1st Mountain Infantry Division Superga

1st Mountain Infantry Division Superga
Active	1940 – 1943
Country	Regno d'Italia Kingdom of Italy
Branch	Regio Esercito Royal Italian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Torino
Nickname(s)	"Superga"
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders	Curio Barbasetti di Prun

1st Mountain Infantry Division Superga was an infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was formed in 1940 in Torino (Turin), and was part of the 4th Army, Italian I Corps during the Italian invasion of France.^[1] 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.

Action

On 10 June, 1940 the Superga division was assigned to France invasion force. Superga has captured the French village of Argentière 21 June, 1940, reaching Battaileres pass and mount Argentiere summit 22 June, 1940.^[2] On 24 June 1940, just before the armstice, the Division attacked the Ouvrage Pas du Roc in the Alpine Line. Supported by its neighbor, Ouvrage Arrondaz and others, the fort repelled the attack.^[3] The Division was moved from Turin to Naples in August, 1941. ^[4] In March, 1942, division headquarters moved to Avola in Sicily island, while bulk of forces remained around Naples. The Division was reorganized into assault and landing type in April, 1942 for the planned invasion of Malta. Between May 1942 and October 1942 main Division forces were concentrated around cities Formia and Gaeta. The Superga Division was sent to Tunisia in November 1942, landing in Bizerte 11 November, 1942. By 20 November, 1942 it was fighting near Enfidaville Airfield. By 1 December, 1942 the Superga Division has moved to Sousse-Sfax area. 26 December, 1942 it was deployed on the southern outskirts of Tunis. From late January, 1943 until 4 February, 1943 it repelled an Anglo-American assault on Oued el Koukat depression. The second assault on positions of Superga division has started 23 February, 1943. The Superga Division has surrendered to the British forces 12 May, 1943.^[5]

Order of battle

• 91. Basilicata Infantry Regiment
• 92. Basilicata Infantry Regiment
• 5º Reggimento artiglieria "Superga" (5. Superga Artillery Regiment)
  • 2° Battalion - 75/18 mm guns
  • 2° Battalion - 100/17 mm guns (mot)
  • Mortar Battalion
• Anti-Aircraft Battalion
  • 3 x Battery
• 1. Anti-Tank Battalion
• 101. Engineer Battalion
• 1. Signals Company
• 14. Pioneer Company
• 1. Carabinieri Section
• 2. Carabinieri Section
• 80. Field Post Office
• 50. Special Brigade

The force designated '50 Special Brigade' consisted of 6th Infantry Battalion (Regiment?), 557th (7th) Semovente Group, (75/18 Assault Guns), and the 15th Armoured Battalion from the Centauro Armoured Division plus 3 Artillery battalions - or 3d Artillery Group. ^{[5][nb 1]}

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.^[6]

Citations

1. Jowett, Philip S. The Italian Army 1940-45 (1): Europe 1940-1943. Osprey, Oxford - New York, 2000, pp. 5-6, ISBN 978-1-85532-864-8
2. http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv1.htm
3. Kauffmann, p. 178
4. http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/italianarmy/Order%20of%20Battle/slides/Italian%20Army%20OB%20%20065.html
5. Wendal, Marcus. "Italian Army". Axis History. Archived from the original on 2009-04-25. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
6. Paoletti, p 170

References

• Paoletti, Ciro (2008). A Military History of Italy. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-275-98505-9.