ASCARI ERITREA 1935

The Eritrean Ascarias are soldiers who are indigenous peoples of Eritrea - a colony conquered by the Kingdom of Italy at the end of the 19th century. These troops served in the Italian Royal Corps of Colonial Forces (owned by Regio Corpo di Truppe Coloniali) in the period 1889-1941. These troops were treated as regular troops and were used primarily in African territories as order and occupation forces, but also as troops most capable of fighting in the front lines. The Ascarsian troops were seen as the best of all the Italian colonial forces, and their fighting qualities and personal courage were compared to the Gurkha servants of the British army. They were also characterized by high morale and loyalty to Italy. During World War II The Eritrean Ascarias served primarily in East Africa, taking part in the Battles of Cheren and Amba-Alagi. Interestingly, many Askaris, despite the Italian surrender in Ethiopia and Eritrea in 1941, continued to fight in the Italian guerrilla warfare in these areas. It is worth adding that after World War II, many of these great soldiers took part in the Eritrean War of Independence. The Italian government after World War II did not forget about the Askaris who served in the Italian colonial army, creating a special pension fund for them in 1950, which covered up to 140,000. people.