European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 24, 1948, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sherman tanks were part of equipment inherited by italian army in Post armistice shuffle which let them continue War paratroopers Seldom employed in civil defense crises were mobilized with sailors airmen policemen on election Day. Mounted trumpeters of Carabiniero armed police played As troops paraded through streets of Rome. Italy s army intended under armistice terms Only for internal defense now totals 150,000, government almost a year ago. At that time the United states and great Britain had decided to Supply Italy with their surplus War weapons to insure according to the Mission s report a continued influence on the italian nation and its army. Officially it was created As an internal military police Force. It now constitutes the most important strength in the Mediterranean area. The Parade As a pre election event was a tactful warning to Italy s extreme rightist and leftist elements that the Middle of the Road Alcide de Gasperi government had behind it the Loyal support of its army. After the armistice the ranks of Mussolini s fascist army were swelled by communist partisans who fought Side by Side with fascists under Allied command. Many military observers counting on the Strong nationalistic feelings of the italian people believed that even communists in the army would react against any pressure group from outside the country and that the politically divergent ranks could not easily be split. Greatest drawback they Felt to the performance of the italian army is the inefficiency of troops who joined too late to Benefit from Allied wartime training. This inefficiency is augmented by a general condition of poor pay an italian brigadier general receives Only 22,643 lire $40 a month. In the face of these potential sources of trouble the government in calling out the army in pre election Parade demonstrated its own Confidence in its control of the armed forces. _ _ Meme Al looking Itaman Field a leery pie contrast sharply with the Kest of the italian army s up to Date equipment weekend april it 1948