View source for 36th Infantry Division "Forlì"

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=36th Infantry Division "Forlì"
| image=36a Divisione Fanteria Forlì.png
| image_size = 160
|caption=36th Infantry Division "Forlì" insignia
|dates= 1939–1943
| country                 = {{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
| branch                  = {{army|Kingdom of Italy}}
|type=[[Infantry]]
|role=
|garrison= [[Saluzzo]]
|size= [[Division (military)|Division]]
|command_structure=
|equipment=
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|Past Commanders=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|notable_commanders=[[Giulio Perugi]]
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|identification_symbol=[[File:Mostrina - 43°, 44°, 343° "Forlì".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - 36° Rgt. Artiglieria "Forlì".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Genio Divisione "Forlì".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Sanità Divisione "Forlì".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Sussistenza Divisione "Forlì".png|30px]] [[File:World War II - Mostrina - Battaglioni mortaisti.png|30px]] <br/>Forlì Division [[Italian Army gorget patches#Royal Italian Army|gorget patches]]
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|nickname=
|patron=
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|colors=
|march=
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|battles= [[World War II]]
|anniversaries=
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}}
The '''36th Infantry Division "Forlì"''' ({{langx|it|36ª Divisione di fanteria "Forlì"}}) was a [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[Royal Italian Army]] during [[World War II]]. The Forlì was classified as a mountain infantry division, which meant that the division's artillery was moved by pack mules instead of the horse-drawn carriages of line infantry divisions. Italy's real [[mountain warfare]] divisions were the six alpine divisions manned by [[Alpini]] mountain troops. The division was formed on 31 March 1939 and named for the city of [[Forlì]]. The division was based in [[Saluzzo]] and most of its troops were drafted in the surrounding [[Langhe]] region in southern [[Piedmont]]. The division's two infantry regiments were based in [[Alba, Piedmont|Alba]] (43rd) and [[Saluzzo]] (44th), with the division's artillery regiment also based in Saluzzo.<ref name="Regio Esercito">{{cite web |title=36ª Divisione di fanteria "Forlì" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv36.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=274 |url=https://issuu.com/rivista.militare1/docs/bollettino-ii-n.3-4-2002-testo |access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>
== History ==
The division's lineage begins with the XIII Brigade established on 24 June 1859 with the 23rd and 24th infantry regiments of the Army of the [[United Provinces of Central Italy]]. On 16 September 1859 the brigade received the name "Forlì". On 25 March 1860 the Brigade "Forlì" entered the [[Royal Sardinian Army]] three days after the [[Kingdom of Sardinia]] had annexed the United Provinces of Central Italy. Already before entering the Royal Sardinian Army the brigade's two infantry regiments had been renumbered on 30 December 1859 as 43rd Infantry Regiment and 44th Infantry Regiment.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Voghera |first1=Enrico |title=Annuario militare del regno d'Italia - Volume I |date=1909 |location=Rome |page=414}}</ref>
=== World War I ===
The brigade fought on the [[Italian front (World War I)|Italian front]] in [[World War I]]. On 10 October 1926 the brigade assumed the name of III Infantry Brigade and received the [[37th Infantry Regiment "Ravenna"]] from the disbanded [[3rd Infantry Division "Ravenna"|Brigade "Ravenna"]]. The brigade was the infantry component of the 3rd Territorial Division of Alessandria, which also included the [[11th Artillery Regiment "Ravenna"|11th Field Artillery Regiment]].<ref name="Regio Esercito"/><ref name='43° "Forlì"'>{{cite web |title=43° Reggimento di fanteria "Forlì" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt43.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=22 December 2021}}</ref><ref name='44° "Forlì"'>{{cite web |title=44° Reggimento di fanteria "Forlì" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt44.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=22 December 2021}}</ref>
In 1930 the division exchanged the 44th Infantry Regiment "Forlì" for the 38th Infantry Regiment "Ravenna" with the [[4th Infantry Division "Livorno"|4th Territorial Division of Cuneo]]. In 1935 the division changed its name to 3rd Infantry Division "[[Monferrato]]". On 1 April 1934 the division exchanged the 38th Infantry Regiment "Ravenna" for [[30th Infantry Regiment "Pisa"]] with the [[26th Infantry Division "Assietta"]].<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>
On 31 March 1939 the 36th Infantry Division "Forlì" was activated in [[Saluzzo]] and on the same day the 3rd Infantry Division "[[Monferrato]]" was renamed as [[3rd Infantry Division "Ravenna"]], becoming thus the heir to the Brigade "Ravenna", while the traditions of the Brigade "Forlì" were passed to the newly activated 36th division. On the same day the Forlì received the 43rd Infantry Regiment "Forlì" from the Ravenna division and the 44th Infantry Regiment "Forlì" from the [[4th Infantry Division "Livorno"|4th Territorial Division of Cuneo]]. On 3 September 1939 the 36th Artillery Regiment was reformed in [[Saluzzo]] by the depot of the [[11th Artillery Regiment "Ravenna"]] and assigned to the division.<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>
=== World War II ===
On 10 June 1940 the Forlì was the part of the Italian [[1st Army (Italy)|1st Army]] and took part in the [[Italian invasion of France]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Mulholland, John|publisher= Axis History|title= Axis Order of Battle 10 June 1940 – The Italian Invasion of France|access-date =2009-04-12|url = http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=6466}}</ref> The division was initially deployed on the French border in defensive positions in the [[Argentera]] valley and between the Rocca Peroni and [[Monte Maniglia]] mountains. On 22 June 1940 the Forlì attacked towards [[Meyronnes]] and the road junction of [[La Condamine-Châtelard]], after bypassing French defenders north of mount Tête de Viraysse, it took the forts of Bec du Lièvre and Tête Dure on 23 June. As result, the Forlì advanced rapidly that day and captured Malboisset, before stopping before the village of Larche at the news of the [[Franco-Italian Armistice]].
In early 1941 the Forlì moved to Albania to augment the Italian forces fighting in the [[Greco-Italian War]]. On 12 February 1941 it entered the frontline west of [[Lake Ohrid]], in the [[Librazhd]]-Kalivaç-[[Dunicë]] area and partly along the [[Shkumbin]] river. On 20 February the Greek army attacked the Forlì positions, focusing on mount Kosicës and the Kalivaç valley in [[Korçë]] municipality. On April 10, 1941 the Forlì went on the offensive as part of German-led [[Battle of Greece]]. The division attacked from [[Vloçisht]] to Gurisht. By 14 April 1941 it moved towards Leminot. When the Greek Army began to retreat due to the Germans' rapid advance in the east, and Forlì was able to reach [[Ersekë]] on 17 April 1941, where it stop at the [[Aoös]] river. After the Greek surrender the division was ordered to [[Larissa]] for occupation duties.
While the Forlì was on occupation duty in Greece the division's [[regimental depot]]s in Italy raised the [[154th Infantry Division "Murge"]]: the depot of the 43rd Infantry Regiment "Forlì" raised the 259th Infantry Regiment "Murge", the depot of the 44th Infantry Regiment "Forlì" raised the 260th Infantry Regiment "Murge", and the depot of the 36th Artillery Regiment "Forlì" raised the 154th Artillery Regiment "Murge".<ref>{{cite web |title=154ª Divisione di fanteria "Murge" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv154.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=22 December 2021}}</ref>
In August 1942 the Forlì was assigned occupation and coastal defence duties at [[Larissa]], [[Volos]] and [[Lamia (city)|Lamia]]. In 1943, the Forlì has relocated further south, covering the Lamia – [[Amfikleia]] – [[Livadeia]] – [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]] and [[Attica]] area. Also, the Forlì was responsible for the control of the [[Euripus Strait]], the island of [[Euboea]] and the area surrounding [[Athens]].<ref name="Regio Esercito"/>
On 5–6 March 1943, troops of the Forlì set the town of [[Servia, Greece|Servia]] on fire in retaliation for the defeat and capture of an Italian battalion at the [[Battle of Fardykambos]] by the [[Greek Resistance]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Flountzis | first = Antonis | title = Στρατόπεδα Λάρισας-Τρικάλων: Η γέννηση του αντάρτικου στη Θεσσαλία | trans-title = Larisa-Trikala Camps: The Birth of the Partisan Movement in Thessaly | publisher = Papazisis | location = Athens | year = 1977 | language = el | oclc = 8624538 | pages=210–211}}</ref>
The Forlì surrendered to the German forces in Greece after the [[Armistice of Cassibile]] and was dissolved 16 September 1943.
== 343rd Infantry Regiment "Forlì" ==
On 1 November 1941 the [[regimental depot]] of the [[16th Infantry Regiment "Savona"]] of the [[55th Infantry Division "Savona"]] raised the 343rd Infantry Regiment "Forlì" in [[Cosenza]]. The regiment was meant to increase the Forlì's combat strength, but after spending 1942 as a coastal defense unit in [[Calabria]] the 343rd regiment was sent on 29 January 1943 to [[Albania]], where it joined the [[53rd Infantry Division "Arezzo"]].<ref name="343Forlì">{{cite web |title=343° Reggimento di fanteria "Forlì" |url=http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt343.htm |publisher=Regio Esercito |access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref>
== Organization ==
[[File:CoA mil ITA rgt fanteria 043.png|thumb|right|180px|Coat of Arms of the 43rd Infantry Regiment "Forlì", 1939]]
* [[File:36a Divisione Fanteria Forlì.png|25px]] '''36th Infantry Division "Forlì"''', in [[Saluzzo]]<ref name="Regio Esercito"/><ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
** 43rd Infantry Regiment "Forlì", in [[Alba, Piedmont|Alba]]<ref name='43° "Forlì"'/>
*** Command Company
*** 3x Fusilier battalions
*** Support Weapons Company ([[Cannone da 65/17 modello 13|65/17]] [[infantry support gun]]s)
*** Mortar Company ([[81/14 Model 35 Mortar|81mm mod. 35]] [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]])
** 44th Infantry Regiment "Forlì", in Saluzzo<ref name='44° "Forlì"'/>
*** Command Company
*** 3x Fusilier battalions
*** Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
*** Mortar Company (81mm mod. 35 mortars)
** 343rd Infantry Regiment "Forlì" (raised 1 November 1941 in [[Cosenza]], transferred to the [[53rd Infantry Division "Arezzo"]] on 29 January 1943)<ref name="343Forlì"/>
*** Command Company
*** 3x Fusiliers battalions
*** Support Weapons Company ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] [[anti-tank gun]]s)
*** Mortar Company (81mm mod. 35 mortars)
** 36th Artillery Regiment "Forlì", in Saluzzo<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=125}}</ref>
*** Command Unit
*** I Group ([[Cannone da 75/27 modello 11|75/27 mod. 11]] field guns; transferred from the [[17th Artillery Regiment "Sforzesca"]]; transferred on 2 February 1941 to the 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta")
*** I Group ([[10 cm M. 14 Feldhaubitze|100/17 mod. 14]] howitzers; transferred on 2 February 1941 from the 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta")
*** II Group (75/27 mod. 11 field guns; transferred from the [[28th Artillery Regiment "Livorno"]])
*** III Group ([[Skoda 75 mm Model 15|75/13 mod. 15]] mountain guns; formed by the depot of the [[11th Artillery Regiment "Ravenna"]])
*** 1x Anti-aircraft battery ([[Breda Model 35|20/65 mod. 35]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s)
*** Ammunition and Supply Unit
** XXXVI Mortar Battalion (81mm mod. 35 mortars)
** 36th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
** 36th Telegraph and Radio Operators Company
** 66th Engineer Company
** 23rd Medical Section
*** 3x Field hospitals
*** 1x Surgical unit
** 24th Supply Section
** 36th Transport Section (replaced at the end of 1940 by the 347th Transport Section)
** 19th Bakers Section
** 9th [[Carabinieri]] Section
** 12th Carabinieri Section
** 38th Field Post Office
Attached to the division from June 1940 to 31 November 1941:<ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
* LXXX [[CC.NN.]] Battalion
Attached to the division from 1 December 1941 until 1942:<ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
* 112th CC.NN. Legion "Dell’Urbe"
** CXII CC.NN. (remained attached to the division until September 1943)
** CXX CC.NN. Battalion
** 112th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
Attached to the division during its stay in Attica:<ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
* [[3rd Regiment "Granatieri di Sardegna"|3rd Regiment "Granatieri di Sardegna e d'Albania"]]
** Command Company
** 3x Grenadier battalions
** Support Weapons Company ([[Cannone da 65/17 modello 13|65/17]] [[infantry support gun]]s)
** Mortar Company ([[81/14 Model 35 Mortar|81mm mod. 35]] [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s)
* XVII Bersaglieri Battalion/ [[2nd Bersaglieri Regiment]]
* XXVI Machine Gun Battalion
* CDLXXIX Coastal Infantry Battalion
* CDLXXX Coastal Infantry Battalion
* II Group ([[Cannone da 105/28|105/28]] cannons; formed by the [[1st Army Corps Artillery Regiment]])
* XIV Group ([[Cannone da 105/28|105/28]] cannons; formed by the [[8th Army Corps Artillery Regiment]])
* XXXIII Group ([[Cannone da 105/28|105/28]] cannons; formed by the [[9th Army Corps Artillery Regiment]])
Attached temporarily to the division in 1943:<ref name="Ufficio Storico"/>
* [[Regiment "Lancieri di Milano"]]
** Command Squadron
** Lancers Squadrons Group
*** 2x Lancer Squadrons
** Machine Gun Platoon
** Tank Platoon ([[L3/33]] [[tankette]]s)
* [[3rd Army Corps Artillery Grouping]]
** CVII Group ([[15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze M 14|149/13]] heavy howitzers)
** CVIII Group (149/13]] heavy howitzers)
* CCXXXIV Mobile Territorial Battalion (Reserve unit)
* XLI Group ([[Cannone da 105/28|105/28]] cannons; formed by the [[1st Army Corps Artillery Regiment]])
* XCI Army Artillery Group
== Commanding officers ==
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 Divisione]] [[Gabriele Nasci]] (5 April 1939 – 22 September 1939)
* Generale di Divisione [[Giulio Perugi]] (22 September 1939 - 31 September 1940)
* Generale di Divisione [[Giunio Ruggiero]] (1 October 1940 - 14 November 1942)
* [[Military ranks of the Kingdom of Italy#Ranks during the Second World War|Generale di Brigata]] [[Antonio Franceschini]] (15 November 1942 - 3 March 1943)
* Generale di Brigata [[Francesco Antonio Arena]] (4 March 1943 - 16 September 1943)
== CROWCASS ==
The names of four men attached to the division can be found in the [[Central Registry of War Criminals and Security Suspects]] (CROWCASS) set up by the Anglo-American [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force]] in 1945. The names can be found at: [[Central Registry of War Criminals and Security Suspects from the Kingdom of Italy#36th Infantry Division "Forlì"|Central Registry of War Criminals and Security Suspects from the Kingdom of Italy]].
== References ==
{{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}}
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{{Italian Divisions World War II}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:36th Mountain Infantry Division Forli}}
[[Category:Infantry divisions of Italy in World War II]]
[[Category:Italian military units and formations of the Greco-Italian War]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1943]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of Italy in Greece in World War II]]
[[Category:Central Greece in World War II]]
[[Category:Thessaly in World War II]]