44 Infantry Division Cremona
Encyclopedia
The 44 Infantry Division Cremona was a Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during World War II
. The Cremona Division was part of the Italian XV Corps that took part in the Italian invasion of France
in June 1940. It was transferred to Sardinia
in March 1941. They remained in Sardinia until March 1943 when they took part in the occupation of Vichy France
controlled island of Corsica
where they remained until surrendering to the Allies
in October 1943. After the Italian surrender the Division served with the Allies
and the Blackshirt 90 Calabria CCNN Legion was renamed the 321 Infantry Regiment.
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 Cremona Division was part of the Italian XV Corps that took part in 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...
in June 1940. It was transferred to Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
in March 1941. They remained in Sardinia until March 1943 when they took part in the occupation of Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
controlled island of Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
where they remained until surrendering 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 October 1943. After the Italian surrender the Division served with 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...
and the Blackshirt 90 Calabria CCNN Legion was renamed the 321 Infantry Regiment.
Order of battle
- 21. CremonaCremonaCremona is a city and comune in northern Italy, situated in Lombardy, on the left bank of the Po River in the middle of the Pianura Padana . It is the capital of the province of Cremona and the seat of the local City and Province governments...
Infantry Regiment - 22. Cremona Infantry Regiment
- 7. Curtatone e Montanara Artillery Regiment
- 90. Calabria CCNN Legion
- 44. Mortar Battalion
- 144. Anti-Tank Company
- 344. Anti-Tank Company
- 144. Engineer Battalion
- 44. Medical Section
- 54. Medical Section
- 54. Supply Section
- 17. Bakery Section
- 60. 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 - 251. Carabinieri Section