Alpine Riflemen Medal for the campaign in Ethiopia, Italy

The original medal is in good collector's condition. Heavy metal, stamping, silvering. Quite rare. Guarantee of authenticity.

Alpine riflemen are military units (formations) in the Italian and French, and in the period limited by the beginning of the first and the end of the Second World Wars, and the German armies, designed to conduct combat operations in mountainous terrain. Traditionally, they are equipped with residents of mountainous areas, and are supplied with special equipment and weapons.

Alpine shooters of Italy appeared before all mountain shooters in the world — in 1872. During the First World War, 80 battalions were formed to conduct year-round combat operations in the Alps. After the war, most of them were disbanded. During World War II, three Italian Alpine divisions operated on the Eastern Front. The divisions were sent by the German command to the front near Stalingrad. In the conditions of the open steppe, not having sufficient anti-tank weapons, the divisions suffered high losses from the actions of Soviet tanks. In 1968, the Italian ground forces had two mountain infantry divisions, five separate Alpine brigades and several Alpine battalions (groups).