the Folgore had managed to destroy over 120 armored vehicles, inflicting over 600 casualties.

The British soon learned that they were facing a completely different Italian soldier from the one they were used to fighting during the 2 years in Lybia and Cyrenaica. Therefore they had to study new tactics to deal with the Folgore's men. Even the Australians and the New Zealanders, who were considered the most dangerous soldiers in the Commonwealth, had an extremely hard time. The Italian paratroopers demonstrated a very aggressive attitude and initiative: they always preferred attack rather than defense.

Rommel himself and Ramcke, commander of the German Green Devils (excellent paratroopers who took Crete months before) were worried to risk too much such an important unit like the Folgore and suggested more prudence.

They were called "Lions" by their enemys leader Churchill during a speech in the House of Commons in London after the victory at El Alamein.

Folgore being the new name of the Great Unit, was initially commanded by Gen. Francesco Sapienza, then relieved by Gen. Enrico Frattini. The basic training was carried out both in Tuscany and Lazio regions up to May 42, then they moved south to Puglie for the advanced training, keeping in mind the foreseen mass airdrop on Malta island codenamed operation "C3". 
 
The excessive faith placed in the victories of Rommel and the fall of Tobruk privileged the Egypt-oriented operations, therefore the action onto Malta about which the paratroopers trained so long was canceled, denying so the Division its right to be fully employed in a wartime air drop. On July '42 the Army Staff decided to deploy the Division in Northern Africa, but the Paratroops rejoiced very little, almost at once they realized that the chance for a future drop was scarce. But some hope survived. 
 
The Division was re-christianized " 185 Paratroop Division Folgore", this name deriving from Latin motto " ex alto Fluor" like lightning from above", The reorganization involved its regiments too, that became 185, 186 and 187, with the Artillery and support retaining the 185 number. The Army Staff ordered the 185 reg. To stay back in motherland, as hard core of a second Para Div. They wanted to set up. 185 had to release from under its command 4 and 5 Para Battalions. To 187 Reg., retaining so only 3 Para Battalion. From now on, Folgore bit by bit started to redeploy its units to North Africa, partly by air- from Lecce airfield- and partly by sea via the Balkans.
 
The first unit to touch the African soil was 4/187 Para, CO Ltc, Bechi Luserna, reaching Fuka on 18 Jul., shortly followed by other units. For secrecy reasons paratroopers were ordered neither to wear the wings, nor any other patch and badge capable of having them identified by the enemy. It was a great sacrifice indeed, bittered by another and the order coming from Rome to give back all the jump kits, The last hope of an airdrop so vanished.

The British demanded several times for the Folgore to surrender, using powerful megaphones, "You are brave soldiers, surrender and you will have the honor of the arms, continue to fight and you will be destroyed! You have no chance to resist!" And each time, louder and louder, the paratroopers answer was their assault yell: "Folgore!!!".

All of this ended on November 6th, when the last organized group commanded by Colonel Camosso and Major Zanninovich, surrounded by British tanks, finished its ammunition reserves. The officers ordered all the weapons to be destroyed, and still some refused to surrender, all the survivors lined up standing to attention waving no white flags.

Some eyes cried silently, but they were strong mens tears. The British ceased to fire and were looking at this touching scene with admiration. From an initial strength of 5.000, only 306 paratroopers officers included were still alive.

CARATTERISTICHE MODELLO 1938A

TIPO :	Arma automatica individuale
CALIBRO :	9 x 19 mm
LUNGHEZZA :	946 mm
LUNGHEZZA CANNA :	315 mm
PESO :	4,97 Kg (arma carica)
CARICATORE :	Astuccio bifilare da 10-20-30-40 colpi
CELERITÀ DI TIRO TEORICA :	600 colpi/min
VELOCITÀ INIZIALE :	420 m/sec

"During my long life as a soldier, Ive never met such valiant men as the Folgores paratroopers" -British officer after WW2