| Place | Europe: Italy |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P02726.003 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white, Landscape |
| Physical description | Black & white, Landscape |
| Date made | 27 March 1939 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Milan, Italy. 27 March 1939. Italian soldiers of the reserve class 1901 marching through the ...
Description
Milan, Italy. 27 March 1939. Italian soldiers of the reserve class 1901 marching through the streets, have been called up for active service. All Italian male citizens were legally liable for military service from the age of eighteen to fifty-five and prior to the war undertook pre-military training. Some of these went on to serve in the active army, the remainder were listed as reserves. There was also a system of dividing all males into classes according to their year of birth, which means that the reserve class 1901 would be men of similar age. Note the soldiers are wearing the grey/green pantaloons, the greatcoats and the side caps known as bustinas. (Donor R. Trye)