2nd Mountain Infantry Division | |
---|---|
Active | 1940 - 1943 |
Disbanded | 1943 |
Country |
Regno d'Italia Kingdom of Italy |
Branch |
Regio Esercito Royal Italian Army |
Role | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Garrison/HQ | Novara, Italy |
Nickname(s) | Sforzesca |
Engagements | World War II |
The 2nd Mountain Infantry Division Sforzesca was an Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Division was mobilized in June 1940, for the Italian invasion of France. It took part in the Greco-Italian War in 1941. It was then chosen to be part of the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia in June 1942, and was transferred to the Eastern front. It suffered heavy losses in early 1943 and was withdrawn to Italy for reforming in March. It absorbed the 157th Infantry Division Novara, which had been a garrison division, and elements from other units.
It surrendered to the German forces in September 1943. Mountain Divisions are not to be confused with the "Alpini" (specialized mountain troops). The Mountain divisions had pack horse artillery instead of the usual towed type.
Order of battle[]
- 53. Infantry Regiment
- 54. Infantry Regiment
- 17. Artillery Regiment
- 4. Mixed Carabinieri Section
- 5. Motorized Carabinieri Section
- 53. Flak Company
- 302. Flak Company
- 2. Anti-Tank Company
- 70. Anti-Tank Company
- 121. Anti-Tank Company
- II Divisional Mortar Battalion
- 16. Pioneer Company
- 2. Telephone & Radio Company
- 1. Supply Company
- 2. Command Transport Unit
- 2. Transport Section
- 569. Field Post Office [nb 1]
Notes[]
- Footnotes
- ↑ An Italian Infantry Division normally consisted of two Infantry Regiments (three Battalions each), an Artillery Regiment, a Mortar Battalion (two companies), an Anti Tank Company, a Blackshirt Legion (Regiment of two Battalions). Each Division had only about 7,000 men, The Infantry and Artillery Regiments contained 1,650 men, the Blackshirt Legion 1,200, each company 150 men.[1]
- Citations
- ↑ Paoletti, p 170
- Paoletti, Ciro (2008). A Military History of Italy. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-275-98505-9.
The original article can be found at 2nd Mountain Infantry Division Sforzesca and the edit history here.