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