1st Cavalry Division "Eugenio di Savoia"

The 1st Cavalry Division "Eugenio di Savoia" (Italian: 1ª Divisione celere "Eugenio di Savoia") was a cavalry or "Celere" (Fast) division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. The division was mobilized in 1940 and took part in the Invasion of Yugoslavia. The division was assigned to the XI Corps in Ljubljana and remained in Yugoslavia as occupation force on the Dalmatian coast. After the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the division was disbanded by the Germans.[1]

1st Cavalry Division "Eugenio di Savoia"
1st Cavalry Division "Eugenio di Savoia" insignia
Active1930–1943
Country Kingdom of Italy
Branch Royal Italian Army
TypeCavalry
SizeDivision
Part ofXI Corps
Garrison/HQUdine
EngagementsWorld War II
Yugoslavia
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Federico Ferrari Orsi
Insignia
Identification
symbol
Eugenio di Savoia gorget patches

History

The division was formed on 17 April 1930 as 1st Fast Division in the city of Udine in Friuli. Although not officially sanctioned the division is considered to be the heir of the 1st Cavalry Division of Friuli, which fought in World War I and consisted of the I and II cavalry brigades and was based in Udine. On 15 June 1930 the I Cavalry Brigade, with the regiments Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Saluzzo" (12th), Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Monferrato" (13th), and Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Alessandria" (14th) entered the division. The following year the 1st Light Artillery Regiment was raised and assigned to the division.[2]

In January 1933 the Regiment "Piemonte Reale Cavalleria" (2nd) replaced the Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Monferrato" (13th). On 1 January 1934 the division and brigade received the name "Eugenio di Savoia". On the same date the brigade was reorganized with the Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Alessandria" (14th) being replaced by the 11th Bersaglieri Regiment, and the I Light Tank Group "San Giusto" joining the brigade.[2]

On 1 February 1938 the I Cavalry Brigade "Eugenio di Savoia" was dissolved and its three regiments came under direct command of the division. In October of the same year the Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Alessandria" (14th) returned to the division, which in turn lost the Regiment "Piemonte Reale Cavalleria" (2nd).[2]

World War II

On 30 March 1941 the division ceded its 1st Fast Artillery Regiment with the II and III motorized groups to the 27th Infantry Division "Brescia", which was fighting in the Western Desert Campaign. On 3 April the Regiment "Nizza Cavalleria" (1st) was attached to the division for the upcoming Invasion of Yugoslavia. Afterwards the division remained in Yugoslavia as occupation force. On 23 June the division lost its last artillery group, which was transferred to the 3rd Cavalry Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta" to form an artillery regiment for the latter division's upcoming deployment to the Eastern front.[2]

On 17 October 1941 the Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Alessandria" (14th) conducted the last cavalry charge by an Italian military unit: encircled by a group of Yugoslav Partisans near Poloj in Croatia the regiment launched repeated nighttime saber charges against the partisans and despite suffering heavy casualties, the charge succeeded and the regiment broke through the encirclement.[3]

After the Armistice of Cassibile was announced on 8 September 1943 the division tried to rally in Rijeka, but by 13 September 1943 it was dissolved by invading German forces and ceased to exist.[2]

Organization

The division had undergone a level of mechanization and fielded two cavalry regiments, a Bersaglieri regiment, a motorized artillery regiment, and a light tank group. The squadrons of the cavalry regiments were horse-mounted and, other than a motorcycle company, the Bersaglieri were issued with bicycles. The light tank group had a total of 61 L3/35s and L6/40 tanks.[4]

Attached during the Invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941:[1]

Military honors

For its conduct while serving with the 27th Infantry Division "Brescia" during the Western Desert campaign the President of Italy awarded on 7 December 1951 to the division's 1st Cavalry Artillery Regiment Italy's highest military honor, the Gold Medal of Military Valour.

  • 1st Cavalry Artillery Regiment on 7 December 1951[9]

Commanding officers

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

References
  1. Bollettino dell'Archivio dell'Ufficio Storico N.II-3 e 4 2002. Rome: Ministero della Difesa - Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito - Ufficio Storico. 2002. p. 195. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  2. "1ª Divisione Celere "Eugenio di Savoia"". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  3. "Flames of War". Flames of War. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2009.
  4. Mollo, p.87
  5. "Reggimento "Cavalleggeri di Saluzzo" 12°". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  6. "Reggimento "Cavalleggeri di Alessandria" 14°". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  7. "11° Reggimento Bersaglieri". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  8. "Reggimento "Nizza Cavalleria" 1°". Regio Esercito. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  9. "1° Reggimento Artiglieria Celere". President of Italy. Retrieved 12 October 2021.

Further reading


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