Excellent original painting of both sides of a medallion or emblem prepared for the XV Battaglione Guastatori, specialist military engineers trained to assault strengthened fortifications. The two paintings are each 6 1/2 in. diameter. The first portrays an Italian soldier standing between strands of barbed wire and grasping a large scythe, a large demon standing behind him and assisting. The caption 'Diavolo Rossi' ('Red Devil') appears at the bottom. The second image shows an upraised sword with a flaming bomb behind it, surmounted by 'XV BATTAGLIONE GUASTATORI' and the Latin motto 'Princeps ad Proelium' ('Prince to Battle') at the bottom. Very fine, matted, and framed.The Gustatori was first organized in Italy in July, 1940, when specialists were sent to the Guastatori School created in Civitavecchia, created by Colonel Piero Steiner and inspired by the German 'Assault Engineers,' to be trained for the particular task of approaching enemy fortified works and placing explosive charges in the most vulnerable points (loopholes, doors, hatches). They would wait for the explosion a few meters away and then, with the support of special assault weapons (assault rifles, machine guns, flamethrowers, mortars, and hand grenades), break through the open breach. Conditions necessary for the success of the assault were surprise, recklessness, planning, synchronization and speed of action. A fine display piece.