58 Infantry Division Legnano
Encyclopedia
The 58 Infantry Division Legnano was a Infantry
Division
of the Italian Army
during World War II
. The Legnano Division was sent to Albania
in January 1941, where it remained until June when it was recalled to Italy
. It then took part in the invasion of Vichy France
in November 1942. It returned to Italy again in July 1943 and surrendered to the Allies after the Italian surrender in September 1943. The Division then fought on the Allies
side in the Italian Co-Belligerent Army
.
The first action they took part in with the Allies was in the Cassino sector at Monte Lungo
. This action did much to remove the Allied distrust of the Italian soldiers fighting on their side. The unit suffered heavy casualties and performed well enough.
Following service with the American 5th Army and re-organization, they were transferred to the Polish II Corps on the extreme left of the British 8th Army.
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 Legnano Division was sent to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in January 1941, where it remained until June when it was recalled to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It then took part in the invasion 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...
in November 1942. It returned to Italy again in July 1943 and surrendered to the Allies after the Italian surrender in September 1943. The Division then fought on 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...
side in the Italian Co-Belligerent Army
Italian Co-Belligerent Army
The Italian Co-Belligerent Army , or the Army of the South , was the army of the Italian Royalist forces fighting on the side of the Allies during World War II....
.
The first action they took part in with the Allies was in the Cassino sector at Monte Lungo
Battle of San Pietro Infine
The Battle of San Pietro Infine was a major engagement from 8–17 December 1943, in the Italian Campaign of World War II involving Allied Forces attacking from the south against heavily fortified positions of the German "Winter Line" in and around the town of San Pietro Infine, just south of Monte...
. This action did much to remove the Allied distrust of the Italian soldiers fighting on their side. The unit suffered heavy casualties and performed well enough.
Following service with the American 5th Army and re-organization, they were transferred to the Polish II Corps on the extreme left of the British 8th Army.
Order of battle
- 67. PalermoPalermoPalermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
Infantry Regiment - 68. Palermo Infantry Regiment
- 58. Artillery Regiment
- 4. Artillery Regiment
- 162. Coastal Artillery Regiment
- 99. Frontier Regiment
- 58. Mortar Battalion
- 58. Anti-Tank Company
- 58. Engineer Battalion
- 61. Medical Section
- 163. Motor Transport Group
- 18. 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 - 19. Carabinieri Section
- 240. Carabinieri Section
- 104. BersaglieriBersaglieriThe Bersaglieri are a corps of the Italian Army originally created by General Alessandro La Marmora on 18 June 1836 to serve in the Piedmontese Army, later to become the Royal Italian Army...
Company