Female Auxiliary Service Explained

Unit Name:Female Auxiliary Service (SAF)
Start Date:18 April 1944
Dates:1944 - 1945
Country: Italian Social Republic
Branch: National Republican Army
Type:Auxiliary
Size:6,000
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Commander1:Piera Gatteschi Fondelli
Commander1 Label:Commander Generale di brigata

The Female Voluntary Corps for Auxiliary Services of the Republican Armed Forces (Italian: Corpo Femminile Volontario per i Servizi Ausiliari delle Forze Armate Repubblicane, better known as the Female Auxiliary Service (Italian: Servizio Ausiliario Femminile SAF) was a women's corps of the armed forces of the Italian Social Republic, whose components, all voluntary, were commonly referred to as auxiliaries.

History

On 18 April 1944, the Female Auxiliary Service was established, under the command of Piera Gatteschi Fondelli. The auxiliaries initially provided only nursing assistance in military hospitals, work in offices and propaganda, and set up mobile refreshment places for the troops. In the space of twelve months 6,000 young women participate in six training courses, in Venice and Como; only then were they assigned to the Commands. After April 25, 1945 the Female Auxiliary Service was dissolved and Pavolini suggested destroying all documentation to avoid reprisals against members.[1]

Ranks

See main article: Military ranks of the Italian Social Republic.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.barbadillo.it/43721-storia-donne-in-divisa-ausiliarie-rsi-fanolla-gatteschi-fondelli/ "Storia. Donne in divisa: le ausiliarie Rsi dalla Fanolla al generale Piera Gatteschi Fondelli"