1st CC.NN. Division "23 Marzo"

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1st CC.NN. Division "23 Marzo"
1a Divisione CC.NN. 23 Marzo.png
1st CC.NN. Division "23 Marzo" insignia
Active23 April 1935 - 5 January 1941
CountryFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Italy
BranchFlag of the National Fascist Party (PNF).svg MVSN
Type Infantry
Size Division
Garrison/HQ Chieti
Motto(s)"Implacabile"
Engagements Second Italo-Ethiopian War
World War II
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 World War II - Mostrina - CC.NN.png World War II - Mostrina - CC.NN Artiglieria.png World War II - Mostrina - CC.NN Genio.png World War II - Mostrina - CC.NN Automobilisti.png World War II - Mostrina - CC.NN Sussistenza.png World War II - Mostrina - CC.NN Sanita.png
1st CC.NN. Division gorget patches

The 1st CC.NN. Division "23 Marzo" (Italian : 1ª Divisione CC.NN. "23 Marzo") was an Italian CC.NN. (Blackshirts militia) division raised on 23 April 1935 for the Second Italo-Ethiopian War against Ethiopia. [1] The name "23 Marzo" ("March 23rd") was chosen to commemorate the founding date of the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento on 23 March 1919. [2] The division took part in the Italian invasion of Egypt and was destroyed during the Battle of Bardia in January 1941.

Contents

History

The division was one of six CC.NN. divisions raised in summer 1935 in preparation for the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. Its members were volunteers from the various armed militias of the National Fascist Party's paramilitary wing and came from two regions: the 135th and 192nd CC.NN. legions, and the I CC.NN. Machine Gun Battalion from Tuscany and the 202nd CC.NN. Legion from Umbria. [3]

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

The division arrived in Massawa in Italian Eritrea between 28 August and September 1935. On 3 October the division crossed the Balasa river into Ethiopia. The division participated in the Battle of Amba Aradam and then in the Second Battle of Tembien. After the war the division was repatriated and then disbanded. [3]

World War II

The division was reformed in Chieti in 1939 and sent with three other CC.NN. divisions to Italian Libya. The division took part in the invasion of Egypt in September 1940, reaching Sidi Barrani in Egypt by October. On 1 December 1940 the division was at Bardia, where it was surrounded with other Italian units by British forces during Operation Compass. After a short siege the division was destroyed during the Battle of Bardia on 3-5 January 1941. [4]

Organization

1935

Below follows the division's organization during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and the cities, in which its CC.NN. battalions and companies/batteries were raised. [3]

The supply unit had 1,600 mules and the mixed transport unit 80 light trucks. The division engaged in war crimes in Ethiopia during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. [5]

1940

Below follows the division's organization at the start of the Italian invasion of Egypt and the cities, in which its CC.NN. battalions were raised. [4] [6]

Attached during the Battle of Bardia: [6]

CC.NN. Grouping "23 Marzo"

For the Italian participation in the Eastern Front the regiment-sized CC.NN. Grouping "23 Marzo" was raised as unit of the Italian Army in Russia: [8]

Commanding officers

During the Second Italo-Ethiopian War:

During the Italian invasion of Egypt: [6]

See also

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The Italian order of battle for the Second Italo-Ethiopian War on 8 October 1935. The Ethiopian order of battle is listed separately.

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References

  1. ↑ Yared, Ephrem (2016-03-08). "The Second Italo-Abyssinian War (1935–1936) •" . Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  2. ↑ "Fasci di combattimento | Italian political organization". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  3. 1 2 3 "Divisione CC.NN. "23 Marzo"". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  4. 1 2 "1ª Divisione CC.NN. "23 Marzo"". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Del Boca, Angelo (2007). Il gas di Mussolini. Il fascismo e la guerra d'Etiopia. ISBN   9788835958598.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Bollettino dell'Archivio dell'Ufficio Storico N.II-3 e 4 2002. Rome: Ministero della Difesa - Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito - Ufficio Storico. 2002. p. 352. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  7. ↑ F. dell'Uomo, R. di Rosa (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Secondo - Tomo II. Rome: SME - Ufficio Storico. p. 182.
  8. ↑ Le operazioni delle Unità Italiane al Fronte Russo (1941-1943). Rome: Ministero della Difesa Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito Ufficio Storico. 1977.

Sources


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