Italian medals

What were the Italian equivalents of the DFC and DSO??

As far as I know, none. For courage in action, Italy has only one "Medaglia al Valor Militare" whith three "classes", Gold, silver and bronze and can be bestowed several times. In which case, there is no bars or clusters, plain medals or ribbons are worn in succession.

Although there were no exact Italian alternatives to the British medals, as far as valour level was concerned I believe that the basic DFC was an equivalent of the Medaglia d'Argento al Valor Militare, while the Medaglia di Bronzo al Valor Militare was probably between the British MC and DFC. The Italian equivalent of the MC should be the Croce di Guerra al Valor Militare, while the Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare can be compared to the highest degree of the DFC. I suppose the Italian Ordine Militare di Savoia, the highest award for military gallantry of the Kingdom of Italy, has no British equivalent.

Hope this can be of some interest.

All the very best,

Alberto Casirati