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An interesting tidbit on CMAK from the Italian army newsgroup


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Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 02:08:10 -0000

From: "James Burd" <JSB715@aol.com>

Subject: Re: Compagnia Volontari Tedeschi in AOI 1940/1941

Hi All

Looking for any photographs of the German Volunteer unit in Italian

East Africa during 1940/41. I have pretty good information regarding

its size (approx. 147 men and was trained and attached to the

Granatieri di Savoia), commanders (commander - 1st Lt. Gustav Hamel,

2nd in command 2nd Lt. Heinz Schmit), uniforms (Italian tropical

uniforms with german distinctive insignia), and equipment (M91

rifles, M30 Breda, Schwarzlose MGs, but have yet to find any photos.

As an interesting note, Lt. Heinz Schmit was repatriated in 1941

prior to the complete collapse in AOI and then went on to serve with

distinction with the DAK in North Africa. It is also interesting to

note that the German Volunteer unit fought througout the entire AOI

campaign down to the last battle at Gondar in Nov. 1941.

Hans note: I presume this unit was formed from German reservist in the area, crews from merchants ships and scientists/travels who were in the area.

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