Pistoia Division at Halfaya Pass November 1942

[Peter W]

I am examining the New Zealand action at Halfaya Pass on 11 November 1942 where 21 (New Zealand) Infantry Battalion fought and defeated elements of the Pistoia Infantry Division defending the pass. I have examined New Zealand's official campaign and unit histories, but specific detail on Pistoia is hard to find. I am after assistance in determining which Pistoia battalion(s) defended at Halfaya, what their previous combat experience had been and how they had been employed in the weeks prior. Can anyone help with specific information or know of any sources that may assist me. Thanks PeterW

[David W]

Peter.

I think that this was Pistoia's first action in N.A.

I'll take a look around & see what I can come up with..........

[David W]

First diggings have uncovered a topic on the excellent Comando Supremo forum.

This for 9th November...

Halfaya Pistoia: Cdo, 35 fanteria (I,III Btg), 36 fanteria (II Btg), III/3 Art, II/336 Piceno

I'lll keep looking.........

[David W]

Also from C/S forum.

the 16th Infantry Division "Pistoia" was a permanent unit of italian army. Garrisoned in Bologna and Modena, was formed by 35th and 36th Infantry Regiment and 3rd Field Artillery Regiment. Its trasformation in motorized unit had been scheduled from 1937 but made only in 1942.
Apart a short employment on French front in 1940, it was not used in combat before 1942 and never used in Balkans.

[Peter W]

David W. Many thanks for this information. It seems, therefore, that Halfaya Ridge was their "baptism of fire." Peter

[Oasis]

I found Div. Pistoia as anti-landing troop in the Bardia area, then on 7 november 1942 at Halam Habid facing 2nd D. NewZealand (I have no mention of a contact), and finally on 9 november at Halfaya.

Toni

[Peter W]

Thanks Oasis. This is very helpful. What is your source? I found in one reference that Pistoia was commented on as 'inferior'; maybe this was due to their "garrison" type role in the Bardia area instead of being sent into combat before El Alamein? cheers,
Peter

[jwsleser]

Peter

Pistoia was considered an occupation division (divisione d'occupazione, see Le operazioni in Africa settentrionale vol. 2 page 264). This meant the unit was issued with older equipment, and less of it, and lacked transport. The division began to arrive in A.S. during late July-mid August and only had 2,064 men in theater. The division was in the Agedabia-Gialo zone on 29 August and only had three battalions of the 35°regg. f.: elements of the 36° regg. f.: and one gruppo of artillery (ibid vol. 3 page 568 and footnote 68).

On 11 November, Gen Falugi had the following forces to cover the frontier: I btg. f./35° regg.; III btg. armi acc. e c.c./35°regg; II btg. f. (incomplete) 36° regg.; and the III/3° gr. argt. This force of the Pistoia was reinforced by the II/336° regg. f. (from d.f. Piceno); II/350° btg. di marcia, two unattached cp. di marcia; one gr. da 100/17; and the II/24° ragg. argt. In all, about 2,000 men. The 2°/III grp. Monferrato, a cp. carri under organization, and a battery of semoventi was part of his force, but had be detached to join the XX corpo d’armata on 10 November. ( Le operazioni in Africa settentrionale vol. 4 page 36 and footnote 40).

At 0500 on 11 November, the ACIT learned of the British envelopment and the attack planned for that night. Gen Falugi was ordered to withdrawn his forces beginning at 0600 to Bardia. The move was carried out, but the units lacked transport, so movement was slow. They didn’t have good security, so the units were surprised by the NZ attack that evening. A good part of the 35° regg. f. and three German batteries were lost (Ibid page 36).

Pista!

Jeff

[David W]

Jeff.

Are you sure that III/35 was actually upgraded to armi acc at that time?
And not just due to have been?

Cheers, Dave.

[Oasis]

Thanks Oasis. This is very helpful. What is your source? I found in one reference that Pistoia was commented on as 'inferior'; maybe this was due to their "garrison" type role in the Bardia area instead of being sent into combat before El Alamein? cheers,
Peter

One source is "Terza offensiva britannica in A.S.", Roma 1961, pp. 89-94 and Schizzi 23-24.

[jwsleser]

Peter

Footnote 40 cited above specifically lists the III/35° as a btg. armi acc. e c.c. When I was researching this question, there is a passage that states that these reinforcements would be converted to tipo A.S. 42 before deploying into theater. I will try to find the cite for this tonight.

Pista!

Jeff

[Peter W]

David, Toni, Jeff

Much appreciated. Is it possible to identify which battalion(s) were present at Halfaya on 10/11 November?

The defenders at Halfaya Pass sustained 70 killed and had 612 taken prisoner, so the infantry defenders numbered 672 or thereabouts. In addition, the New Zealanders captured 30 vehicles, 20 anti-tank guns, various field guns. Do the numbers suggest the defence consisted of a single Pistoia infantry battalion, or two, or even the entire 35th Regiment?

A few of the prisoners and presumably all of the guns captured were German- but no German infantry was captured. 90th Light Division were further west and did not participate i.e. German infantry was not part of the defence. The tally of dead and wounded therefore gives a good approximation of the numbers of Italian defenders.

Thanks again for your assistance.
regards,
Peter

[jwsleser]

Peter

From Terza offensiva britannica in Africa settentrionale page 231. A few more details to add to what I provided from Le operazioni in Africa settentrionale vol. 4.

This source comfirms that the rear guard was surprised, and adds that they were attacked when the units were loading the trucks provided for the retreat. Losses listed in footnote 1 on the same page show: 1/35°btg. f. - 238 losses (killed, wounded and missing). III/35°btg. armi acc. e c.c. and 25°cp. di marica - 233. Total losses for the division was 512 and three German batteries.

Combining the information from the two sources, it appears that the bulk of the divisione defending the passes had withdrawn before nightfall on the 11th of November (the complete list I provided above). The rear guard (made up of the units listed in this post) was in the process of retreating when attacked. Poor security allowed the British to overrun the rearguard. However, I don't see how this could have been avoided. You had a non-motorized force trying to withdraw while it was in contact, and the force lacked any ability to fight mounted. It was good timing on the part of the British to attack at the moment the rearguard was most vulernable.

At the time of the attack, I believe only the units listed in this post were present. Also, the III/35° is also clearly listed as a btg. armi acc. e c.c. in this source.

Pista!

Jeff

[David W]

Thanks Jeff.

As an aside, do we think that III/36 was also Btg a.a. ?

[jwsleser]

David

Terza offensiva allegato 36 (pages 466-468) has a list/orgnaizations of the Italian divisions in Tripolitania on 1 December 1942. It lists Pistoia on page 466 and states it is a divisione tipo A.S. 42. Again, I am pretty confident that the Pistoia arrived in Africa already orgnaized as a tipo A.S. 42 and no converison was done in theater. But I have yet to find that passage to nail this down.

Pista!

Jeff