1 Mountain Infantry Division Superga
Encyclopedia
1 Mountain Infantry Division Superga was an Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during World War II
. The Division was formed in 1940, and was part of the Italian I Corps during the Italian invasion of France
.
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.
in the Alpine Line
. Supported by its neighbor, Ouvrage Arrondaz
and others, the fort repelled the attack. The Division was reorganized for the planned invasion of Malta but was instead sent to Tunisia
in November 1942. It was destroyed in May 1943 fighting against the British forces in the Tunisia Campaign
.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
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 formed in 1940, and was part of the Italian I Corps during the Italian invasion of France
Italian invasion of France
The Italian invasion of France in June 1940 was a small-scale invasion that started near the end of the Battle of France during World War II. The goal of the Italian offensive was to take control of the Alps mountain range and the region around Nice, and to win the colonies in North Africa...
.
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 24 June 1940 the Division attacked the Ouvrage Pas du RocOuvrage Pas du Roc
Ouvrage Pas du Roc is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry blocks, one infantry block, two artillery blocks and one observation block south of Modane and east of Ouvrage Le Lavoir in the vicinity of the Col de Fréjus...
in the Alpine Line
Alpine Line
The Alpine Line or Little Maginot Line was the component of the Maginot Line that defended the southeastern portion of France...
. Supported by its neighbor, Ouvrage Arrondaz
Ouvrage Arrondaz
Ouvrage Arrondaz is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block, and one observation block fin the vicinity of the Col de Fréjus to the south of Modane at an altitude of...
and others, the fort repelled the attack. The Division was reorganized for the planned invasion of Malta but was instead sent to Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
in November 1942. It was destroyed in May 1943 fighting against the British forces in the Tunisia Campaign
Tunisia Campaign
The Tunisia Campaign was a series of battles that took place in Tunisia during the North African Campaign of the Second World War, between Axis and Allied forces. The Allies consisted of British Imperial Forces, including Polish and Greek contingents, with American and French corps...
.
Order of battle
- 91. BasilicataBasilicataBasilicata , also known as Lucania, is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west, Apulia to the north and east, and Calabria to the south, having one short southwestern coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania in the northwest and Calabria in the southwest, and a...
Infantry Regiment - 92. Basilicata Infantry Regiment
- 5. Superga Artillery Regiment
- 2 x Battalion
- 2 x Battalion (mot)
- Mortar Battalion
- Anti-Aircraft Battalion
- 3 x Battery
- 1. Anti-Tank Battalion
- 101. Engineer Battalion
- 1. Signals Company
- 14. Pioneer Company
- 1. CarabinieriCarabinieriThe Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie of Italy, policing both military and civilian populations, and is a branch of the armed forces.-Early history:...
Section - 2. Carabinieri Section
- 80. Field Post Office
- 50. Special Brigade