Italian National Republican Guard
| Guardia Nazionale Repubblicana | |
GNR insignia
|
|
GNR flag
|
|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1943 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Dissolved | 1945 |
| Type | Paramilitary |
| Jurisdiction |
 Italian Social Republic
|
| Headquarters |
Rome (before June 4, 1944) Brescia (after June 4, 1944) |
| Employees | 150,000 |
| Minister responsible | |
| Parent agency |
PFR
|
The Italian National Republican Guard (Guardia Nazionale Repubblicana, or GNR) was a gendarmerie force of the Italian Social Republic created by decree on December 8, 1943, replacing the Carabinieri and the National Security Volunteer Militia (MVSN). General Renato Ricci appointed as its commandant. Major General Italo Romegialli was appointed vice commandant and Major General Nicolò Nicchiarelli became the chief of general staff.
The GNR included former Carabinieri, MVSN militiamen, police officers, and members of the Italian Africa Police (the PAIRS). While being an autonomous armed force before August 1944, on August 15, 1944, the National Republican Guard became a part of the army of the Italian Social Republic. However, it continued carrying out security tasks behind the lines and provided aid to German forces. On August 21, 1944 Benito Mussolini assumed direct command. On August 23, 1944 a separate division, GNR Division Etna, was formed in Brescia under the command of General Violente, to perform anti-paratrooper and anti-aircraft duties. Another division, GNR Vesuvio, was later formed.
The GNR had following Special military services:
In August 1944, once Germany understood that MVSN were in the minority and that military ex-Carabinieri tended to join guerrilla partisans, the country decided to disarm and arrest the Carabinieri. Of the 11,000 Carabinieri still in service in the summer of 1944, 3,000 were sent to Germany before combing and equally few were conducted over the Alps in the aftermath. After August 25, 1944, only 1,400 Carabinieri remained employed as either service workers or military bureaucrats.
Following the disarmament of the Carabinieri, the GNR faced a deep crisis due to its smaller size: 35,000 troops for the territorial units, 11,000 between Guard Youth and students, and fewer than 5,000 for independent training. The weakening of the GNR also occurred through territorial governance reorganization. Most local districts previously served by Carabinieri had been dissolved. By September 1944, the Italian Social Republic's control over its territory was no longer as effective as it had once been. Eventually, a reorganization of GNR occurred through a strengthening of territorial departments, while schools were established for officers.
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Wikipedia