52 Motorised Division Torino
Encyclopedia
The 52 Motorised Division Torino was an Motorised Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during World War II
. The Division was formed from the expansion of the Torino Brigade in June 1940. It took part in the Invasion of Yugoslavia
and was then sent to the Eastern front
as pat of the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia
.
. On 14 August 1941, they were then transferred to the control of the Tank Group 1. On 25 October 1941, Tank Group 1 was re designated as the 1st Panzer Army. Between 20 October and 2 November 1941, they were used in the assault on the city of Stalino (now Donetsk), an important steel center in Eastern Ukraine, and in occupying the neighbouring towns of Gorlowka
and Rykovo, at the time also named Ordzhonikidze
today Yenakiieve
. They remained under control of 1st Panzer until 3 June 1942 when it was subordinated to 17th Army
. In July 1942 they came under control of the 8th Italian Army
a new force of ten Italian divisions, which formed the left flank of the German 6th Army during the Battle of Stalingrad
. It suffered heavy losses in the Soviet offensive during the winter of 1942/43
and was destroyed in March 1943.
The surviving members returned to Italy and were disbanded in September 1943.
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 formed from the expansion of the Torino Brigade in June 1940. It 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 was then sent to the Eastern front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
as pat of the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia
Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia
During World War II, the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia was a corps-sized expeditionary unit of the Regio Esercito that fought on the Eastern Front...
.
Eastern Front
The Division was only Semi Motorised at this time which meant in practice was that an assortment of commercial vehicles with company logos intact were pressed into service. They arrived in southern Russia between July and August of 1941, and were initially subordinated to the 11th Army11th Army (Germany)
The 11th Army was a World War I and a World War II field army.-World War I:The 11th Army was formed in early 1915. It briefly fought on the Western Front during the Battle of Ypres, holding the line against the allied attack...
. On 14 August 1941, they were then transferred to the control of the Tank Group 1. On 25 October 1941, Tank Group 1 was re designated as the 1st Panzer Army. Between 20 October and 2 November 1941, they were used in the assault on the city of Stalino (now Donetsk), an important steel center in Eastern Ukraine, and in occupying the neighbouring towns of Gorlowka
Horlivka
Horlivka is a city in the Donetsk Oblast of eastern Ukraine. As of 2001, the city's population was 292,000. It is a coal mining and chemical industry centre...
and Rykovo, at the time also named Ordzhonikidze
Ordzhonikidze, Ukraine
Ordzhonikidze is a city of oblast subordinance in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast of central Ukraine. It is located at around . The city is named afterSergo Ordzhonikidze....
today Yenakiieve
Yenakiieve
Yenakieve , is a city in the Donetsk Oblast of eastern Ukraine and carries a special status within the region designated into a separate city rayon . The city is located on the Krynka River about from the oblast's administrative center, Donetsk.Yenakiieve is an important regional centre of coal...
. They remained under control of 1st Panzer until 3 June 1942 when it was subordinated to 17th Army
17th Army (Germany)
The German Seventeenth Army was a World War II field army.-Commanding officers:* General der Infanterie Carl-Heinrich von Stülpnagel * Generaloberst Hermann Hoth...
. In July 1942 they came under control of the 8th Italian Army
Italian Army in Russia
The Italian Army in Russia was an army-sized unit of the Italian Royal Army which fought on the Eastern Front during World War II...
a new force of ten Italian divisions, which formed the left flank of the German 6th Army during the Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
. It suffered heavy losses in the Soviet offensive during the winter of 1942/43
Operation Uranus
Operation Uranus was the codename of the Soviet strategic operation in World War II which led to the encirclement of the German Sixth Army, the Third and Fourth Romanian armies, and portions of the German Fourth Panzer Army. The operation formed part of the ongoing Battle of Stalingrad, and was...
and was destroyed in March 1943.
The surviving members returned to Italy and were disbanded in September 1943.
Order of battle
- 81. Torino Infantry Regiment
- 82. Torino Infantry Regiment
- 52. Torino Artillery Regiment
- Anti-Aircraft Battalion
- 26. Mortar Battalion
- 52. Mortar Battalion
- 52. Anti-Tank Company
- 171. Anti-Tank Company
- 52. Engineer Battalion
- 52. Medical Section
- 56. Motor Transport Section
- 52. Gasoline Supply Section
- 66. 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
See also
- Ugo de CarolisUgo de CarolisUgo de Carolis was a Brigadier-General and commander of the 52 Motorised Division Torino on the eastern front during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, recipient of the German Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II... - Italian participation in the Eastern Front
- Italian Army in RussiaItalian Army in RussiaThe Italian Army in Russia was an army-sized unit of the Italian Royal Army which fought on the Eastern Front during World War II...