7th Blackshirt Division (Cirene) (Italy)
Encyclopedia
The Italian 7th Blackshirt Division Cirene was an Italian CCNN Blackshirt militia
unit formed for the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
under the command of Lt. Gen. Guido Scandolara. The division was deployed in Libya during the war against Ethiopia
to threaten the Suez Canal
should the British close it to Italian traffic. It was never deployed to Ethiopia, but was considered to have taken part in the campaign. It actually acted as a local garrison and engaged in various construction projects.
Notes:
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
unit formed for 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...
under the command of Lt. Gen. Guido Scandolara. The division was deployed in Libya during the war against Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
to threaten the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
should the British close it to Italian traffic. It was never deployed to Ethiopia, but was considered to have taken part in the campaign. It actually acted as a local garrison and engaged in various construction projects.
Order of Battle 1935-36
7th Blackshirt Division Cirene- 190th Blackshirts Legion "Pisa"
- 190th "Pisa" Blackshirts Battalion
- 341st "Volturno" Blackshirts Battalion
- 196th Blackshirts Legion "Petrarca"
- 196th "Petrarca" Blackshirts Battalion
- 245th "C.Pisacane" Blackshirts Battalion
- 198th Blackshirts Legion "Maremmana"
- 198th "Maremmano" Blackshirts Battalion
- 240th "Aquilia" Blackshirts Battalion
- 219th Blackshirts Legion "Caio Mario"
- 219th "Caio Mario" Blackshirts Battalion
- 244th "Irpino" Blackshirts Battalion
- 241st Blackshirts Legion "Volturno"
- 241st "Rismondo" Blackshirts Battalion
- 245th Volturno" Blackshirts Battalion
- 267th Blackshirts Legion "Etna"
- 248th "Tavogliere" Blackshirts Battalion
- 267th "Etna" Blackshirts Battalion
- 271st Blackshirts Legion "Vespri"
- 271st "Vespri" Blackshirts Battalion
- 276th "Cacciatori Guide di Sardegna" Blackshirts Battalion
- 352nd Blackshirts Legion "Acciaiata"
- 352nd "Acciaiato" Blackshirts Battalion
- 363rd "T.Gulli" Blackshirts Battalion
- 180th Machine-gun Company
- 180th Pack-artillery Battery CC.NN.
- 7th Motorized Artillery Regiment (Army)
- 4 x 65L17 pack-artillery batteries
- 2 x Replacements Battalions
- 7th Special Engineer Company (mixed CC.NN. and Army)
- 7th Mixed-formation Truck Company
Notes:
- Additionally the Blackshirts Divisions had a Medical Section and Logistics Section.
Source
- Ettore Lucas and Giorgio de Vecchi, "Storia delle Unità Combattenti della MVSN 1923-1943", Giovanni Volpe Editore, 1976. pages 63 to 116 plus errata.