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|caption=64th Infantry Division 'Catanzaro" insignia
|caption=64th Infantry Division 'Catanzaro" insignia
|dates= 1940–1941
|dates= 1940–1941
| country = {{flagicon|Italy|1861}} [[Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946)|Kingdom of Italy]]
| country = {{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
| branch = {{army|Kingdom of Italy}}
| allegiance =
| branch = {{flagicon|Italy|1861}} [[Royal Italian Army]]
|type=[[Infantry]]
|type=[[Infantry]]
|role=
|role=
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|identification_symbol=[[File:Mostrina - 141°, 142° "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - 203° Rgt. Artiglieria "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - LXIV Btg. Genio Divisione "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Sanità Divisione "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Fanteria carrista.png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Battaglioni mitraglieri.png|30px]]<br />Catanzaro Division [[Italian Army gorget patches#Royal Italian Army|gorget patches]]
|identification_symbol=[[File:Mostrina - 141°, 142° "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - 203° Rgt. Artiglieria "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - LXIV Btg. Genio Divisione "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Sanità Divisione "Catanzaro".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Fanteria carrista.png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Battaglioni mitraglieri.png|30px]]<br />Catanzaro Division [[Italian Army gorget patches#Royal Italian Army|gorget patches]]
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The '''64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"''' ({{lang-it|64ª Divisione di fanteria "Catanzaro"}}) was an [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[Royal Italian Army]] during [[World War II]]. The division was activated on 3 June 1940 and named for the Southern Italian city of [[Catanzaro]]. The division's [[regimental depot]]s were in mainland Italy in [[Calabria]] and shared with other divisions recruiting in the region. The division was classified as an auto-transportable division, meaning staff and equipment could be transported on cars and trucks, although not simultaneously. The division took part in the [[Italian invasion of Egypt]] and was destroyed on 5 January 1941 during the [[Battle of Bardia]].<ref name="Regio Esercito">{{cite web |title=64ª Divisione di fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv64.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="Ufficio Storico">{{cite book |title=Bollettino dell'Archivio dell'Ufficio Storico N.II-3 e 4 2002 |date=2002 |publisher=Ministero della Difesa - Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito - Ufficio Storico |location=Rome |page=317 |url=https://issuu.com/rivista.militare1/docs/bollettino-ii-n.3-4-2002-testo |access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>
The '''64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"''' ({{lang-it|64ª Divisione di fanteria "Catanzaro"}}) was an [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[Royal Italian Army]] during [[World War II]]. The division was activated on 3 June 1940 and named for the Southern Italian city of [[Catanzaro]]. The division's [[regimental depot]]s were in mainland Italy in [[Calabria]] and shared with other divisions recruiting in the region. The division was classified as an auto-transportable division, meaning it had some motorized transport, but not enough to move the entire division at once. The division took part in the [[Italian invasion of Egypt]] and was destroyed on 5 January 1941 during the [[Battle of Bardia]].<ref name="Regio Esercito">{{cite web |title=64ª Divisione di fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv64.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="Ufficio Storico">{{cite book |title=Bollettino dell'Archivio dell'Ufficio Storico N.II-3 e 4 2002 |date=2002 |publisher=Ministero della Difesa - Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito - Ufficio Storico |location=Rome |page=317 |url=https://issuu.com/rivista.militare1/docs/bollettino-ii-n.3-4-2002-testo |access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
=== World War I ===
=== World War I ===
The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Catanzaro" established in preparation for Italy's entry into [[World War I]] in [[Catanzaro]] on 1 March 1915. The brigade consisted of the 141st and 142nd infantry regiments, which were manned by reservists from [[Calabria]]. The brigade fought on the [[Italian front (World War I)|Italian front]] and its conduct the brigade's 141st Infantry Regiment was awarded Italy's highest military honor, the [[Gold Medal of Military Valour]].<ref>{{cite web |title=141° Reggimento Fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/18254 |publisher=President of Italy |access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref> After the war the brigade and its two regiments were disbanded in June 1920.<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>
The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Catanzaro" established in preparation for Italy's entry into [[World War I]] in [[Catanzaro]] on 1 March 1915. The brigade consisted of the 141st and 142nd infantry regiments, which were manned by reservists from [[Calabria]]. The brigade fought on the [[Italian front (World War I)|Italian front]] and its conduct the brigade's 141st Infantry Regiment was awarded Italy's highest military honor, the [[Gold Medal of Military Valor]].<ref>{{cite web |title=141° Reggimento Fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/18254 |publisher=President of Italy |access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref> After the war the brigade and its two regiments were disbanded in June 1920.<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>


On 3 June 1940 the 64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro" was activated in [[Acroma]] in [[Libya]] with its two traditional infantry regiments and the 203rd Artillery Regiment. The latter regiment had been part of the disbanded [[3rd CC.NN. Division "21 Aprile"]], whose minor Royal Italian Army units and equipment were also transferred to the Catanzaro.<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>
On 3 June 1940 the 64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro" was activated in [[Acroma]] in [[Libya]] with its two traditional infantry regiments and the 203rd Artillery Regiment. The latter regiment had been part of the disbanded [[3rd CC.NN. Division "21 Aprile"]], whose minor Royal Italian Army units and equipment were also transferred to the Catanzaro.<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>


Due to the urgent need to reinforce Libya the two infantry regiments of the division had been formed by six different infantry regiments in mainland Italy:
Due to the urgent need to reinforce Libya the two infantry regiments of the division had been formed by six different infantry regiments in mainland Italy:
⚫
* [[141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"]] - raised on 23 May 1940<ref>{{cite web |title=141° Reggimento di fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt141.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>

⚫
* 141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro" - raised on 23 May 1940<ref>{{cite web |title=141° Reggimento di fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt141.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
** Regimental Command - raised in [[Modena]] by the regimental depot of the 36th Infantry Regiment "Pistoia"/ [[16th Infantry Division "Pistoia"]]
** Regimental Command - raised in [[Modena]] by the regimental depot of the 36th Infantry Regiment "Pistoia"/ [[16th Infantry Division "Pistoia"]]
** I Battalion - raised in [[Brescia]] by the regimental depot of the 77th Infantry Regiment "Lupi di Toscana"/ [[7th Infantry Division "Lupi di Toscana"]]
** I Battalion - raised in [[Brescia]] by the regimental depot of the 77th Infantry Regiment "Lupi di Toscana"/ [[7th Infantry Division "Lupi di Toscana"]]
** II Battalion - raised in Modena by the regimental depot of the 36th Infantry Regiment "Pistoia"/ 16th Infantry Division "Pistoia"
** II Battalion - raised in Modena by the regimental depot of the 36th Infantry Regiment "Pistoia"/ 16th Infantry Division "Pistoia"
** III Battalion - raised in [[Mantova]] by the regimental depot of the 80th Infantry Regiment "Roma"/ [[9th Infantry Division "Pasubio"]]
** III Battalion - raised in [[Mantua]] by the regimental depot of the [[80th Infantry Regiment "Pasubio"]]/ [[9th Infantry Division "Pasubio"]]
* 142nd Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro" - raised on 23 May 1940<ref>{{cite web |title=142° Reggimento di fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt142.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
* 142nd Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro" - raised on 23 May 1940<ref>{{cite web |title=142° Reggimento di fanteria "Catanzaro" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt142.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>
** Regimental Command - raised in [[Catania]] by the regimental depot of the 4th Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"/ [[29th Infantry Division "Piemonte"]]
** Regimental Command - raised in [[Catania]] by the regimental depot of the [[4th Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"]]/ [[29th Infantry Division "Piemonte"]]
** I Battalion - raised in [[Perugia]] by the regimental depot of the 51st Infantry Regiment "Alpi"/ [[22nd Infantry Division "Cacciatori delle Alpi"]]
** I Battalion - raised in [[Perugia]] by the regimental depot of the 51st Infantry Regiment "Alpi"/ [[22nd Infantry Division "Cacciatori delle Alpi"]]
** II Battalion - raised in [[Bari]] by the regimental depot of the 48th Infantry Regiment "Ferrara"/ [[23rd Infantry Division "Ferrara"]]
** II Battalion - raised in [[Bari]] by the regimental depot of the [[48th Infantry Regiment "Ferrara"]]/ [[23rd Infantry Division "Ferrara"]]
** III Battalion - raised in Catania by the regimental depot of the 4th Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"/ 29th Infantry Division "Piemonte"
** III Battalion - raised in Catania by the regimental depot of the 4th Infantry Regiment "Piemonte"/ 29th Infantry Division "Piemonte"


The 141st Infantry Regiment landed in [[Derna, Libya|Derna]] in Libya on 3 June 1940, while the 142nd Infantry Regiment landed in [[Tobruk]] on 6 June 1940. The division entered [[World War II]] with the following major units:
The 141st Infantry Regiment landed in [[Derna, Libya|Derna]] in Libya on 3 June 1940, while the 142nd Infantry Regiment landed in [[Tobruk]] on 6 June 1940. The division entered [[World War II]] with the following major units:

* '''64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"''', in [[Acroma]]
* '''64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"''', in [[Acroma]]
** 141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro", in [[Benghazi]]
** [[141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"]], in [[Benghazi]]
** 142nd Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro", in [[Marj]]
** 142nd Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro", in [[Marj]]
** 203rd Artillery Regiment "Catanzaro", in Acroma
** 203rd Artillery Regiment "Catanzaro", in Acroma
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[[File:WesternDesertBattle Area1941 en.svg|thumb|Western Desert 1940]]
[[File:WesternDesertBattle Area1941 en.svg|thumb|Western Desert 1940]]


After Italy's entry into [[World War II]] on 10 June 1940 the Catanzaro was deployed at [[Acroma]] to guard the approach to [[Tobruk]]. On 9 September 1940 the [[Italian invasion of Egypt]] commenced and the Catanzaro followed the bulk of the [[10th Army (Italy)|10th Army's]] into [[British Egypt]] on 13 September. After the capture of [[Sidi Barrani]] on 16 September, the 10th Army formed a defensive line composed of big outposts separated by wide desert areas and the Catanzaro moved to Sidi Barrani to guard the coastal railroad, the 10th Army's vital supply line.<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>
After Italy's entry into the war on 10 June 1940 the Catanzaro was deployed at Acroma to guard the approach to [[Tobruk]]. On 9 September 1940 the [[Italian invasion of Egypt]] commenced and on 13 September the Catanzaro followed the bulk of the [[10th Army (Italy)|10th Army's]] into [[British Egypt]]. After the capture of Sidi Barrani on 16 September, the 10th Army formed a defensive line composed of big outposts separated by wide desert areas and the Catanzaro moved to Sidi Barrani to guard the coastal railroad, the 10th Army's vital supply line.<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>


On the nights of 7 December and 8 December 1940 the British [[Western Desert Force]] under of Major-General [[Richard O'Connor]] and comprising the British [[7th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|7th Armoured Division]] and Indian [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Infantry Division]], reinforced by the British [[16th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|16th Infantry Brigade]] advanced {{convert|70|mi|km}} to their starting positions for [[Operation Compass]].<ref>Playfair, p 266</ref> At the time the Catanzaro was defending the Buqbuq sector, between the [[63rd Infantry Division "Cirene"]] at Ābār Abū Safāfī (Sofafi) to the South, and the [[1st Libyan Division (Italy)|1st Libyan Division]] at Al Maktīlah (Maktila) and [[2nd Libyan Division (Italy)|2nd Libyan Division]] at ‘Alam aţ Ţummār (Tummar) to the North. The heavy bombardment and British armored attack at ’Alam Rimth on 9 December 1940 penetrated the Catanzaro's defenses. The annihilation of the [[Maletti Group]] at ‘Alam Nibeiwa on the same day aggravated the situation. Unable to resist or stop the attacks, the Catanzaro linked up with other Italian units at Buqbuq and covered the retreat of the [[4th CC.NN. Division "3 Gennaio"]] and the Headquarters of the "Libyan Corps" from [[Sidi Barrani]] along the coastal railroad on 10 December 1940.<ref>Macksey, p. 68</ref> By 11 December Buqbuq had been cleared of all Italian troops, many of whom had been captured.<ref>Playfair, p 270</ref> The remnants of the division were able to make a stand at Bir Tishdida, at the eastern outskirts of [[Sallum]], and contained the British advance, at the cost of the majority of the remaining Italian tanks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comandosupremo.com/forums/topic/3744-italian-tank-bns-in-libya-and-egypt-operation-compass/ |title=Italian Tank Bns in Libya and Egypt - Operation Compass - Comando Supremo |website=www.comandosupremo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193457/http://www.comandosupremo.com/forums/topic/3744-italian-tank-bns-in-libya-and-egypt-operation-compass/ |archive-date=2016-03-04}} </ref> On 13–14 December 1940, the Catanzaro under relentless British pressure retreated to [[Sallum]] proper, and on 15 December 1940 fell back to the defensive perimeter of [[Bardia]]. What remained of the division was completely destroyed in the [[Battle of Bardia]] by 5 January 1941.
On the nights of 7 December and 8 December 1940 the British [[Western Desert Force]] under of Major-General [[Richard O'Connor]] and comprising the British [[7th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|7th Armoured Division]] and Indian [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Infantry Division]], reinforced by the British [[16th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|16th Infantry Brigade]] advanced {{convert|70|mi|km}} to their starting positions for [[Operation Compass]].<ref>Playfair, p 266</ref> At the time the Catanzaro was defending the Buqbuq sector, between the [[63rd Infantry Division "Cirene"]] at Ābār Abū Safāfī (Sofafi) to the South, and the [[1st Libyan Division (Italy)|1st Libyan Division]] at Al Maktīlah (Maktila) and [[2nd Libyan Division (Italy)|2nd Libyan Division]] at ‘Alam aţ Ţummār (Tummar) to the North. The heavy bombardment and British armored attack at ’Alam Rimth on 9 December 1940 penetrated the Catanzaro's defenses. The annihilation of the [[Maletti Group]] at ‘Alam Nibeiwa on the same day aggravated the situation. Unable to resist or stop the attacks, the Catanzaro linked up with other Italian units at Buqbuq and covered the retreat of the [[4th CC.NN. Division "3 Gennaio"]] and the Headquarters of the "Libyan Corps" from [[Sidi Barrani]] along the coastal railroad on 10 December 1940.<ref>Macksey, p. 68</ref> By 11 December Buqbuq had been cleared of all Italian troops, many of whom had been captured.<ref>Playfair, p 270</ref> The remnants of the division were able to make a stand at Bir Tishdida, at the eastern outskirts of [[Sallum]], and contained the British advance, at the cost of the majority of the remaining Italian tanks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comandosupremo.com/forums/topic/3744-italian-tank-bns-in-libya-and-egypt-operation-compass/ |title=Italian Tank Bns in Libya and Egypt - Operation Compass - Comando Supremo |website=www.comandosupremo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193457/http://www.comandosupremo.com/forums/topic/3744-italian-tank-bns-in-libya-and-egypt-operation-compass/ |archive-date=2016-03-04}} </ref> On 13–14 December 1940, the Catanzaro under relentless British pressure retreated to [[Sallum]] proper, and on 15 December 1940 fell back to the defensive perimeter of [[Bardia]]. What remained of the division was completely destroyed in the [[Battle of Bardia]] by 5 January 1941.
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== Organization ==
== Organization ==
* [[File:64a Divisione Fanteria Catanzaro.png|25px]] '''64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"'''<ref name="Regio Esercito"/><ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
* [[File:64a Divisione Fanteria Catanzaro.png|25px]] '''64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"'''<ref name="Regio Esercito"/><ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
** 141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"
** [[141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"]]
*** Command Company
*** Command Company
*** 3x Fusilier battalions
*** 3x Fusilier battalions
*** Support Weapons Company ([[Cannone da 65/17 modello 13|65/17]] [[infantry support gun]]s)
*** Support Weapons Company ([[Cannone da 65/17 modello 13|65/17 mod. 13]] mountain guns)
*** Mortar Company ([[81/14 Model 35 Mortar|81mm Mod. 35]] [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]])
*** Mortar Company ([[81/14 Model 35 Mortar|81mm mod. 35]] [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]])
** 142nd Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"
** 142nd Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"
*** Command Company
*** Command Company
*** 3x Fusilier battalions
*** 3x Fusilier battalions
*** Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
*** Support Weapons Company (65/17 mod. 13 mountain guns)
*** Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
*** Mortar Company (81mm mod. 35 mortars)
** 203rd Artillery Regiment "Catanzaro"<ref>{{cite book |last1=F. dell'Uomo, R. di Rosa |title=L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Secondo - Tomo II |year=1998 |publisher=SME - Ufficio Storico |location=Rome |page=185}}</ref>
** 203rd Artillery Regiment
*** Command Unit
*** Command Unit
*** I Group ([[10 cm M. 14 Feldhaubitze|100/17]] howitzers)
*** I Group ([[Cannone da 75/27 modello 06|75/27 mod. 06]] [[field gun]]s)
*** II Group ([[Cannone da 75/27 modello 06|75/27]] [[field gun]]s)
*** II Group (75/27 mod. 06 field guns)
*** III Group (75/27 field guns)
*** III Group ([[10 cm M. 14 Feldhaubitze|100/17 mod. 14]] howitzers)
*** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries ([[Breda Model 35|20/65 Mod. 35]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s)
*** 3rd Anti-aircraft Battery ([[Breda Model 35|20/65 mod. 35]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s)
*** 203rd Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 mod. 35 anti-aircraft guns)
*** Ammunition and Supply Unit
*** Ammunition and Supply Unit
** XX Tank Battalion "L" ([[L3/35]] tankettes)
** [[20th Tank Battalion "M.O. Pentimalli"|XX Tank Battalion "L"]] ([[L3/35]] tankettes)
** LXIII Tank Battalion "L" (L3/35 tankettes, transferred from [[63rd Infantry Division "Cirene"]] on 9 December 1940)
** [[63rd Tank Battalion "M.O. Fioritto"|LXIII Tank Battalion "L"]] (L3/35 tankettes, transferred from [[63rd Infantry Division "Cirene"]] on 9 December 1940)
** LXIV Machine Gun Battalion (former CCIII Machine Gun Battalion)
** LXIV Machine Gun Battalion (former CCIII Machine Gun Battalion)
** LXIV Mixed Engineer Battalion (former CCIII Mixed Engineer Battalion)
** LXIV Mixed Engineer Battalion (former CCIII Mixed Engineer Battalion)
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== Commanding officers ==
== Commanding officers ==
The division's commanding officers were:<ref name="Regio Esercito"/><ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
The division's commanding officers were:<ref name="Regio Esercito"/><ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
* [[Military ranks of the Kingdom of Italy#Ranks during the Second World War|Generale di Brigata]] [[Giuseppe Stefanelli]] (3–20 June 1940)

* [[Military ranks of the Kingdom of Italy#Ranks during the Second World War|Generale di Brigata]] [[Giuseppe Stefanelli]] (3 June 1940 - 20 June 1940)
* Generale di Brigata [[Lorenzo Mugnai]] (21 June – 5 December 1940)
* Generale di Brigata [[Lorenzo Mugnai]] (21 June 1940 - 5 December 1940)
* Generale di Brigata [[Giuseppe Amico]] (6 December 1940 – 5 January 1941)
* Generale di Brigata [[Giuseppe Amico]] (6 December 1940 - 5 January 1941)


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

⚫
* {{cite book|title=A Military History of Italy|author=Paoletti, Ciro|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2008|isbn=978-0-275-98505-9}}
==Bibliography==
⚫
* {{cite book |title=A Military History of Italy |last=Paoletti |first=Ciro |publisher=Greenwood |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-275-98505-9}}


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[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:64th Infantry Division Catanzaro}}

Latest revision as of 11:50, 11 January 2024

64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"
64th Infantry Division 'Catanzaro" insignia
Active1940–1941
Country Kingdom of Italy
Branch Royal Italian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Generanl Giuseppe Amico
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Catanzaro Division gorget patches

The 64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro" (Italian: 64ª Divisione di fanteria "Catanzaro") was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. The division was activated on 3 June 1940 and named for the Southern Italian city of Catanzaro. The division's regimental depots were in mainland Italy in Calabria and shared with other divisions recruiting in the region. The division was classified as an auto-transportable division, meaning it had some motorized transport, but not enough to move the entire division at once. The division took part in the Italian invasion of Egypt and was destroyed on 5 January 1941 during the Battle of Bardia.[1][2]

History

[edit]

World War I

[edit]

The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Catanzaro" established in preparation for Italy's entry into World War I in Catanzaro on 1 March 1915. The brigade consisted of the 141st and 142nd infantry regiments, which were manned by reservists from Calabria. The brigade fought on the Italian front and its conduct the brigade's 141st Infantry Regiment was awarded Italy's highest military honor, the Gold Medal of Military Valor.[3] After the war the brigade and its two regiments were disbanded in June 1920.[1]

On 3 June 1940 the 64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro" was activated in Acroma in Libya with its two traditional infantry regiments and the 203rd Artillery Regiment. The latter regiment had been part of the disbanded 3rd CC.NN. Division "21 Aprile", whose minor Royal Italian Army units and equipment were also transferred to the Catanzaro.[1]

Due to the urgent need to reinforce Libya the two infantry regiments of the division had been formed by six different infantry regiments in mainland Italy:

The 141st Infantry Regiment landed in Derna in Libya on 3 June 1940, while the 142nd Infantry Regiment landed in Tobruk on 6 June 1940. The division entered World War II with the following major units:

World War II

[edit]
Western Desert 1940

After Italy's entry into the war on 10 June 1940 the Catanzaro was deployed at Acroma to guard the approach to Tobruk. On 9 September 1940 the Italian invasion of Egypt commenced and on 13 September the Catanzaro followed the bulk of the 10th Army's into British Egypt. After the capture of Sidi Barrani on 16 September, the 10th Army formed a defensive line composed of big outposts separated by wide desert areas and the Catanzaro moved to Sidi Barrani to guard the coastal railroad, the 10th Army's vital supply line.[1]

On the nights of 7 December and 8 December 1940 the British Western Desert Force under of Major-General Richard O'Connor and comprising the British 7th Armoured Division and Indian 4th Infantry Division, reinforced by the British 16th Infantry Brigade advanced 70 miles (110 km) to their starting positions for Operation Compass.[6] At the time the Catanzaro was defending the Buqbuq sector, between the 63rd Infantry Division "Cirene" at Ābār Abū Safāfī (Sofafi) to the South, and the 1st Libyan Division at Al Maktīlah (Maktila) and 2nd Libyan Division at ‘Alam aţ Ţummār (Tummar) to the North. The heavy bombardment and British armored attack at ’Alam Rimth on 9 December 1940 penetrated the Catanzaro's defenses. The annihilation of the Maletti Group at ‘Alam Nibeiwa on the same day aggravated the situation. Unable to resist or stop the attacks, the Catanzaro linked up with other Italian units at Buqbuq and covered the retreat of the 4th CC.NN. Division "3 Gennaio" and the Headquarters of the "Libyan Corps" from Sidi Barrani along the coastal railroad on 10 December 1940.[7] By 11 December Buqbuq had been cleared of all Italian troops, many of whom had been captured.[8] The remnants of the division were able to make a stand at Bir Tishdida, at the eastern outskirts of Sallum, and contained the British advance, at the cost of the majority of the remaining Italian tanks.[9] On 13–14 December 1940, the Catanzaro under relentless British pressure retreated to Sallum proper, and on 15 December 1940 fell back to the defensive perimeter of Bardia. What remained of the division was completely destroyed in the Battle of Bardia by 5 January 1941.

Organization

[edit]
  • 64th Infantry Division "Catanzaro"[1][2]
    • 141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"
    • 142nd Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro"
      • Command Company
      • 3x Fusilier battalions
      • Support Weapons Company (65/17 mod. 13 mountain guns)
      • Mortar Company (81mm mod. 35 mortars)
    • 203rd Artillery Regiment "Catanzaro"[10]
    • XX Tank Battalion "L" (L3/35 tankettes)
    • LXIII Tank Battalion "L" (L3/35 tankettes, transferred from 63rd Infantry Division "Cirene" on 9 December 1940)
    • LXIV Machine Gun Battalion (former CCIII Machine Gun Battalion)
    • LXIV Mixed Engineer Battalion (former CCIII Mixed Engineer Battalion)
      • 64th Telegraph and Radio Operators Company
      • 1x Engineer Company
      • 1x Searchlight Section
    • LXIV Replacements Battalion
    • 64th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns; former 203rd Anti-tank Company)
    • 203rd Medical Section
      • 2x Field hospitals
      • 1x Surgical unit
    • 203rd Supply Section
    • 203rd Transport Section
    • 1x Bakers section
    • 705th Carabinieri Section
    • 706th Carabinieri Section
    • 303rd Field Post Office

Commanding officers

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The division's commanding officers were:[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "64ª Divisione di fanteria "Catanzaro"". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Bollettino dell'Archivio dell'Ufficio Storico N.II-3 e 4 2002. Rome: Ministero della Difesa - Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito - Ufficio Storico. 2002. p. 317. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  3. ^ "141° Reggimento Fanteria "Catanzaro"". President of Italy. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  4. ^ "141° Reggimento di fanteria "Catanzaro"". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  5. ^ "142° Reggimento di fanteria "Catanzaro"". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  6. ^ Playfair, p 266
  7. ^ Macksey, p. 68
  8. ^ Playfair, p 270
  9. ^ "Italian Tank Bns in Libya and Egypt - Operation Compass - Comando Supremo". www.comandosupremo.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  10. ^ F. dell'Uomo, R. di Rosa (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Secondo - Tomo II. Rome: SME - Ufficio Storico. p. 185.

Bibliography

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