| 131 Armoured Division Centauro | |
|---|---|
Insignia of 131 Armoured Division Centauro |
|
| Active | 1939–1943 |
| Country | Italy |
| Branch | Italian Armoured Corps |
| Type | Armoured |
| Size | Division |
| Nickname | Centauro |
| Engagements | World War II Invasion of Yugoslavia Greco-Italian War Italian invasion of Albania Battle of the Kasserine Pass |
The 131st Armoured Division Centauro (in Italian: 131ª Divisione Corazzata "Centauro") was an armoured division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was formed in February 1939, by upgrading the 1st Armoured Brigade (1ª Brigata Corazzata). It took part in operations in Albania, Greece and Yugoslavia before returning to Italy. Sent to North Africa in August 1942, it surrendered in Tunisia in May 1943.[1]
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The 1st Armoured Brigade was formed in April 1937, and, along with the 132nd Armoured Division Ariete, formed the Italian Armoured Corps. The two divisions took part in the first corps-level exercises in the Po Valley in the late 1930s. In February 1939, Centauro was re-designated a division.[2]
When Italy invaded Albania in April 1939, the Centauro was equipped with L3/33 and L3/35 tankettes. The division also participated in the Greco-Italian War in 1940, just before it received its first M13/40 tanks in December 1940, and deployed with them at Klisura in January 1941, losing many of them to the Greek artillery fire.[2] The following year the Centauro was deployed into Yugoslavia, together with the 4th Division "Littorio", where they performed well despite their outdated equipment. In June 1941 they were recalled to Italy to be re-equipped.[2]
With the experience they had obtained fighting in the Western Desert the Italian Armoured Divisions were now re organized into a three tank, three infantry battalion structure, combined with a large Artillery regiment which included two battalions of self propelled guns and one anti aircraft battalion and organic reconnaissance and engineer battalions.[2]
In August 1942 they were ordered to prepare to move to Libya.[2]
Centauro missed both Battles of El Alamein, and arrived during the retreat from Egypt back into Libya in late 1942. They were involved in action in Tunisia and played a major part in the Battle of the Kasserine Pass.[3] The Centauro remained in Tunisia until the end of the campaign, surrendering in May 1943.[2]