30th Infantry Division Sabauda

30th Infantry Division Sabauda

30th Infantry Division Sabauda Insignia
Active 1939–1943
Branch Regio Esercito
Royal Italian Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Nickname(s) Sabauda
Engagements World War II

The 30th Infantry Division Sabauda was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) during World War II.

History

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

The territorial division Cagliari was mobilized 1 October 1934, renamed Sabauda (30a) after a newly built town of Sabaudia and sent to Eritrea, arriving in Massawa 21 June 1935. During its absence on Sardinia until 9 February 1937, it was replaced in Sassari and Cagliari by Sassary II infantry division (130a) and Sassari II infantry brigade (130).[1] Initially the Sabauda division was tasked with the defence of the Asmara-Dek’emhāre area. At the beginning of the war 3 October 1935, it hold a defensive line near Barachit. After overcoming an initial Ethiopian resistance at Fik’ada (Focada) it advanced rapidly, but come to nearly stop from 7 October 1935. In November, 1935, it seized the Negash, Agula and Bolbala towns. It held positions on heights overlooking Tekezé River during the Ethiopian Christmas Offensive. The division have started to advance from 6 January 1936, but stayed in Enderta Province in February, 1936. The Sabauda division had a minor fight at Battle of Amba Aradam 13–27 February 1936. By 3 April 1936, the division arrived to Amba Alagi, where it won a decisive encounter. It then pursued Ethiopunas to Agumserta and finally to Lake Ashenge. With way to Addis Ababa forced opened, the division surged forward, reaching Shewa Kifle Hāger village in capital's outskirts 26 April 1936, and capturing Addis Ababa proper 5 May 1936. The division has stayed in capital area until December, 1936, when it was recalled to Italy.

Second World War

30th Division Sabauda was reorganized as a binary division 15 April 1939. Initially it was deployed between Cagliari and Iglesias, Sardinia, with headquarters in Cagliari. In June, 1940, divisional position was reduced to around Sulcis. The Sabauda division stayed there until Armistice of Cassibile was announced 8 September 1943. 10 September 1943 it repositioned to repel a German forces at Villacidro-Samassi-Selegas-Suelli, facing north. After Wehrmacht forces evacuation to Corsica, the division was called to Sicily 10 November 1943. It initially arrived to Enna-Caltanissetta region and stayed until relocated to Messina-Catania-Syracuse area in September, 1944. 1 October 1944, the division was demobilized to security division status. During it stay in Sicily, it performed various duties ranging from airfield and coastal defence to demining.

Order of Battle Oct. 1935

30th Division "Sabauda" - Gen. Italo Gariboldi

Notes:

Order of Battle June 1940

30th Division "Sabauda"

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/rediv30.htm
  2. ↑ Paoletti, p 170


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