Italian 5 Infantry Division Cosseria
Encyclopedia
The 5th Infantry Division Cosseria was an Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during the Second World War
. The 5th Division "Cosseria" participated in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
and was reorganized as a binary division prior to the start of the Second World War. It was made up almost totally of Ligurians
and Montferratians
.
Notes:
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 the Second World War
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 5th Division "Cosseria" 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 a binary division prior to the start of the Second World War. It was made up almost totally of Ligurians
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
and Montferratians
Montferrat
Montferrat is part of the region of Piedmont in Northern Italy. It comprises roughly the modern provinces of Alessandria and Asti. Montferrat is one of the most important wine districts of Italy...
.
Order of Battle October 1935
5th Infantry Division "Cosseria"- 41st Infantry Regiment "Modena"
- 42nd Infantry Regiment "Modena"
- 29th Artillery Regiment (2 x 75L13 bns)
- 505th MMG Battalion
- 5th Engineers Company
- 5th Replacements Battalion
Notes:
- Each Army Division in the Ethiopian Campaign had a Pack-Mules unit of 3000 mules and three Regimental Trucks units (20 light trucks each).
- Cosseria Division was organized in Ethiopia as a Binary Division (2 Infantry Rgts only)
Order of Battle June 1940
5th Infantry Division "Cosseria"- 89th Infantry Regiment "Salerno"
- 90th Infantry Regiment "Salerno"
- 5th 81mm Mortar Battalion
- 10th 81mm Mortar Battalion
- Antitank Gun Battalion
- 135th Antitank Gun Company (47/32)
- 335th Antitank Gun Company (47/32)
- Semoventi da 47/32 Company
- 37th Artillery Regiment
- 23rd Engineer Company