 On 10 April 1917, the Italian ambassador in London, Marquis Imperiali, requested that an Italian force contingent with their cavalry and artillery (supported by an independent air force consists of at least 12 units) to be attached to the Sinai Army British under General Archibald Murray. Under the treaty of London in which Italy was offered large sections of territory in the Adriatic Sea region – Tyrol, Dalmatia and Istria. She also has territorially ambitions on Mediterranean areas held by the Ottomans . The Italian Government decided to send a token force and a detachment of the Royal Carabinieri, called the Distaccamento Italiano di Palestina or Palestine Italian Detachment, was established on April 24, 1917, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel of the Sharpshooters Francesco D'Agostino. The official date of establishment was May 1, 1917. The first contingent arriving at Port Said on May 10, 1917. The composition of Italian forces was: 1. Headquarters formation; 2. One company of Royal Carabinieri Consisting of 108 men; 3. One company of Bersaglieri Consisting of 346 men; 4. One company of hunters Palestine; 5. One platoon of mounted Carabinieri Consisting of 40 men. After spending a month at Kantara organising the force and getting acclimatised on June 13th the detachment boarded a troop train and arrived the next day at Rafa which was then just behind the front line held, in that stretch, from 49th Indian Brigade. Immediately, the Italian cavalry (forty) was given the task to guard the railway line from back to Kantara. They successfully beat off Turkish lancers and horse riding Bedouins saboteurs. During the Third Battle of Gaza, the composite force was employed to defend the line at Atawineh Ridge. Here the Italians proved themselves more than capable of holding the line during November 4-5, 1917. During the month of December 1917 formed a base at Port Said it remained in operation until 12 November 1918 The Italians were employed in various sectors which entailed difficult and exacting combat duties, roles well suited for the Bersaglieri. Their distinctive uniform was clearly marked by the use of the black capercaillie feathers displayed prominently in the characteristic wide brimmed hat. This feature gave them their endearing nickname amongst the Allied soldiers who called them the "Chicken Soldiers" and "The Chooks". After the war, they acted in a police role in Palestine under the title Royal Carabinieri of Jerusalem, and were repatriated in March 1921. Note: Little has been written about the Italian contingent in English. The sources are Buzzetti's & Sorani’s book and some web sites, nearly all in Italian. There is some conflict of dates and places amongst them. For instance one quotes the Port Said base being formed on December 1917 another that it was established June 26, 1917. While dates and unit strengths differ in essence the whereabouts of the detachment are in agreement.
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