WWII Italian San Marco Royal Navy Regiment Bafile Battalion Badge Pin

Description

WWII Italian San Marco Royal Navy Regiment, Bafile Marine Battalion Badge. Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS First Class.
- Very rare item! This particular badge belonged to a WWII veteran who fought during Operation Avalanche and continued throughout the Invasion of Italy.
- The badge depicts a ship’s helm with a red enameled shield in the center. Within the shield is the golden, winged Lion of Saint Mark clutching an open Bible (the Banner of San Marco). Surrounding the shield in blue enameled letters it states,
— REGG. R.M. S. MARCO BATT. “A. BAFILE” —
(long version - Reggimento Regina Marina San Marco Battaglione A Bafile)
- Please see photos for overall condition and details. Note there is a small chip off the red enameled shield and the horizontal safety-style pin on the reverse is damaged but still functions.
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**UPDATE**
The metal was tested from a portion of the helm and it appears it may be 10k gold. Please see last two photos for weight and test results. I am not a professional assayer and do not guarantee the test results; it could just be plated. These results are provided to assist the buyer only. I did not increase the price as a result of this test.
Brief History
In April 1941, at the beginning of operations against Yugoslavia, the “Grado” battalion and elements from the “Bafile” battalion occupied several Yugoslavian islands and ports. In June 1941, the Regimental HQ and the “Bafile” battalion were in Greece as garrison units on the Corinth Channel. During Autumn, all of the San Marco Regiments, including the several detachments on the Yugoslavian coast, returned to Italy as part of the Forza Navale Speciale and began training for the invasion of Malta.
In November 1941, a provisional 3rd battalion (some companies detached from the “Bafile” battalion) was formed for a scheduled amphibious operation in North Africa, but this operation was cancelled, and the battalion served as an infanty unit for the duration of its fighting in North Africa.
In 1942, battalions “Bafile” and “Grado” underwent intense training for the scheduled “Operazione C.3” against Malta (Nov.1941 – Nov.1942), together with the now-expanded Battaglione Paracadutisti (Bn. “P”) and the new Battaglione Nuotatori-Guastatori “Mazzucchelli” (later named simply Bn.”N.G.”).
The 3rd battalion was still in North Africa, distinguishing itself on September 13th – 14th 1942, while in defense of Tobruk harbor from a strong British raid. The unit recieved its name “Tobruk” from these actions. In Nov. 1942, after the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria, the “Bafile”, “Grado” and 1 CCNN landing battalion occupied Corsica (Esigenza C.2), and were then moved to Tunisia with the Regimental HQ.
In 1943, the “Tobruk” battalion was destroyed while in Tunisia, and the Regimental HQ, the “Bafile” and “Grado” battalions surrendered with the rest of the Axis forces.