User blog:Dark is Near/Blackshirts vs Gestapo

Gestapo, the ruthless secret police of Germany when the Nazis were in power who assisted in the killing of millions

VS

Blackshirts, the paramilitary facists of Italy who removed any threat to their empire swiftly and without mercy

Blackshirts
The Blackshirts were Fascist, paramilitary Italians who united and served before World War II. They remained in service until the end of the war. Formally the Blackshirts are known as the Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale, or National Security Volunteer Militia. Formed by the dictator Benito Mussolini, the main objective of the Blackshirts was to remove any threats to the Fascist empire. The group's role evolved and they became a paramilitary force that soon operated in Africa. Members helped fight in the invasion of Ethiopia, Italy's rival at this time, and helped topple Ethiopia's government. The group soon fought alongside Italian regulars after they proved their military worth in the African campaigns.

Gestapo
The Gestapo was Nazi Germany's official secret police force. The term "gestapo" is an abbreviation for its formal name, Geheime Staatspolizei. Formed in 1934, the Gestapo was lead by Schutzstaffel officer Heinrich Himmler. They were deployed to investigate and combat enemies of the state. It had complete authority over investigations in treason, espionage, and sabotage. During the second World War, the Gestapo included 46,000 members. As the persecution of Jews progressed throughout Germany-held Europe, the police force was also assigned to keep imprisoned Jewish people in check. They were also given orders to detain, and execute, Jews. Many of the Gestapo members include former police officers, SS regulars, and other government agents. Each member had to have received police training prior to enlisting into the Gestapo.

Gun Melee (Blackshirts)
The use of a gun as a melee weapons is an old concept, but still practiced. There is pistol-whipping, which uses a pistol as a club. Usually blunt trauma, though amount of damage depends on the weight of the gun, materials, etc. Buttstroking (or rifle-whipping as I call it) is using the stock of a large gun such as a rifle as a melee weapon. Surprisingly lethal. The barrel of guns can also jab opponent body parts, and can burn if recently fired then jabbed with.

Dress Dagger (Gestapo)
A double-edged blade modeled after an older Swiss dagger, the dagger's hilt is distinctive, featuring an inward  bent crescent-shaped bar at the end of the hilt.

Beretta Model M1935 (Blackshirts)
The Beretta was based on the design of the Walther pistols from Germany. The pistol has reliable feeding and was easy to maintain due to few parts. 7.65x17mm Browning SR (.32 ACP) cartridge was used. Pistol has a short effective range and the reloading is slow. Cartridge can take 8 rounds. Known to be rugged and reliable.

Walther PPK (Gestapo)
The stereotype secret agent gun dosen't have as nice of a history as you think. Weighs around 590g/21oz, firing the 7.65x17mm cartridge. Semi-auto with a capacity of 7 rounds, and an unknown range. Easy to conceal.

Beretta Model 38 (Blackshirts)
Called the best Italian small arm of World War II. Uses 9mm caliber bullets and can accept different sized               magazines (will be using the 30 round magazine for the purpose of the match). Rate of fire was 600mm and had an effective range of 250 meters.

MP 40 (Gestapo)
The MP40 was a German 9mm submachine gun made from stamped metal parts, introduced in 1940. The weapon fired a 9mm round from a 32-round magazine. The weapon has a rate of fire of 500 rounds per minute and a range of 150-200 meters. Widely used back then. Known to be more reliable than other submachine guns around that time.

Carcano Rifle (Blackshirts)
The Carcano was the standard rifle for Italy during World War II. 6 round internal magazine for 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano rounds. Had a weight of 3.4kg and a length 1055mm. Range of 600 meters. Used iron sights primarily.

Karabiner 98k Rifle (Gestapo)
A traditional German rifle. Had a 5 round internal magazine while firing the 7.92x5mm Mauser rounds. Range of 500 meters, but was known for great accuracy and reliability. Sometimes had telescopes sights.

Breda 30 Light Machine Gun (Blackshirts)
A rather sad machine gun. Used 20 round stripper clips. Known for being a very poor weapon, with a slow rate of fire at 500 rounds a minute, while firing the underpowered 6.5x52mm rounds. And is also highly prone to major jamming. Had a complicated barrel change and was rather slow to reload. Magizines were known to be very fragile. Had a range of 3000 meters.

STG 44 (Gestapo)
The very first assualt rifle. Chambered for the 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge, 30 round magazine, and a range of 300 meters. Could switch from devestating full auto to amazingly accurate semi-auto. Known to be highly effective, even compared to some assualt rifles today.