Italian 24 Infantry Division Gran Sasso
Encyclopedia
The 24th Infantry Division Pinerolo was an Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during World War II
. It was made up of draftees from Abruzzo
and originally called the 24th Infantry Division Gran Sasso which had participated in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
and was reorganized as the binary 24th Infantry Division Pinerolo prior to the start of World War II. The Pinerolo took part in the Italian invasion of France
. It later took part in the Greco-Italian War
and the Invasion of Yugoslavia
. It remained in Yugoslavia as an occupation force, in Ochrid before being moved to the same task in Greece at Larissa
. After the Italian surrender to the Allies
in September 1943, it joined the Greek People's Liberation Army in fighting the Germans.
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...
. It was made up of draftees from Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
and originally called the 24th Infantry Division Gran Sasso which had participated in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
Second Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
and was reorganized as the binary 24th Infantry Division Pinerolo prior to the start of World War II. The Pinerolo 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...
. It later took part in the Greco-Italian War
Greco-Italian War
The Greco-Italian War was a conflict between Italy and Greece which lasted from 28 October 1940 to 23 April 1941. It marked the beginning of the Balkans Campaign of World War II...
and 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...
. It remained in Yugoslavia as an occupation force, in Ochrid before being moved to the same task in Greece at Larissa
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
. After the Italian surrender to the Allies
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
in September 1943, it joined the Greek People's Liberation Army in fighting the Germans.
Order of battle 24 Infantry Division Gran Sasso
- 13 Pinerolo Infantry Regiment
- 14 Pinerolo Infantry Regiment
- 225 ArezzoArezzoArezzo is a city and comune in Central Italy, capital of the province of the same name, located in Tuscany. Arezzo is about 80 km southeast of Florence, at an elevation of 296 m above sea level. In 2011 the population was about 100,000....
Infantry Regiment - 18 Artillery Regiment
- 524 Medium Machine Gun Battalion
- 24 Replacements Bn
- 24 Engineers Coy
Order of battle
- 13. PineroloPineroloPinerolo is a town and comune in north-western Italy, 40 kilometres southwest of Turin on the river Chisone.-History:In the Middle Ages, the town of Pinerolo was one of the main crossroads in Italy, and was therefore one of the principal fortresses of the dukes of Savoy. Its military importance...
Infantry Regiment - 14. Pinerolo Infantry Regiment
- 313. Infantry Regiment
- 18. Gran SassoGran SassoGran Sasso d'Italia is a mountain located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. The Gran Sasso forms the centerpiece of the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park which was established in 1993 and holds the highest mountains in continental Italy south of the Alps and is part of the...
Artillery Regiment - 136. Tremonti CCNN Legion (Blackshirts)
- 24. Mortar Battalion
- 24. Anti-Tank Company
- 24. Signal Company
- 61. Pioneer Company
- 32. Medical Section
- 64 Supply Section
- 145. Field Bakery