6th Alpine Division Alpi Graie



The 6th Alpine Division Alpi Graie was a short-lived light Infantry division of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. The Alpini that formed the divisions where from the highly decorated and elite mountain corps of the Italian Army comprising both infantry and artillery units. The divisions name Alpi Graie was chosen as most of its recruits came from the are of the Graian Alps (Alpi Graie).

History
The division was raised with reserve units on 15 November 1941 and deployed quickly to Montenegro - the first unit to leave was the 4th Alpini "Valley" Group on 14 December 1941. In March 1942 the full division command had arrived at Danilovgrad in Montenegro and begun to fight the Yugoslav Partisans. The division saw heavy combat in the area of the Durmitor massif.

Meanwhile the 3rd Alpini "Valley" Group had taken up garrison duties in occupied France in the area of Maurienne. It participated in the occupation of Vichy France by Axis forces during Case Anton.

In 1943 the division was moved to the port of La Spezia and tasked with defending it against potential allied raids. After the Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces on 8 September 1943 the division disbanded two days later.

1941

 * 3rd Alpini "Valley" Group
 * Nappina bianca.png Val Pellice Battalion
 * Nappina verde.png Val Toce Battalion
 * Nappina blu.png Val Cenischia Battalion
 * Nappina artiglieria.png Val d’Orco Artillery Group
 * 4th Alpini "Valley" Group
 * Nappina rossa.png Val Chisone Battalion
 * Nappina blu.png Susa Battalion
 * Nappina artiglieria.png Val d’Adige Artillery Group

1942

 * 2nd Alpini "Valley" Group in Montenegro
 * Nappina bianca.png Val Pescara Battalion
 * Nappina rossa.png Val Leogra Battalion
 * Nappina artiglieria.png Valle Isonzo Artillery Group
 * 3rd Alpini "Valley" Group in France
 * Nappina bianca.png Val Pellice Battalion
 * Nappina verde.png Val Toce Battalion
 * Nappina blu.png Val Cenischia Battalion
 * Nappina artiglieria.png Val d’Orco Artillery Group
 * 4th Alpini "Valley" Group in Montenegro
 * Nappina rossa.png Val Chisone Battalion
 * Nappina blu.png Susa Battalion
 * Nappina artiglieria.png Val d’Adige Artillery Group

1943

 * 3rd Alpini "Valley" Group
 * Nappina bianca.png Val Pellice Battalion
 * Nappina rossa.png Val Fassa Battalion
 * Nappina verde.png Val Dora Battalion
 * 4th Alpini "Valley" Group
 * Nappina bianca.png Val d’Orco Battalion
 * Nappina rossa.png Val Chisone Battalion
 * Nappina blu.png Susa Battalion
 * 6th Alpine Artillery Regiment
 * Nappina artiglieria.png  Val d’Adige Artillery Group
 * Nappina artiglieria.png Val Chisone Artillery Group
 * Nappina amarante.png 6th Engineer Battalion