28th Infantry Division Aosta

This article is about the historic Italian 28th Infantry Division Aosta. For the currently active Italian Army brigade, see Aosta Mechanized Brigade.
28th Infantry Division Aosta
Active 1939–1943
1948–1961
Country Italy
Branch Italian Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Garrison/HQ Palermo
Nickname(s) Aosta
Engagements Battle of Troina
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Identification
symbol		 Aosta Division collar insignia

Early history

After the end of World War I the Aosta Infantry Brigade moved to Sicily and was garrisoned in the city of Palermo. In 1926 the brigade gained the 85th Infantry Regiment Verona and changed its name to XXVIII Infantry Brigade. Along with the 22nd Artillery Regiment the brigade formed the 28th territorial division "Palermo". It was reorganized in 1934, becoming the infantry division "Vespri". The Vespri division was renamed Aosta in 1939, replacing simultaneously 85th Infantry regiment for 171st CC.NN. assault legion.

Actions in Second World War

Map of Sicily showing divisional locations

The Aosta division was stationed on Sicily island from the moment of the formation. In June, 1940, it was tasked with the coast and airports defence on the west of Sicily. In 1939 the brigade was renamed 28th Infantry Division Aosta. The division remained based in Sicily and was tasked to defend the island against landings by Allied forces.

Allied invasion of Sicily

After Allied landings at Syracuse, Sicily the division positions were considered untenable and it retreated to the centre of the island to link with 26th Mountain Infantry Division Assietta. The division was badly mauled by US Army troops during the Battle of Troina 1–6 August 1943 in the North of the island. During one Italian counterattack, Lieutenant-Colonel Giuseppe Gianquinto's 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment of the 'Aosta' managed to take 40 American prisoners.[1] The remnants of the division were evacuated to Trento in mainland Italy between 9 and 12 August 1943. After the Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces of 8 September 1943 the division was disbanded by German Forces.

Post-war

On 20 September 1944 the Aosta was raised again as part of the Italian Co-Belligerent Army. The new unit was named Aosta Internal Security Division and consisted of the III and IV Internal Security Brigades. It has moved back to Sicily in November, 1944, and stayed there until the end of war.[2] On 15 August 1946 the Aosta Internal Security Division renamed and reformed as Aosta Infantry Brigade. With the expansion of the Italian Army after World War II the brigade was expanded to full division on 1 February 1948, but following a revision of strategy the Aosta division was reduced to brigade again on 21 February 1961.

Since then the name and traditions of the division are carried by the Aosta Mechanized Brigade in Palermo.

Order of battle

World War II

Post War

Notes

Footnotes
  1. ↑ An Italian Infantry Division normally consisted of two Infantry Regiments (three Battalions each), an Artillery Regiment, a Mortar Battalion (two companies), an Anti Tank Company, a Blackshirt Legion of two Battalions was sometimes attached. Each Division had only about 7,000 men, The Infantry and Artillery Regiments contained 1,650 men, the Blackshirt Legion 1,200, each company 150 men.[4]
Citations
  1. ↑ The Battle of Sicily: How the Allies Lost Their Chance for Total Victory, Samuel W. Mitcham, Jr., Friedrich Von Stauffenberg, p. 263, Stackpole Books, 10/06/2007
  2. ↑ http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv28.htm
  3. ↑ Wendal, Marcus. "Italian Army". Axis History. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  4. ↑ Paoletti, p 170
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