29th Infantry Division Piemonte

29th Infantry Division Piemonte

29th Infantry Division Piemonte Insignia
Active 1939–1943
Branch Regio Esercito
Royal Italian Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Nickname(s) Piemonte
Engagements World War II

The 29th Infantry Division Piemonte was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) during World War II. Originally raised with the name 29th Infantry Division Peloritani, the division fought in Ethiopia during the interwar period. The division was reorganized as the binary 29th Infantry Division Piemonte on 15 April 1939, and fought in Greece. Initially garrisoned in Messina, Sicily, the division was made up entirely of Sicilians.

History

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

28 February 1935, the Peloritana division was mobilized and sent to Somalia 5 March 1935. It was initially tasked with the defence of the coastal cities of Mogadishu, Merca and Kismayo. It has formed during that time the 129th territorial infantry division Peloritana II and 129th infantry brigate Peloritana II. Division first seen a combat in March, 1936, seizing the Harar city straddling the Erer River. In the final Italian advance in April, 1936, the division was relegated to the second-line duties. After the end of active fighting, the Peloritana division have stated in Harar area and fought on occasion the remnants of Ethiopian resistance at cities of Jijiga, Dire Dawa and mount Āybera Terara.[1]

Greco-Italian War and Battle of Greece

The Piemonte division was moved from Sicily to Albania in September, 1940 in anticipation of imminent war. It was deployed as part of strategic reserve in Korçë and Pogradec District. 13 November 1940, the first four battalions have lined against Greek forces near Qafa e Qarrit, as Italian front began to give way. But the majority of units did not leave Pogradec District until March, 1941. Then it was moved to the direction of Këlcyrë and finally took the positions at Tomorrica valley, at the rear of 4th Alpine Division Cuneense. It participated in limited defensive fighting at Bregas. 13 April 1941, the Piemonte division have started an advance, soon reaching Ersekë on Greek border after some fighting with Greek rearguard units. After the end of war the division was temporarily placed in Korçë, but in June, 1941, was sent to Peloponnese peninsula, along the Corinth Canal. The garrisons were also established at Patras, Aigio, Paralia Platanos, Pyrgos, Elis. Battalion-strength detachments were also in Zakynthos island and Nafplio. The division had ceased to exist approximately 11 September 1943 in the aftermath of Armistice of Cassibile likely because of self-disintegration.

Order of battle Oct. 1935

29th Division (Peloritana)

Each Army Division had a Pack-Mules unit of 3000 mules and three Regimental Trucks units (20 light trucks each).

Order of battle 1940

29th Division (Piemonte)

See also

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ↑ 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.[2]
Citations
  1. ↑ http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv29.htm
  2. ↑ Paoletti, p 170


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