16 Motorised Division Pistoia
Encyclopedia
The 16 Motorised Division Pistoia was an Motorised Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during World War II
. The Division was mobilized in June 1940, as an infantry division and was sent to the French
border and held in reserve for the Italian First Army
. In October 1941, it was motorised and sent to Libya
in July 1942. It was destroyed defending the Mareth Line
May 1943.
It was reforming in northern Italy in September 1943 when it was disbanded by the Germans.
Motorised infantry
In NATO and most other western countries, motorised infantry is infantry which is transported by trucks or other motor vehicles. It is distinguished from mechanized infantry, which is carried in armoured personnel carriers, infantry combat vehicles, or infantry fighting vehicles...
Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
of the Italian Army
Royal Italian Army (1940–1946)
This article is about the Italian Royal Army which participated in World War II.The Italian Royal Army was reformed in 1861 and lasted until 1946. The Royal Army started with the unification of Italy and the formation of the Kingdom of Italy . It ended with the dissolution of the monarchy...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Division was mobilized in June 1940, as an infantry division and was sent to the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
border and held in reserve for the Italian First Army
Italian First Army
The Italian First Army was an Italian army formation, in World War I, facing Austro-Hungarian and German forces, and in World War II, fighting on the North African front.-World War I:...
. In October 1941, it was motorised and sent to Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
in July 1942. It was destroyed defending the Mareth Line
Mareth Line
The Mareth Line was a system of fortifications built by the French between the towns of Medenine and Gabès in southern Tunisia, prior to World War II...
May 1943.
It was reforming in northern Italy in September 1943 when it was disbanded by the Germans.
Order of battle
- 35. PistoiaPistoiaPistoia is a city and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy, the capital of a province of the same name, located about 30 km west and north of Florence and is crossed by the Ombrone Pistoiese, a tributary of the River Arno.-History:...
Infantry Regiment - 36. Pistoia Infantry Regiment
- 3. Fossalta Artillery Regiment (mot)
- 16. Mortar Battalion
- 16. Anti-Tank Company
- 51. Engineer Battalion
- 111. Medical Section
- 210. Motor Transport Section
- 120. Supply Section
- 50. Bakery Section