32 Infantry Division Marche
Encyclopedia
The 32 Infantry Division Marche was a Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during World War II
. The Marche Division took part in operations in Albania
in March 1941. It then as part of the Italian XVII (Armoured) Corps took part in the Invasion of Yugoslavia
and captured the towns of Dubrovnik
and Metkovick. It remained in Yugoslavia as an occupying force until the Italian surrender to the Allies
in September 1943.
and engage and destroy as many of their units as possible. It is also known as the Fourth Enemy Offensive in Yugoslavia. It was the largest such offensive or operation carried out in Yugoslavia during the war in terms of troops employed and territory covered. The operation was a success with almost 12,00 partisans killed and 3,000 captured.
. Over 6,000 partisans were killed but the offensive was a failure. The failure of the offensive marked a turning point for Yugoslavia
during World War II.
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 Marche Division took part in operations in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in March 1941. It then as part of the Italian XVII (Armoured) Corps took part in the Invasion of Yugoslavia
Invasion of Yugoslavia
The Invasion of Yugoslavia , also known as the April War , was the Axis Powers' attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia which began on 6 April 1941 during World War II...
and captured the towns of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
and Metkovick. It remained in Yugoslavia as an occupying force until the Italian surrender to the Allies
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
in September 1943.
Operation Weiss
The Division took part in the Battle of the Neretva (Operation Weiss) between 20 January and 17 February 1943, the objective was to retake the area occupied by the partisans centered on BihaćBihac
Bihać is a city and municipality on the river Una in the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Bosanska Krajina region. Bihać is located in the Una-Sana Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.-History:...
and engage and destroy as many of their units as possible. It is also known as the Fourth Enemy Offensive in Yugoslavia. It was the largest such offensive or operation carried out in Yugoslavia during the war in terms of troops employed and territory covered. The operation was a success with almost 12,00 partisans killed and 3,000 captured.
Operation Schwarz
The Division took part in the Battle of the Sutjeska (Operation Schwarz) between May and June 1943, which aimed to destroy the main Yugoslav Partisan force, near the Sutjeska river in south-eastern BosniaBosnia (region)
Bosnia is a eponomous region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It lies mainly in the Dinaric Alps, ranging to the southern borders of the Pannonian plain, with the rivers Sava and Drina marking its northern and eastern borders. The other eponomous region, the southern, other half of the country is...
. Over 6,000 partisans were killed but the offensive was a failure. The failure of the offensive marked a turning point for Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
during World War II.
Order of battle
- 55. MarcheMarcheThe population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
Infantry Regiment - 56. Marche Infantry Regiment
- 32. Artillery Regiment
- 49. CCNN Legion (Blackshirts)
- 32. Mortar Battalion
- 32. Anti-Tank Company
- 32. Signal Company
- 39. Pioneer Company
- 39. Medical Section
- 4. Supply Section
- 32. Bakery Section
- 35. 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 - 36. Carabinieri Section