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ORDE

OF THE

ITALIAN ARMY

SEPTEMBER 1942

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

WASHINGTON D.C.
PAGE NO.
FOREWORD

1. DISTRIBUTION OF FORCES BY AREAS 1

(A) ITALy .....................................•............................... 1

(B) NORTH AFRICA 3


(C) EAST AFRICA 6
(D) YUGOSLAVIA ~.... .......................•.... . 6
(E) ALBANIA & MONTENEGRO 7
(F) GREECE AND ISLANDS 8
(G) RUSSIA : 10
(H) DODECANESE 11

2. SUMMARIZED ORDER OF BATTLE


12

(A) HIGH COMMAND


Italy ~ '. _. . . . . . . . .. 1
North Africa : _ 3
Yugoslavia... .. . 6
Albania and Montenegro _..... ..•..... 7
Greece and Islands................................................. 8

Russia ...........................................................•...... 10

(B) ARMY GROUPS


Italy 1
North Africa...............................•...............•............. 3
Yugoslavia 6
Albania and Montenegro 7
Greece and Islands 8
Russia 10
(C) ARMIES
Italy ~ ~ 1
Nor th. Africa 3
yugoslavia 6
Albania and Montenegro 7
Greece and Islands ~ 8
Russia 10
(D) CORPS
Italy 2
North Africa 4
yugoslavia .............................•.............................. 6

Albania and Montenegro ,............ 8


Greece and Islands _ 9
Russia 10
(E) DIVISIONS
Italy.;...................................... 2
North Africa. :J.~:l :-~.: ~ C~.. 5
yugoslavia I'l'\' :... 7
Albania and Mo4~3n~g~o.\:1,i~.. o'.~ •••• 8
Greece and Islands ~ .. ; ~~:.. ~ . > _." 9
i
PAGE NO.

Russia 10

- Dodecanese. . . . . .. . ... .. . . .. . . . .. .. . . . . .. . .. 11

3. DETAILED ORDER OF BATTLE 13

(A) DIVISIONS 13,14,15,16,17,18


(B) REGIMENTS ; 13,14,15,16,17,18

4. AREAS IN ITALY -- HOME STATIONS 17

(A) ARMIES 19,20,21,22


(B) CORPS '," 19,20,21,22
(C) DIVISIONS 19,20,21,22
(D) REGIMENTS .•..........................................•.... 19,20,21,22

ii
1. Order of Battle information is Vii a he ¥tlitary Intelligence Serree.
This information received from many agencies scattered aU over the world,is
carefully, pieced together in the Order of Battle section, Military Intelligence Ser­
vice, in order to present to the combat commands of the United Nations the best
possible estimates of the enemy situation. The decisions which involve the lives
of thousands of American soldiers are based at least partially on Order of Battle
intelligence.

2. Order of Battle information. is classified under two headings:

"Order of Battle - Strength."


"Order of Battle - Location."

3. "Order of Battle - Strength" is 'a careful tabulation of all of the' units


in the Axis Armies, and of those organizations of the other services, the Navy,
and the Air Force, which operate with the field armies. An analysis of this in­
formation reveals:

Organization of enemy units.

Composition of enemyunits.

Detailed identification of enemy unit3.

Principles of employment (composition of sp~ial taskforres)

Total strength of Axis armies.

Strength of various arms of Axis armies.

Changes in tactical or strategical procedure as evidenced

by changes in organization.

4. From the Harder of Battle - Strength" records, the intelligence


officer's handbook, "The Order of Battle oithe German (Italian, Japanese, Hun­
garian, Rumanian; etc.,) Army," is published. This text enables the unit intelli­
gence officers, in combat to identify the enemy forces with whom they are engag­
ed. Another text, "The German {Italian, etc.) Forces in the Field," also com­
piled from Order of Battle information, will provide all of the known organization
history, the names' and qualifications of the commanders and staff officers, the
composition, the insignia, and any known combat characteristics of the enemy
units.

5. "Order of Battle - Location'" gives the disposition of Axis units, and


includes all information as to actual unit locations, movements, concentration.
areas, and changes in organization, equipment, and armament. A study of the
dispositions, the terrain, and fortificatipn activity, combined with a knowledge of
enemy tactical and strategical procedure, will enable intelligence officers to as­
sign priorities to enemy capabilities.

6. The mission of the,'i\""""",0~lf


, :r,,d,' " _",_", e, ::,I«~ ~" '", " '~:"t l,r" "~ " ". ", i.,r"~ .", ,' ,: " " ~" :,'",'~, ',"'; ' p.'", '", ! , r ~,' , ' , .~,: ', : iJ
," ""B,,I r\"~ ,I, \';~ ,I " ' i l ".'.'
a. To provide a so;~¥"p,~;ts"~~ ~'~~~~¥ii'~ii~~if h~'gf~~\d~s may be mada
"I,o"""""_",f"'''''"
• i,',:.'".,.'.,i", r,'"",',,",:,,'':.:.:J,'' ,',',',' '-"','",,,;,",,>,i"\",',',",:,'1
'j-

. To. make availa'P6~\ '~P;~Itt~H~8~,rr~l~::~l8:fff?~¢B~·Jin\tti~E£tE;;lda ll informa­


:t.
hon that WIll aSSIst them to perform thelr-dutles effIcIently.

iii
't/.
.
o
,~
1 t l m.' of Battle information:
e· ltS.
b .. Names and qualifications of enemy commanders and staff offiCErs:
Promotion lists published in papers "are a good source.
c. Dispositions (locations of enemy units).
d. Move"ments. -­
e. Concentration areas.
f. Types of units: 'The location of panzer or tank units, mountain
units, artillery concentrations, and other arms of offense is especially imporiant
g. Insignia: This includes personal insignia, unit insignia, deco~a­
tions, and the like. Sketches showing dimensions and colorS are very helpful.
h. Military symbols and abbreviations: These are necessary in or&r
that captured maps and documents may be translated.
,1. Captured maps, documents and other written material.
j. Maps of all kinds, especially new ones.
k. Lines of communications (changes in railways, canal systems,Etc.)
1. All information on mObilization: Case history of individuals, es­
pecially when they are typical, is of great assistance. Observe the promotion
rates for senior commanders for indications of an expansion.
m. Armament: Watch for new weapons, or modificatiol13 of standard
weapons.
n. Organization of enemy unit~ (especially for particular operations).
o. Casualties.
p. Auxiliary units (labor units, truck-driver or labor-service forma­
tions, etc., which operate under military jurisdiction).
q. Terrain.

r. Climate and weather.

s. Uniforms (particularly changes).

t. Types of personnel (with particular attention to specialists).

u. Special kinds of training.

Vi Changes in equipment:' For example, a new canister for gas maEks.

w. Boundaries of zones of action, or sectors.

x. Interest of Axis sources in special maps or special kinds of maps


(indications of suchotnterest are likely to occur in neutral countries).
y. Any special P,xis staff activity.

S. The information outlined in paragraph 7 applies to air and naval units


as well as to land organizations, especially those units which operate with the
field armies.

9. Order of Battle information should be transmitted to the Military In­


telligence Service as quickly as possi , arrives too late, it belongs to
still another classification, Historical."
~:.~'~"

10.~:~n:f'o~p±~ti~~\P ositions , identifications, move­


ments' ora:Bith~\' ';. ard a radical change in enemy procedure
should inva;qi,~)~ . d. Detailed, information of ,all kinds, such as name s of
staff officEjrs,;,in.'ew insignia, description of fortifications, and lists of military

iv
abbreviations b ~~ld be$eiif1py.;al~ mail. ·~Ifsuffieiently im­
portant,a summary of detaiie "0rmation··shoU1cib~cabledatt he t~me of ,m ail­
ing.

11. A suggested method for handling Order of Battle information follows:.


, .
a. P"fter having received it,write it in a report as quickly as possitle
. ar.d then study the informati·· 1 to see· whether a cable is required.
b. After a cable is drafted,' have apother officer read it to see if it

accurately reports the important information covered in the report.

c. If time is available, a written report should be submitted. &eiches,


maps, or overlays are very useful supplements to the written report.

12. Where the means are available, the location of enemy units should be
posted by means of pins on mounted maps. This procedure aSsists greatly in
evaluating Order of Battle reports at the iriformation-collecting agency.

13.Well-kept records of the data submitted by the various sources of in­


formation will enable the intelligence agenc.ies to evaluate the reliability ·of the
sources. This is iIIlportant be.cause sOTIie of the Axis powers. intentionally plant
falseinformaUon (s9metimes mixed with known reliable information) for our in­
telligence agencies to report. '

14. The minute details are important. Some Of these may have consider­
able significance when compared with information from other sources.

15. Officers and agencies sho~d evaluate the Order of Battle information
they receive and indicate their opinion of its reliability. The Order of Battle
Section may not have any other means of evaluating the report.

16. Where practical, the source of the ·Order of Battle information should
be indicated. If it is not desirable to mention names or sources in cables or re­
ports,a list of code names to represent them can be transmUted to the Military
Intelligence SerVice by secret letter. '

17. As far as possible, exploit sources which are not available or known
to represeIltatives and agencies of the other United Nations.

18. Personalities are important. For example, the appearance at Gibral­


tar of Oberst (Colonel) Mikosch, the German Commander who captured Fort
Eben Emael and who later broke the Maginot Line near Saarbrucken, may be
extremely significant.

. 19. All Order of Battle inforrnation is normally classified confidential,


. unless for some special reason a particular message or report should be class­
ified secret.

v
. 1;1 ~~
It~ts.
Order of Battle information, money is often
Cultivate a banker friend and watch all
~rrrt'E~S'. _ requently bonds, stocks, and checks will not vary' in value, b.utcash or:
currency wilL For example,during the first week lIl.Decembe:r 1941, in Berlin,
the ~tandard rate of exchange was 2.49 RM per dollar. This held true for valu­
able paper, but the cashdollar dropped suddenly several days before Pearl Har­
bor to 1.90 RM per dollar. Unexplainable variations in the value of money should
be cabled at once.

21. In exchanging Order of Battle information with sources,be careful


not to receive the same information later from other parties and accept it as
confirmation of your own information.

22. The following mistakes or inaccuracies have often nullified the


value of Order of Battle information in the past:

a. Use of foreign language initials or apbreviations which were not


familiar to persormel in MIS. Give the equivalent in English, usingU.S. mili­
tary terminology wherever possible .
. b. Th~ use of .oDsolete or improper geographical place names. Whm
appropriate, identify the map used. Whe'n one place has a name in twolangua~~
give both. A small place may be located with reference tO'a larger well-known
place. Many places have the same name. For example, there are several
towns named Chalons, France, andtherc' are several Frankfurts in Germany.
c. Information of movements has been sent by mail whenibshould
have been cabled. Many European reports reach Washington a month after they
are written. The concentration for the Balkan Campaign took place in about
two or three weeks.
d. Incorrect designations have been given to units. 119th Inf. means
nothing. When in doubt~ send foreign language designation of unit with your own
translation. Sometimes State Department personnel paraphrase the unit desig­
nation, and much time and effort is lost in rechecking. Send Order of Battle in­
formation by military codes as far as possible.
e. Order of Battle information has bE::tn included in other reports.
and incorrectly filed or lost ina a mass of other minutia. Order of Battle
should be submitted in reports with that title and given appropI'iate.IG file num~
bers 6905 or 6910. Where information pertinent to Order of Battle is submitted
in report form under other subjects anq. filed under other guide nurd:> ers, ref­
erence to it should be' made in the next .Order of Battle report.
f. The meaning in cabled dispatches was not clear.
g. The date of the Order of Battle information was not stated.
Answer as much of the "Who, what, when, w " and "where" as possible.
"What, 'when, " ~d "where" are e,
h. Transpos· e 196th Division in Norway
has been reported ,·si,on.Thiscaused some con­
cern since
/,.,'

~ ~I~"
22. Inform~tig¥i tiM'
'
dpnment of.:·oldunits, or the con­
version of one Unit into anothgf esign.atioIl,is important because it
affects the strength estimates. For exam e: Recent information indicates that
,the German 1st Cavalry Division was converted into the German 24th Panzer Di-
I /Vision.
/

* * * * .* *
This is the first edition of the Order of Battle of the Italian Army,

:pre~a.red and
lssl;led by the Military Intelligence Se.rvice.

The volume is so boUIid as to facilitate placing in a loose-leaf binder.


I Revision· sheets will be prepared and issued as additional informatlon becomes
availlable.
~ ~-, !.~-tr ~, if'-~', "".:&

~,: !.,.,tt}\r,.l.i~,"... Ii
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", -frm'
(A) Italy­
~

(1) High Command:

Location Date C. in Chief


Remarks

Frascati July 2, 1942 Marshal Cavallero Marshal Cavallero is also


(near Rome) Chief of Supreme G.S.

(2) Army Groups:

Name Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

Central, Prince of

Southern, Piedmont.

and Islands
of Sardinia,
and Sicily.
Group of the
East.
Group of the
West.

(3) Superior Commands:

Name Location Date ~omposition Commander Remarks

Superior
'T'rento Aug1Jst 7, 7 divisions, The divisions
Alpine
1942. only one in are tactically
Italy at pres­ under other
ent. corps.

(4) Armies:

No. Home Station Date Composition Commander Remarks

I Verona II Corps in'


Yugoslavia.
ill Rome or
. Scala
Naples~ll.J~ . ,~.J.l

\i"\ t
N Turinr~;;\ ( All corps
abroad.
vn Naples Aug. 8, XII Corps ­ Gen. (Duke of
1942., Sicily Bergamo).'

1
~marks

XIII Corps-
Sardinia.
XV Corps ­
Genoa.
TOTAL -- 4 Armies
(5) Corps
No. Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

I Turin May 7, All divisions


1940. abroad.
XII Sicily, July 15, 54 - Napoli,
Palermo. 1941. May 4, 1942.
XLII Sardinia, July 15, 30 ... Sabauda,
Cagliari. 1941. 31 - Calabria.
XV Genoa May 7, All divisio~
1940. abroad.
XXXI Catanzara April 28, 211 and 212
1942.

TOTAL -- 5 Corps.

(6) Divisions:

No. and Location Date Commander Remarks


Name

AH.MORED

134 Freccia Rome April 17.1 1942.

131 Centauro Udine Oct., 1941.


ALPINE Cuneo Aug. 7, 1942,.
Bis - ,It is believed
4 Cuneense
that two of these
exist.
MO'l'ORIZED

10 Piave Genoa Aug. 7, 1942.

PARACHUTE /0
45 Spezia Pisa· 'MJy/~5.,
INFANTRY ! j i,!
k':::;,~!'t;' ),1'7"',//-'\
7 Lupi di Sicily;~' -"A:ugf'-7}
Toscana (Calabria
12 Sassari Italy Nov. 12, 1941.
. 25 Volturna Italy

(Continued)
No. and Remarks
Name

28 Aosta Italy Dec. 20, 1941.


30 Sabauda Italy Dec. 20, 1941.
31 Calabria Italy Dec. 20, 1941.
32 Marche Italy Nov. 12, 1941.
44 Cremona Italy Dec. 20, 1941.
46 Udine Italy Nov. 12, 1941.
A7 Bari Italy Nov. 12, 1941.
54 Napoli Sicily May 4, 1942.
57 Lombardia Italy Nov. 1, 1941.
58 Legnano Italy Dec. 20, 1941.
104 Mantova Italy Aug. 7, 1942.
105 Rovigo Italy June 10, 1942.
151 Perugia Italy Dec. 20, 1941.
154 Murge Italy April 11, 1942._ On French -frontier
156 Vicenza Italy June 10, 1942.
Piaceriza Fossano Aug. 1, 1942.
157 Novaro Fossano June 10, 1942.
159 Veneto Fossano June 10, 1942.

COASTAL
211 CataI!Zara April 28, 1942.
212 Catanzara April 28, 1942.

TOTAL -- 28,Divisions.

(B) North Africa ­

(1) High Command:

Location Date C.. in· Chief Remarks

Toera -­ April 27, 1942. Gen. Bastico Gen. Maceratina and


North of Gen. Barbasetti Cerutti also ill Libyan
Bengazi Chief of Staff. Theater.

(2) Army Groups - Unknown:

(3) Armies:

No. Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

V
,r>
•~i~\acciolo Apr. 23/42
'i~di9f Gen. S.
rileiso

Commander Remarks

x Apr. 27, Gen. Guido (1) XX Corps was


1942. (Aug. 22, at El Adem. April.
1940}. 27, 1942.

TOTAL - - 2 Armies.

(4)- Corps:

No. Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

X Gadd e1 April 27, 25 Bo16gna ­ Gen. Nicco1osi,


Almur 1942. 27 Brescia ­ Aug. 22, 1940.
55 Savona ­
Aug., 1942.
xx E1 Adem April 27, 17 Pavia ­ Gen. Cone, (1) Destroyed ­
1942. 60 Sabrata ­ Aug. 22, 1940. being recon­
61 Sirte (1) structed, Apr.
1, 1942.
XXI North Aug. 22, 62 Marmarica(l) (1) Destroyed ­
Africa 1940. 63 Cirene (1) being recon­
stituted April
1. 1942.
XXII North Aug. 22, 3 B.S. Div (1) . (1) Destroyed.
Africa 1940. 4 B.S. Div. (1)
xxm North 1st B.S. Di1J. (1) (1) Destroyed.
Africa 2nd B.S. Div. (1)
Motor- North Aug. 31, 101 Trento
ized ,Africa. 1942. 102 Trieste
Corps
Armored North Aug. 31, 132 Ariete
Corps Africa 1942. 133 Littorio
\

Libyan North Aug. '22, 1st Libyan Div. Gen. Spattaco Status unknown.
Corps Africa 1940. 2nd Libyan Div.

TOTAL -- 5 Corps n~r;;\~~i~t~~g~"

Note: In ~ddi.~.',.~ · ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
achver::.~B~?:Sl~ssl~mne,nt~ovm.J; f.' . !GI
~.t l d.;,."T~.~
.,'•.' o.,•.: ;n'.' '. • ;.0. .• :', ·,•. :•. _:., a ,t. J iV ·,j.p,.iy.·:.'. •.·.•,)iS.,. e.,'. ;.
'I '.; a.
. ,:l. J.o'. :v,.,.,:e.",-.'•.:'C orps there are 9 more
d., .' ·J"/,,·,,!iU ""!.j:]:;,\) , 'ljc+C;JJ:/1

4
JEIED Commander Remarks

ARMORED
132 Ariete··, Cyrenaica. August 30, 1942~

133 Littorio' Cyrenaica August 30, 1942.

MOTORIZED
101 Trieste· Cyrenaica August 30, 1942.

102 Trento 4 Cyrenaica August 30,·1942.

17 Pavia· Cyrenaica August 30, J 942.

25 Bologna­ Cyrenaica August 30, 1942.

16Pistoia ".
Cyrenaica August 24, 1942.

PARACfIUTE
Folgore Cyrenaica August 31, 1942.

INFANTJtY-f
1 Superga Cyrenaica August 7, 1942.

4Llvorna North Africa August 7,1942.

llBrennero North Afrlca August 26, 1942.

_20 Friuli North Africa August 7, 1942.

26 Assieta North Africa August 7, 1942.

27 Brescia. North Africa May 30, 1942.

55 Savona· North Africa June 4,·1942. ° Gen. Levi

Aug 22/40
60 Sabrata. North Africa Aug. 25, 1942. Gen. Zaglio
•Aug22/40
o.

61 Sirte (1) North Africa Nov. 12, 1941. (1) Being recon­

stituted.

62 Marmarica ~North Africa Nov. 12, 1941. (1) Being recon­

(1) stituted.

63 Cirene "'-- North Africa Nov. 12, 1941. (1) Being recon­
stituted.
64 Catanzata ,North Africa Nov. 12, 1941. (2) Reconstituted.
(2)

NATIVE
1 Libyan (3) ~ North Africa Nov. 12, 1941. Gen. Spattoco (3) status unknown.
Aug. 22/40.
2 Libyan (3) ~ North Africa n. Spattoco (3) Status unknown.
ug. 22/40.

5
in 1941.

(D) .Yugoslavia.

(1) High Command:

Location Date C. in Chief Remarks

Susak, April 22, 1942. General Roatta


Croatia.

(2) Army Groups:

Name Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

Group of the April 22, TIArmy Gener~ Roatta


East. 1942. VI Army

(3) Armies:

No. Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

TI Susak April 22, Dalmatian Corps Gen. Delmazzo


1942. XXI Croatia­ April 22, 1942.
Lubiana

VI Dubrovnik April 12, Gen. Rosi,


1942. May 21, 1942.
IX Serbia Aug. 27, Gen. Pirzio ­ Part of this is
1942. Biroli. Montenegro.
TOTAL -- 3 Armies.

(4) Corns:

No. Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

TI April 22, 1942.


{:M ~).i :~;.;
Dalmatian Dalm~tia

XI Croatia­
Lubiana

TOTAL -- 3 Corps.

6
No. and
(5) WiLA IFiED
Location Date Commanrl.er Remarks
Name

ALPINE
1 Taurineense Yugoslavia April 28, 1942.

CELERE
1 Eugenio di Yugoslavia May 17, 1942.
Savoia

INFANTRY
13 Re Yugoslavia Dec. 20, 1941.
14Isonzo Yugoslavia Dec. 20, 1941.
15 Bergamo Yugoslavia June 4, 1942.
19 Venezia Yugoslavia May 4,1942.
21 Granatieri Yugoslavia Dec. 12, 1941.
di Sardegna
23 Ferraro Yugoslavia Aug. 7, 1942.
153 Macerata Yugoslavia Aug. 7, 1942.
155 Imilia Yugoslavia June 10, 1942.

TOTAL -- 10 Divisions.
Note: In addition there are 2 Black Shirt Bns. and 1 Carabinieri Bn. -­
April 22, 1942.

(E) Albania & Montenegro

(1) High Command:

Location Date C. in Chief Remarks

Montenegro August 27, 1941. Gen. Pirzio-Biroli

(2) Army Groups:

Name Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

Group of Augusl. 27, IX Army Gen. Pirzio­


East 1941. Biroli.

(3) Armies:

No. Commander Remarks

IX Monten Gen. Pirzio-Biro li


(Aug. 27, 1941)

7
No. sition Command Remarks

IV Albania Gen. Mercalli


XVII Albania

(5) Divisions:

No. and Location Date Commander Remarks


Name

ALPINE
5 Pusteria Montenegro July 15, 1941­
6 Reserve Montenegro May 16, 1942.

INFANTRY
18 Messina Albania May 16, 1942.
38 Puglie Albania Dec. 20, 1941­
41 Firenze Montenegro Dec. 20, 1941.
4-9 Parma Albania Dec. 20, 1941. Gen. Grattarolo
. (Aug. 22,1940).
53 Arezzo Koritza, May 4, 1942.
Albania.
TOTAL ..- 7 Divisions.

(F) Greece and Islands ­

(1) High Command:

Location Date C. in Chief Remarks

Larissa July 27, 1942. Gen. Geloso Gen. Bocai, C. of Carabinieri


(Aug. 3/41). Athens, March 30, 1942.

(2) Army Groups:

Name Location Date Composition Commander Remarks


!;¥f~i
Group of Peloponnesus M#qh 30,
the East. (Kiato) Ui9:42i
~4¢X~t:
(3) Armies:
No. Location Date ComRosition Commander Remarks
XI Larissa July 27, vm Corps Gen. Geloso
1942. XIV Corps (July 15, 1941)

No. Location Date Composition Commander Remarks

ill Athens July 10/42. Gen. Gianini

(Oct. 20/41)

V Peloponnesus July 10/42.

VI Greece July 10/42.

VII Cyclades July 10/42.

vm Volos July 29/42.

IX Jamna July 19/42.

XIV Janina ­ '-


XXVI Corfu July 10/42 Acqui
Gen. Vecchi
TOTAL -- 8 Corps.
(5) Divisions:

No. and
Name Location pate Commander Remarks

ALPINE
3.Julia Livadia July10, 1942.

INFANTRY
5 Cosseria Samos Aug. 9, 1942.
6 Cuneo Samos July 10, 1942.
24 Pinerolo Macedonia July 10, 1942.
29 Piemonte Patras July 10, 1942..
33 Acqui Corfu July 10, 1942.
36 Forli Larissa July 10, 1942.
37 Modena Janitza July 10, 1942.
48 Taro , Greece Dec. 20, 1941­
51 Siena Naupli July 10, 1942. Gen. Caliglion,
(Aug. 22/40)
56 Casale Agrinon July 10, 1942.
58 Cagliari Tripolis July 10, 1942.
162 - Greece May 4, 1942.
164 - Salonika Nov. 19, 1941­
230 - Crete June 4, 1942. Gen. Zanini
231 - Crete June 4, .1942. Gen. Zanini
232 ~ Crete June 4, 1942. Gen.. Zanini
TOTAL -- 17 Divisions.

9
(G) Russia­

(1) High Command:

Location Date C. in Chief Remarks

June 4, 1942 General Gariboldi


(June 4, 1942.)

(2) Army Groups - Not Known:

(3) Armies:

No. Location Date Composition Command Remarks

VIII May 29, 1942. One Corps. Gen. Gariboldi


One Corps.
1 light Corps.
1 Inf Corps.

(4) Corps:

No. Location Date Composition Command Remarks

Alpine May 29/42. (2 Tridentina Gen. Macarlo


May 29/42. (3 Julia
May 29/42. (4 Cuneense

Motorized May 29/42. (9 Pasubio Gen. Messe


May 29/42. (52 Torino
-April 3/42. (101 Trieste

Celere April 3/42. (1 Celere


April 3/42. (2 Celere
April 3/42. (3 Celere

Not Known Aug. 7/42. (2 Sforzeca Gen. Gambara It is believed


Aug. 7/42. (3 Ravenna that an In­
(22 Caeciatore fantry Corps
May 30/42. Delle Alpi must exist
for these
Divisions.
TOTAL -- 4 Corps.
(5) Division..­
No. and Date Commander Remarks
Locati0n
Name
MOTORIZED
101 Trieste
(Continued)
IfIED:

No. and Location Date Commander Remarks


Name

9 Pasubio April 3, 1942.


52 Torino August 30, 1942.

ALPINE
2 Tridentina August 7, 1942.
3 Julia August 7, 1942.
4 Cuneense August 7, 1942.

CELERE
1 Eugenio di April 3, 1942.
Savoia
2 :Emanuel . IvIay 30, 1942.
Filiberto
3 Duca di Aosta April 28, 1942.

illFANTRY
2 Sforzesca August 7, 1942.
3· Ravenno August 7, 1942.
22 Cacciatore May 30, 1942.
Delle Alpi
TOTAL -- 12 Divisions.
Note: In addition to the above there are a number of Black Shirt and
Carabinieri Bns. I

(H) Dodecanese Islands ­

(5) Divisions:

No. and Location Date Commander Remarks


Name

50 Regina Rhodes April 28, 1942.


TOTAL -- 1 Division -.-.Other smaller units.

11

2.

(1) Armies, Corps, and Divisions:

Theater Armies' Corps Divisions

Italy 4 5 28
North Africa 2 5 17
Yugoslavia 2 3 10
Albania and Montenegro 1 2 (1) 7
Greece and Islands 1 8 (2) 17
Russia 1 4 12
Dodecanese 1

TOTAL 11 27 92

Notes: (1)
The only elements of the IV Corps in Albania at present are the
4th Auto Center, 4th Engineers Regiment, Part of 91st Regiment
of Black Shirts.
(2)
The only elements remaining are 1 Bn., 9th Auto Center, 1 De­
tachment Engineers. (of the 9th Corps).

ARMY: An Italian Army is not necessarily very formidable. A captured docu­


ment shows that the composition of the VI Arrny early in 1941 consisted
of but 1 Corps with 2 Divisions. At the present time, Corps from the
Army are scattered in various theaters of war. The Army of the Po is
an illustration. Units' of this Army are in Russia, Yugoslavia, North
Africa, and Italy. This was first stationed at Verona, Italy and was com­
posed of:
1 Meet, -Lized Corps of 3 Divisions.
1 Celere Corps of 3 Divisions.
1 Motorized Corps of 2 Motorized Divisions.

. CORPS: The Corps is elastic, and like the Army it may be assigned to different
theaters accordiIlg to existing conditions. It may have ? or 3 Divisir'
or more. Present indications in Africa are that more than 3 Divisi
exist in some areas.

DIVISIONS: The composition of the Italian Division has been subject to seve.
changes since World War 1. The older fo:r:m of the Ternary Division
replaced by the modern Binary Division with 3 regiments, 2 Infantry,
1 Artillery. This was organized to meet requirements of modern wear­
as welf as mobility and fire power. There is no Cavalry Division; Cav­
alryRegiments are assignedto the Cel~re:X:)iyi~iop.§~rr.heTrento and
Trieste are the old o/P6 <lVJ:6torized B~yf~lq.~~'.n~ew, ,"No:d:h African"
types have. been organizeq~,.So~e qftp.e§(a,:l;~\i!,r R1.lpsia., Armored or
Corazzata Divisions haye';be~E·-or,~;~f~~,q~r,~hl.:~eiifP:f8~orazzata
12
["

rmedof Regiments and smaller

So far they have been

3. DETAILED ORDER OF BATTLE.

(1) Divisions and Regiments:

Type, Number ' COI.J.lposition Regts Commander


and Name Location Date Infantry Art

ARMORED
131 Centauro Udine October, 'Armd. 131
Italy 1941.
132 Ariete North August 7, Armd. 132
Africa 1942.
133 Littorio North August 7, Armd. 133
.Africa 1942.
134 Freccia Rome, April 17,
Italy 1942.

MOTORIZED
Bis - 101 Trieste Russia' A~:".'il
3, 65th & 66th 21st
1942.
101 Trieste North August 30, 65th & 66th 21st
Africa 1942.
102 Trento .:'North August 30, 61st& 62nd 46th
·7~'r{·:Africa 1942.
9 Pasubio Russia August 20, 79th & 80th 8th
1942.
52 Torino Russia August 20, 81st&82nd 52nd
1942.
17 Pavia North August 31, 27th &28th 26th Gen. Zaglio,
Africa 1942. (Aug 22, 1940).
25 Bologna North August 31, 39th & 40th 205th Gen. Levi,
Africa 1942. (Aug 22, 1940).
10 Piave Genao, August 7, . 57th & 58th 10th
Italy 1942.
16th Pistoia North August 24, 35th &36th 36th&3rd
Africa 1942.
PARACHUTE
45 Spezia Pisa, May 25, 125th &126th
Italy 1942.
Folgore North Augu~t.3k,?", 2 regts of
Africa
.,\
:h 9:12\ .\\ \~~;,~
"

~i'->-\,
'\"l'
'
paratroops,
185th & 186th
Inf.
,r4
13
(Continued)
1 Taurineense Yugoslav- Apt'll 28,
-;"'(
ia .' .' 19~2.-",
1 Tridentilia,<) R.ussia . Ali' 't'L!7l7" £I; '"

Li'L'.~l;!r,ti~~.i
'''\l>~:l,'

3 Julia RusSla~~jy
1942•.
3 Julia Greece July 10,
(Livadia) 1942.
4 Cuneense Russia August 7,
1942.
5 Pusteria Montene- December 20,
gro 1941.
6 Reserve Montene- May 16,
gro 1942.

CELERE
Bis - 1 Eugenio di Yugoslav- May 17,
Savoia ia 1942.
1 Eugenio di Russia April 3,
Savoia 1942.
2 Emanuel Russia May 30,
Filiberto 1942.
3 Duca di Russia April 28,
Aosta 1942.

INFANTRY
1 Superga North August 7, 91st&92nd 5th
Africa 1942.
2 Sforzesca Russia August 7, 53rd & 54th 17th
1942..
3 Ravenna Russia August 7, 37th &38th 11th
1942.
4 Livorna North August 7, 33rd &34th 28th
Africa 1942.
5 Cosseria Samos, August 7, 89th &90th 37th & lOath
Greece 1942. Mot. Arty.
6 Cuneo Samos, July 10, 7th &8th 27th
Greece 1942.
7 Lupi di Calabria, August 7, 77th &78th 30th
Toscana Italy 1942.
8
9 See Motorized
10 See Motorized ­
11 Brennero North Kugust 26,. 231~t &232nd i9th

Africa' I '19~2." . ' : : . \ , .' .•. . •. ,';,&',.. :'

12 Sassari Italy ~~~~trtQ~ri;i1i~+'st&;t.p2hqi:;Y ~;4~!


12, 19'41:"'-'0';;' \ ';'c,,;(;";'/,.y\; ;.~i p;,~

14

,'f'''':,,~,~\t

(Continued)
13 Re
~iti_iiI'
Yugosla­
_lIIIL.SMliI&.-Jl!lIil
Dece:rri.be~"
JED .
1st &2rid 23rd

via 20, 1941.


14Izonzo Yugosla­ December 23rd&24th 6th

via 20, 1941


15 Bergamo Yugosla­ June 4, 25th &26th 4th

via 1942.
16 See Motorized ­
17 See Motorized ­ 27th & 28th 26th
18 Messina Albania December 93rd & 94th 2nd Gen. Levis
20, 1941.
19 Venezia Yugosla­ May 4, ' 83rd &84th 19th
via 1942.
20 Friuli North August 7, 87fu&88th 35th

Africa 1943.
21 Granatieri Yugoslav- December 1st &2nd 13th

di Sardegna via 12, 1941


22 Caccatiori Russia May 30, -~ 51st&52nd 1st

Delle Alpi 1942. '


23 Ferrara Yugoslav- August 7~ 47th &48th 14th

via 1942.
Montene" August 15;
gro 1942.
24 Pinerolo Macedon- July 1'0, 13th &14th 18th
is, Greece 1942.
25 See Motirized
25 Volturna Italy '217th &218th 205th
26 Assieta North August 7 29th &30th 25th
Africa 1942.
27 Brescia North May 30, 19th&.2Oth 55th Gen Levi
Africa 1942. (Aug 22/40).
28 Aosta Italy December 5th & 6th 22nd Gen Malotti
20,1941
29 Piemonte Patras, July 10, 3rd&4th 24th
Greece 1942.
30 Sabauda Italy December. 45th &46th 16th
20, 1941
31 Calabria Italy December 59th & 60th 40th
20, 1941
32 Marche Italy November 55th &; 56th 32nd
12, 1
33 Acqui ':"';'\


.\
C
f~

'\~
\ '
'Il ."
',r .
33rd .

34 ­
35 ­ ;~;~~~~

36 Forli ~';lLarissa, July 10, 43th &44th 36th

Greece 1942.
37 Modena Janitza, July 10, 41st& 42nd 29th

Greece 1942.

15

(Continued)
38 Puglie 15th

39 ­
40 - .~:.

41 Firenze Montene- Decembert27th & 128th 41st


gro 20, 1941.
42
43
44 Cremona Italy December 21st &22nd 7th
20, 1941
46 Udine Italy November 95th & 96th
12, 1941
47 Bari Italy November 140th & 139th 47th
12, 1941.
48 Taro Greece December 207th & 208th 48th
20, 1941
49 Parma Albania December 49th & 50th 49th den Gratta­

20, 1941 rolo (Aug 22,

1940).

50 Regina Rhodes, April 28, 9th & 10th 50th


Dode­ 1942.
canese
51 Siena Naupli, July 10, 31st &32nd 51st Gen. Caligion,

Greece 1942. (Aug 22, 1940).

52 See Motorized - 52nd


53 Arezzo Albania May 4, 225th 226th 53rd
(Koritza)· 1942.
54 Napoli Sicily, May 4, 75th & 76th 54th
Italy 1942.
55 Savona North June 4, 15th & 16th 12th Gen. Levi

Africa 1942. (Aug 22, 1940).

56 Cassale Agrinon, July 10, 11th & 12th 56th


Greece 1942.
57 Lombardia, Italy November 73rd & 74th 57th
12, 1941
58 Legnano Italy December 67th &68th 58th
20, 1941.
59 Cagliari Tripolis; July 10, 63rd & 64th 59th Gen Tracchia,

Greece 1942. (Aug 22, 1940).

60 Sabrata North Augu$t 25, 42nd Gen Zaglio,

Africa 1942. (Aug 22, 1940).

(1) 61 Sirte North November 69th & 70th 43rd Gen Zaglio

Africa 12, 1941 (Aug 22, 1940).

(1) 62 Marmarica North NOY~rnbe~, ~h5t~_~

Africa 12,'194Ih" ( '-'

(1) 63 Cirene North Novemb~H157th&


~,"':'/l"::':,~, .,~"'l
Africa 12, 1e941\)-<,. '):- ;I
64: Catanzara North November 141st&

Africa 12, 1941

16
:

Gen. Nasi,
(Nov. 14, 1941,

104 Mantova Italy


IflD113ili
August 7, 113th
at Gondar).

1942.
151 Perugia Italy December
20, 1941
152 ­
153 Macerata Yugosla.... August 7, 121st & 122nd
via 1942. '
154 Murge France & April 1, -
Frontier 1942.
155 Imilia Yugosla- June 10,
via 1942.
156 Vicenza Italy June 10,
1942.
157 Navaro Italy June 10,
1942.
158 ­
159 Veneto Italy June 10,
1942.

162 ­ Greece May 4,

1942.

164 ­ Greece November


(Salonika) 19, 1941

COASTAL
211 ­ Italy, April 28,
(Catanzara) 1942.
212 ­ Italy, April 28,
(Catanzara) 1942.

INFANTRY
230 ­ Crete, June 4,
Gen Zanini,
Greece 1942.
(June 4, 1942).
231 ­ Crete, June 4,
Gen Zanini,
Greece 1942.
(June 4, 1942).
232 ­ Crete, June 4,
Gen Zanini,
Greece 19,421
(June 4, 1942)0

Piacenza ItaL;,' C~': u;' '.~ \ , 37th


(t~d~~~Ep2\ ~:~ ~a\ ,
V\ ':~ '''' "y,~ "''l. \;\ \fA ' \
LIBYAN U"~~~~;r

1 ­ North August 22, Gen Spattoco,


Africa 1940 (Aug 22, 1940).
17
(Continued)
2 North Gen Spattoco,
Africa (Aug 22, 1940).

(1) Being reconstituted April 1, 1942..

(2) Independent Armed Forces:

(a) Carabinieri.

1 SuperiOr Command in Italy


1 Superior Command in Albania
Carabinieri Bns. in Russia
Carabinieri Bns. in Greece (Athens).
Carabinieri Bns. in Yugoslavia
Carabinieri Bns. in North Africa /

Note: In addition to the Command jn Albania and L.'1 Italy there are 3
Carabinieri Divisions and 7 Brigades. The Bns. of these units
are assigned to the theaters of war as necessity arises. The
Carabinieri function as Military Police.

(b) Frontier Guards.

32 Regiments - On Italian Borders.

18

.. . . ....

Army ­ Corps ­ Division - Number of


Location Location Location Regiments

I - Turin I - Turin 1 Superga - 91st and 92nd Inf., 5th Art.


Turin
26 Assieta - 29th & 30th Inf., 25th Art.
Asti
59 Cagliari - 63rd & 64th Inf. 59th Art.
Vercelli

II - Alessan­ 3 Ravenna - 37th & 38th Inf. 11th Art.


dria Alessandria

4 Livorno -
Cuneo 33rd & 34th Inf. 28th Art.
36 Forli -
Saluzzo 43rd & 44th Inf. ­

II-Padua v- Trieste 12 Sassari - 151st & 152nd Inf. 23rd Art.


Trieste
15 Bergamo.
Abbazia 25th & 26th Inf. 4th Art.
57 Lombardia -73rd & 74th Inf. 57th Art.
Pola
vI' - Bologna 16 Pistoia -; 35th & 36th Inf. 3rd Art.
Bologna
18 Messina - 93rd & 94th Inf. 2nd Art.
Ancona
56 Casale - 11th & 12th Inf. 56th Art.
Forli

XI - Udine 13 Re - Udine 1st & 2nd 1nf 34th Art.


14 Isonzo -
Gorizia 23rd & 24th Inf. 6th Art.

XIV - Treviso 32 Marche - 55th & 56th Inf. 32nd Art.


nezia
lie - 71st & 72nd Inf. 15th Art.
egliano

1 Granat~eri- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. 13th Art.


Roma Gran.
22 Cacatiore 51st & 52nd Inf. 1st Art.
Delle Alpi ­
Perugia
I

Army­ Corps ­ Number of


Location Location Regiments
52 Torin~>~CiVi.ta-~ '..
vecchia 81st & 82nd Inf. 52nd Art.

IX - Bari 24 Pinerola - 13th &. 14th Inf. 18th Art.


qhieti
47 Bari - Bari 139th & 140th In1.
49 Parma- 49th & 50th Inf.
Macerata

xvn - Naples 48 Taro - 207th & 208th Inf.


Salerno
51 Siena - 31st & 32nd Inf.
Napolo

IV -. Milan or ill -. Milan 2 Sforzesca - 53rd & 54th Inf. 17th Art.
Verona Novara
6 Cuneo- 7th & 8th Inf. ' 27th Art.
Milan
7 Lupi di 77th & .78tli Inf. 30th Art.
Tosca ~
Brescia
'58 Legnano - 67th & 68th Inf. 58th Art.
Milan

IV - Bol2al1o 11 Breruiero - 231 & 232 Inf. 9th Art.


Balzano
33 Acqui - 17th & 18th Inf.
Merano

V - Libya x - Libya 25 Bologna - 39th & 40th Inf. 10th Art.


(Tripoli) Libya
27 Brescia - 19th & 20th Inf.
Libya'
55 Savona - 15th & 16th Inf. 12th Art.
Libya

xx ... Tripoli 17 Pavia - 27th & 28th Inf. 26th Art.


Libya
•. \ { Q,@,SabIj~ta::- 85th, & Bq,thInf. 42nd Art.
,:,;~~~,arian ',{ «> "'.:1 .' ~
:J ~d ~~li'~~!~11J~~r\~)",;t~o~ih ~. ,~~1~Jnf.
I
43rd Art.

20

ivision ­ Number of
·ocation Regiments

1 Black Shirt
2 Black Shirt

VI - Verona Celere ­ 1 Eugenia di 11 Bers. Regt. - Piemonte


or Gorizia Padua Savoia-Udine Cavalry Regiment - 1st Art.
Regt. - Saluzzo Cavalry
Regt.-- 6 Bers. Regiment.
2 Emanuel Fili- Firenze Cavalry Regt.
berto - Ferrara Vittorio Emanuel Cav. Regt.
2 Artillery Regiments.

3 Bers. Regts.

3 Duca di Aosta ­ Novara Cavalry Regt. -­


Verona Savoia Cavalry Regiment,

and 3 Artillery Regiments.

Corazzata ­ 132 Ariete ­ 8 Bers. Regt. - 32nd Tank

Mantova Verona Regt. - 132 Art.

133 Littorio ­ 12 Bers. Regt. - 33 Tank

Parma Regt. 133 Art. Regt.

Autotrans­ 9 Pasubio ­ 79th & 80th Info 8th Art.


portabile Verona
Corps ­
Cremona 10 Piave ­
57th & 58th Inf. 20th Art.
Padova

102 Trento ­
7 Berso Regt. 61st & 62nd
Trento
Mot.Inf. 46th Art.
101 Trieste ­
9th Bers . Regiment 65th &
Piacenza
66th Mot. Inf. - 21st Art.

VII Naples VI - Florence 20 Friuli - Liv­


87th & 88th Inf.
orno

41 Firenzi ­
127th & 128th Info 44th Art.
Firenze

44 Cremona­
21st & 22nd Info 7th P_rt.
Pisa

46 Udine ~ Siena
95th & B6thJnf.
"""41

89th & 90th Inf. 37th Art.

41st & 42nd :In(. 29th Art.

21

Army - Corp:;; - D~ytsip;nl-Regiment, Cont'd.

~~~Ji~n i~~:i~n 'i:;l:/ilt~'t~~' umber of


;giments
~:
VIII - Russia Home station
not known
IX - Montenegro Home Station See Montenegro
not known and Albania
X - Bengazi XXI - Bengazi 62 Marmarica - 115th & 116th Inf. 44th Art.
Derna
63 Cirene - 157th & 158th Inf. 45th Art.
Bengazi

XXII - Derna 3 Black Shirt­


4 Black Shirt ­

XI - Yugoslavia See Yugoslavia

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