Italian commando frogmen
Encyclopedia
COMSUBIN is the elite combat frogman
force and one of the Italian special forces
.
Italy
was the first nation to use frogmen and human torpedo
es. The Italian Naval Assault Divisions are considered to be the precursors to modern Naval Special Forces. Their record can be traced back to World War I and the operation against the Austrian-Hungarian Battleship Viribus Unitis
in Pola
Harbour in 1918. Other famous operations are Trieste, Suda Bay, Alexandria, Gibraltar, and Malta. Great Britain
and Germany
soon followed. Italy's frogman group originated in 1938 as the 1a Flottiglia Mezzi d'Assalto (1st Flotilla Assault Vehicles), which was reformed in 1940 as the Decima Flottiglia MAS
(10th Flotilla Assault Vehicles, X MAS).
It is a matter of pride that Italy's Naval Special Forces pre-date both the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Teams, formed in 1943 and forerunners of the better-known U.S. Navy SEALs
, and the British Royal Marines
Special Boat Service
formed as an offshoot of the Special Air Service
in 1941.
frogman operations.
After World War II
ended, the victors forbade Italy
from maintaining special operations personnel. The Decima Flottiglia MAS
was disbanded. But the training experience gathered during the war was not lost, but was preserved in units scattered across the new Marina Militare
.
COMSUBIN is currently based in three detachments near the Gulf of La Spezia
in the Liguria
region of north-west Italy
. In keeping with its traditions, the command has long been known for its acquisition and use of unconventional weapons and small arms, such as the Armalite AR-10
.
Some nations including Italy
have continued to make and keep human torpedo
es after 1945.
force, COMSUBIN is somewhat different in that it considers itself a naval specialisation. Perhaps the most storied task of COMSUBIN is the destruction of enemy naval assets, particularly by sea. However, COMSUBIN's six principal components (described below) all perform markedly different tasks each as essential as the other.
with air to 60 m, oxygen to 12 m, nitrox to 54 m, heliox
to 150 m, and to 300 m with a mini-submarine
or a special suit. Their task after World War II
was de-mining most of Italy's northern ports ravaged by years of war and full of magnetic mines and dangerous explosives and sunken ships. This they largely accomplished by 1949, letting Italy's economy get back on track relatively quickly. After WWII, they have performed de-mining operations across the world, especially in the Persian Gulf
, the former Yugoslavia
, and Albania
. A detachment of them operates off an Italian Navy minesweeper
. Also, they specialise in rescuing navy personnel from stricken submarine
s.
therapy by civilians needing this treatment.
and Firefighting forces.
Raiders are composed of volunteer officers and non-commissioned officers with an average age of 29 who are capable of:-
After a member has qualified as a Raider, he may take up a number of specialisations including:
Former COMSUBIN Raiders may join other branches of the elite unit to continue serving the Navy or may join other parts of the military as instructors.
The Italian Government has never acknowledged their participation in deep-penetration sabotage missions.
Frogman
A frogman is someone who is trained to scuba diving or swim underwater in a military capacity which can include combat. Such personnel are also known by the more formal names of combat diver or combatant diver or combat swimmer....
force and one of the Italian special forces
Italian special forces
The Italian Special Forces include special forces units from several branches of the Italian Military: the Esercito Italiano or Army, the Marina Militare or Navy, the Aeronautica Militare or Air force and l'Arma dei Carabinieri...
.
Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
was the first nation to use frogmen and human torpedo
Human torpedo
Human torpedoes or manned torpedoes are a type of rideable submarine used as secret naval weapons in World War II. The basic design is still in use today; they are a type of diver propulsion vehicle....
es. The Italian Naval Assault Divisions are considered to be the precursors to modern Naval Special Forces. Their record can be traced back to World War I and the operation against the Austrian-Hungarian Battleship Viribus Unitis
SMS Viribus Unitis
SMS Viribus Unitis was the first Austro-Hungarian dreadnought battleship of the . Its name, meaning "With United Forces", was the personal motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I.Viribus Unitis was ordered by the Austro-Hungarian navy in 1908...
in Pola
Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 62,080 .Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing,...
Harbour in 1918. Other famous operations are Trieste, Suda Bay, Alexandria, Gibraltar, and Malta. Great Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
soon followed. Italy's frogman group originated in 1938 as the 1a Flottiglia Mezzi d'Assalto (1st Flotilla Assault Vehicles), which was reformed in 1940 as the Decima Flottiglia MAS
Decima Flottiglia MAS
The Decima Flottiglia MAS was an Italian commando frogman unit of the Regia Marina created during the Fascist regime.The acronym MAS also refers to various light torpedo boats used by the Regia Marina during World...
(10th Flotilla Assault Vehicles, X MAS).
It is a matter of pride that Italy's Naval Special Forces pre-date both the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Teams, formed in 1943 and forerunners of the better-known U.S. Navy SEALs
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
, and the British Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
Special Boat Service
Special Boat Service
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. Together with the Special Air Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group they form the United Kingdom Special Forces and come under joint control of the same Director Special...
formed as an offshoot of the Special Air Service
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
in 1941.
Chronology
See Operations of X MAS for Italian wartimeWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
frogman operations.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended, the victors forbade Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
from maintaining special operations personnel. The Decima Flottiglia MAS
Decima Flottiglia MAS
The Decima Flottiglia MAS was an Italian commando frogman unit of the Regia Marina created during the Fascist regime.The acronym MAS also refers to various light torpedo boats used by the Regia Marina during World...
was disbanded. But the training experience gathered during the war was not lost, but was preserved in units scattered across the new Marina Militare
Marina Militare
The Italian Navy is the navy of the Italian Republic. It is one of the four branches of military forces of Italy; formed in 1946, from what remained of the Regia Marina . As of 2008, the Italian Navy had 35,200 active personnel with 180 commissioned ships, 19 Floating Docks, and 123 aircraft...
.
- 1954: ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
joined the North Atlantic CouncilNorth Atlantic CouncilNorth Atlantic Council is the most senior political governing body of NATO established by Article 9 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The NAC can be held at the Permanent Representative Level , or can be composed of member states' Ministers of State, Defense, or Heads of Government. The NAC has the...
and the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. The Allied Powers relented. The Decima Flottiglia MAS was reformed, and had various names as the years passed. - 1960: Its name was settled as Commando Raggruppamento Subacquei ed Incursori Teseo Tesei (Teseo Tesei Diver and Raider Command Group, COMSUBIN) after Major Teseo Tesei.
COMSUBIN is currently based in three detachments near the Gulf of La Spezia
La Spezia
La Spezia , at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria region of northern Italy, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. Located between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military...
in the Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
region of north-west Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. In keeping with its traditions, the command has long been known for its acquisition and use of unconventional weapons and small arms, such as the Armalite AR-10
AR-10
The AR-10 is an American 7.62 mm battle rifle developed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s at ArmaLite, then a division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation...
.
Some nations including Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
have continued to make and keep human torpedo
Human torpedo
Human torpedoes or manned torpedoes are a type of rideable submarine used as secret naval weapons in World War II. The basic design is still in use today; they are a type of diver propulsion vehicle....
es after 1945.
Components
Though technically referred to as a special operationsSpecial operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
force, COMSUBIN is somewhat different in that it considers itself a naval specialisation. Perhaps the most storied task of COMSUBIN is the destruction of enemy naval assets, particularly by sea. However, COMSUBIN's six principal components (described below) all perform markedly different tasks each as essential as the other.
The Operational Raider Group
The Operational Raider Group (Gruppo Operativo Incursori) is a unit of some 150-200 men and may be considered the force most closely associated with naval special operations by the popular imagination. The Raiders have four specific assignments that they are expected to complete; including:- Attacks on naval and merchant ships while in port or in activity using a multitude of different weapons systems.
- Attacks on port and/or coastal civilian and military installations and infrastructure up to 40 km from the coast.
- Counter-terrorism operations especially on ships and dedicated to the liberation of hostages.
- Infiltration and long-term stays in hostile territory for reconnaissance and/or long-range naval targeting missions.
The Operational Divers Group
The Operational Divers Group (Gruppo Operativo Subacquei) has 200 or so personnel specialised in free-divingRebreather
A rebreather is a type of breathing set that provides a breathing gas containing oxygen and recycled exhaled gas. This recycling reduces the volume of breathing gas used, making a rebreather lighter and more compact than an open-circuit breathing set for the same duration in environments where...
with air to 60 m, oxygen to 12 m, nitrox to 54 m, heliox
Heliox
Heliox is a breathing gas composed of a mixture of helium and oxygen .Heliox has been used medically since the 1930s, and although the medical community adopted it initially to alleviate symptoms of upper airway obstruction, its range of medical uses has since expanded greatly, mostly because of...
to 150 m, and to 300 m with a mini-submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
or a special suit. Their task after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was de-mining most of Italy's northern ports ravaged by years of war and full of magnetic mines and dangerous explosives and sunken ships. This they largely accomplished by 1949, letting Italy's economy get back on track relatively quickly. After WWII, they have performed de-mining operations across the world, especially in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, the former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, and Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. A detachment of them operates off an Italian Navy minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
. Also, they specialise in rescuing navy personnel from stricken submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s.
The Special Naval Group
The Special Naval Group (Gruppo Navale Speciale) supports and moves the Raiders and the Divers, with the aid of five specialist ships: the PROTEO, ANTEO, CAVEZZALE, MARINO, and PEDRETTI.- ProteoProteusIn Greek mythology, Proteus is an early sea-god, one of several deities whom Homer calls the "Old Man of the Sea", whose name suggests the "first" , as protogonos is the "primordial" or the "firstborn". He became the son of Poseidon in the Olympian theogony In Greek mythology, Proteus (Πρωτεύς)...
, AnteoAntaeusAntaeus in Greek and Berber mythology was a half-giant, the son of Poseidon and Gaia, whose wife was Tinjis. Antaeus had a daughter named Alceis or Barce.-Mythology:...
, and Pietro Cavezzale are specialised in supporting Diver operations and in particular rescue of or from submarines in distress. - Proteo specialises in assisting diver operations to a depth of 150 m.
- Anteo carries a mini-submarine for submarine-rescue operations to a depth of 600 m.
- Mario Marino and Alcide Pedretti are speedboats dedicated to supporting Raider operations.
The Study Centre Group
The Study Centre Group (Raggruppamento Centro Studi) keeps the entire unit up-to-date with the latest equipment and technological advances in specialist fields. It is divided into four major sections: Arms and Explosives, Materials and Raider Vehicles, Submarine Experimental Materials, and Submarine Human Physiology. All Italian Navy doctors specialise at the Submarine Human Physiology section (in Naval submarine pathology). The centre has a hyperbaric chamber often used for decompressionDecompression
Decompression has several meanings:* Decompression , the release of pressure and the opposition of physical compression* Decompression sickness, a condition arising from the precipitation of dissolved gases into bubbles inside the body on depressurization* Decompression , a procedure used to treat...
therapy by civilians needing this treatment.
The School Group
The School Group (Gruppo Scuole) is the Diver School and the Raider School and trains all raiders and divers, and trains non-COMSUBIN personnel in special tasks such as Diver Obstacle Demolition for San Marco Regiment members (the Italian Navy's Marine Regiment), and divers for other Italian State bodies such as the PolicePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
and Firefighting forces.
The Logistics Group
The crucial Logistics Group (Gruppo Logistico) is responsible for maintenance operations of all kinds and for the health and well-being of all COMSUBIN members.Operational capability
COMSUBIN (Comando Subacquei Incursori) is first and foremost a secret special operations unit. Its membership is a fairly well-guarded secret. Estimates put the number of active COMSUBIN men at around 700.Raiders are composed of volunteer officers and non-commissioned officers with an average age of 29 who are capable of:-
- surface and under-water swimming
- use of naval units
- assault on stationary and moving naval units
- Deployment from helicopters through various means
- movement during day and night in unknown and rocky terrain
- Deployment from submarines while underwater and on surface
- use of automatic and commanded parachute
- use of arms, explosives and special weapons
- capability to reside in unknown hostile territory for long-term
- use of various land vehicles
After a member has qualified as a Raider, he may take up a number of specialisations including:
- Free Fall Parachutist
- Mountain Guide
- aerial photography analyst
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- Launch Director
- Military Mountain Troop Instructor
- Naval and Submarine Photographer
Former COMSUBIN Raiders may join other branches of the elite unit to continue serving the Navy or may join other parts of the military as instructors.
Overseas Deployment
COMSUBIN Raiders have been deployed to these places:-- Adriatic SeaAdriatic SeaThe Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
, inspecting merchant navy ships due to UN embargoEmbargoAn embargo is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is...
against the former YugoslavSocialist Federal Republic of YugoslaviaThe Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
republics. - AlbaniaAlbaniaAlbania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, mostly to escort and patrol missions. - LebanonLebanonLebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, mostly to escort and patrol missions. - Persian GulfPersian GulfThe Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, inspecting merchant navy ships due to UN embargoEmbargoAn embargo is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is...
against IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. - RwandaRwandaRwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, evacuating Westerners from missionaryMissionaryA missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
outposts during the bitter civil war in Rwanda in 1994-95. - SomaliaSomaliaSomalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, mostly to escort and patrol missions. - AfghanistanAfghanistanAfghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, in support of ISAFInternational Security Assistance ForceThe International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
. - IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, in support of Antica Babilonia (the Italian contingent of Multinational forceMultinational force in IraqThe Multi-National Force – Iraq was a military command, led by the United States, which was responsible for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Multi-National Force – Iraq replaced the previous force, Combined Joint Task Force 7, on 15 May 2004, and was later itself reorganized into its successor, United...
)
The Italian Government has never acknowledged their participation in deep-penetration sabotage missions.
Sub-machine guns
- Beretta M12
- H&K MP5
- H&K MP7http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?80061-Italian-Small-Arms-Inventory
Assault rifles
- Beretta AR70/90Beretta AR70/90The Beretta AR70/90 is a gas operated self loading assault rifle chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge, and is the standard issue service rifle of the Italian Armed Forces. The weapon also features grenade sights, and is designed to be fitted with a rifle grenade...
- Colt M4
- H&K HK416
- HK G41Heckler & Koch G41The G41 is a German 5.56mm assault rifle introduced in 1981 and produced in limited quantities by Heckler & Koch. It was designed to replace the 5.56mm HK33 in service providing a more modern weapon platform compatible with contemporary NATO standards. It is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO...
, license-manufactured by Luigi Franchi S.p.A.
Grenade launchers
- M203 grenade launcherM203 grenade launcherThe M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
- H&K AGS 40mm grenade launcher