59th Infantry Division "Cagliari"

The brigade fought on the Italian front in World War I. On 30 September 1926 the brigade command and 64th Infantry Regiment "Cagliari" were disbanded, while the 63rd Infantry Regiment "Cagliari" was assigned to the XXVI Infantry Brigade. On 5 April 1939 the 64th Infantry Regiment "Cagliari" was reactivated in Ivrea and the 59th Artillery Regiment "Cagliari" was raised in Casale Monferrato. On the same date the 59th Infantry Division "Cagliari" was activated in Vercelli and was assigned its two namesake infantry regiments and the 59th Artillery Regiment "Cagliari".[1][4][5]

In June 1940 the Cagliari was assigned to I Army Corps and participated in the Italian invasion of France. On 10 June 1940 the division was stationed on the French-Italian border on the Mont Cenis-Monte Niblè-Rocciamelone line. On 15 June the division crossed the border and captured Dents d'Ambin, Sommet de la Nunda, Pas de la Beccia and Col de Sollières around Mont Cenis lake by 17 June 1940. On 21 June 1940 the Cagliari reached the Arc river valley and started advancing to Bramans and Le Planey (on Ruisseau d'Étache stream), capturing both on 23 June 1940. Immediately an attack was initiated towards the Val d'Ambin with the aim to take Modane, but the Franco-Italian Armistice signed 24 June 1940 ended hostilities the next day. The division remained in the Arc valley until the end of September, when it returned home to Italy.[1]

On 21 January 1941 the division was ordered to move to Albania to reinforce the Italian front in the ongoing Greco-Italian War. On 31 January 1941 the Cagliari division arrived in Berat and was assigned to VIII Army Corps. First contact with Greek forces was made on 8 February 1941 near Berat, with clashes at Mali i Tërpanit and Paraspuar following soon. On 12 February 1941 the Italian front had stabilised from Qafa e Bubësit to positions in valleys of Osum and Tomorrica rivers. On 11 March 1941, as part of the Italian Spring Offensive, the Cagliari attacked towards Bubës, capturing it on 13 March 1941. The division's assaults of Monastery Hill a few kilometers south on 14–19 March 1941 were unsuccessful.[1]

As a result of Greek units disengaging after the start of the German invasion of Greece on 6 April 1941, the Cagliari advanced to the ridge overlooking the Këlcyrë Gorge on 15 April 1941, overcoming some Greek rearguard resistance. On 18 April 1941 the division continued the pursuit to Përmet and reached the pre-war border stream of Perati on 20 April 1941, where Greek rearguards once more tried to make a stand. After the Greek surrender the Cagliari was used as occupation force in Kalpaki. In June 1941, the division was transferred to the southern Peloponnese, where garrisons were established in Tripoli, Kalamata and Sparta. The division undertook anti-partisan duties and coastal defence duties until September 1943. After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the Cagliari was disbanded by the German 117. Jäger-Division.[1]