Italian Ice Cross Medal – Expeditionary Corps In Russia

Product Description: WWII Italian Ice Cross medal “C.S.I.R.” (Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia). Instituted in 1942. Zinc alloy and white enamels, measuring 43 mm (w) x 49.8 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, no chipping in the white enamels on the arms of the cross, original ribbon. This WWII Italian Ice Cross medal is in excellent plus condition.

Historical Description: The CSIR was formed in an attempt to provide a somewhat mobile unit to fight on a front where mobility was key. Two of the divisions were truck-moveable and one was a celere (fast) division, drawn from the reserve Army of the Po but this was more on paper than in reality. The CSIR was created by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini to show solidarity with NSDAP Germany after German dictator Adolf launched Operation Barbarossa and attacked the Soviet Union. Mussolini created the CSIR, despite the lack of enthusiasm shown by Adolf H, on 10 July 1941 and between July and August 1941, the units of the CSIR arrived in southern Russia. The CSIR included an Aviation Command (Comando Aviazione) with a limited number of fighters, bombers and transport aircraft. This command was part of the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) and was also known as the Expeditionary Air Corps in Russia (Corpo Aereo Spedizione in Russia). The CSIR was initially subordinated to the German 11th Army (General Eugen Ritter von Schobert). On 14 August 1941, the CSIR was transferred to the control of German Panzer Group 1 (General Ewald von Kleist). On 25 October 1941, Panzer Group 1 was renamed the 1st Panzer Army. The CSIR remained under von Kleist’s command until 3 June 1942 when it was subordinated to the German 17th Army (General Richard Ruoff).

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