Poland, Second Republic; Italy, Kingdom. Three Awards

Includes:

1. Poland, Second Republic: Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino (Pamiątkowy Krzyż Monte Cassino). Instituted in 1944. In patinated bronze, designed in the form of a cross bearing a plaque in the centre, obverse with the plaque inscribed in Polish "MONTE CASSINO MAJ 1944", (Monte Cassino / May 1944), reverse numbered "49" over "581" (49,581) on the plaque, measuring 41 mm (w) x 40.5 mm (h), original ribbon.

2. Italy, Kingdom: Meeting of the Littorio, Royal Aero Club of Italy at Rome Medal, August 24-30, 1935 (Raduno del Littorio, Regio Aero Club d'Italia a Roma Medaglia). Instituted in 1935. Two-piece construction, in silvered bronze, obverse illustrating a large wing backed by a pillar supporting a Capitoline wolf, surrounded by the inscription "PADVNO DEL LITTORIO", reverse illustrating the Royal Aero Club insignia consisting of a shield surmounted by an eagle and the Royal crown, surrounded by the inscription "REALE AERO CLVB D'ITALIA / ROMA.24.30.AGOSTO.1935.VIII", measuring 37.3 mm (w) x 41.3 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, with loop.

3. Italy Kingdom: 184th Airborne Division Nembo Medal (Medaglia Nembo della 184a divisione aviotrasportata). In bronze gilt, obverse illustrating two paratroopers running leftward, another paratrooper having just landed at the far left, with other paratroopers parachuting and planes in flight in the background, inscribed " "NEMBO" " below and engraver marked "S. GAZZANICA", reverse illustrating an upward-pointing sword fronting a stylized flame, surrounded by the inscription "E PER RINCALZO IL CUORE NEMBO", measuring 27.3 mm (w) x 31 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension.

Together, better than very fine.

Footnote:

1. The Commemorative Cross of Monte Cassino is a commemorative medal awarded to all soldiers of the Polish II Corps who fought in the battle of Monte Cassino and the battles for Piedimonte and Passo Corno. After the capture of Monte Cassino in May 1944, the Polish government-in-exile (in London) created a campaign cross to commemorate the role of the Polish II Corps (often known as Anders Army) in capturing this strategic point, which had long blocked the Allied advance up the Italian peninsula. A consignment of 50,000 crosses was ordered from a manufacturer in Tel Aviv, then part of British-ruled Palestine, where the Polish forces had spent part of 1942 and almost all of 1943 in training.

2. In 1911, the Societa Aeronautica Italiana (SAI = Aeronautical Society of Italy) was dissolved and reconstituted as the Aero Club d'Italia (AeCI = Aero Club of Italy) with the members passing from the one to the other. The Aero Club d'Italia retained the SAI's affiliates at Rome, Milan, and Turin, and its affiliation with the international FAI. The SAI Sezione di Roma immediately became the Aero Club di Roma. The AeCI continued to publish the Revista Tecnica d'Aeronautica published by its predecessor. His Majesty King Vittorio Emanuele III was the high patron of the AeCI and its first president was the Potenziani Prince Ludovico. In 1911 there were nearly 200 members, including 50 founding members. The first "La Navigazione Aerea" for Italian aeronautics was published by the AeCI October-November 1912. Regulations per the Commissione Sportiva Centrale were approved December 1912. It appears that under the authority of the Supreme Army Command, the AeCI held aerial events across Italy in April and May 1916. In 1927, the club's name was changed to Reale Aero Club d'Italia (Royal Aero Club of Italy).

3. 184th Airborne Division Nembo (184th Divisione Paracadutisti Nembo) was an airborne division of the Italian Army during the Second World War. The Nembo was formed in December 1942 from the 185 Parachute Regiment of the 185 Airborne Division Folgore. The 185 Parachute Regiment was sent to northeastern Italy to fight Yugoslav partisans, and was later sent to Sicily, where it fought against the Allied invasion there. It also fought on the mainland when Sicily was evacuated. The rest of the division was sent to Sardinia in June 1943. After the Italian surrender, a significant part of the Nembo went over to the German side, eventually becoming the basis of the 4th Fallschirmjäger Division.