CSIR Divisional Commanders, 1941-42

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USAF1986
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CSIR Divisional Commanders, 1941-42

#1

Post by USAF1986 » 17 Apr 2004, 03:13

Hello! Can anyone confirm if these were (or were not) the divisional commanders of the CSIR on the Eastern Front, 1941-42? Any inputs are most welcome!

9th Pasubio Semi-Motorized Infantry Division: Generale di Divisione Vittorio Giovannelli

52nd Torino Semi-Motorized Infantry Division: Generale di Divisione Ugo de Carolis

3rd Celere Division “Principe Amedeo Duca D’Aosta”: Generale di Brigata Mario Marazzani

Best regards,
Shawn

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Lupo Solitario
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#2

Post by Lupo Solitario » 17 Apr 2004, 10:07

agree for Pasubio and Celere.
For Torino I got gen. D. Luigi Manzi


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#3

Post by USAF1986 » 17 Apr 2004, 17:03

Lupo,

I, too, originally had Manzi in my files, but I recently noticed Fellgiebel (Die Träger Des Ritterkreuzes Des Eisernen Kreuzes, 1939-1945) lists de Carolis as posthumously receiving the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on 9 February 1942 as commander of the Torino. Fellgiebel has a note that de Carolis died (killed in action?) in southern Russia on 12 December 1941. Based on these dates, it got me thinking that de Carolis was perhaps the first commander of the Torino in Russia. I wonder if he replaced Manzi shortly after the division arrived in Russia. Any further information on Torino's commanders would be most appreciated!

Best regards,
Shawn

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#4

Post by Lupo Solitario » 17 Apr 2004, 17:16

Ugo De Carolis was Torino's Divisional Infantry Commander (I think this rank existed only in Italian Army...it's a sort of division's vice-commander, a correct explanation is a bit complicated) and effectively died fighting in December 1941

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#5

Post by USAF1986 » 17 Apr 2004, 17:22

Lupo,

The infantry commander...that explains it! Thanks again!

Best regards,
Shawn

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#6

Post by USAF1986 » 17 Apr 2004, 17:53

Lupo,

Thanks again for the explanation of de Carolis' function in the Torino. I found this citation for his Medaglia d’Oro al Valore Militare at this site:

http://www.geocities.com/cavalleggeri_g ... icenze.htm

Best regards,
Shawn

P.S. I take he actually held the rank of Generale di Brigata not Generale di Divisione?

Generale Ugo DE CAROLIS:
“Nobile figura di soldato e di comandante durante cinque mesi di guerra era di costante e luminoso esempio per ardimento e sprezzo del pericolo. Comandante della fanteria di una divisione, durante un’accanita battaglia durata sette giorni, visse tutte le ore tra i suoi soldati. Alla settima giornata della strenua lotta, mentre come sempre, in prima linea coi fanti li animava con l’esempio e con l’azione, una raffica di mitragliatrice ne troncava la vita. Suggellava col supremo sacrificio sul campo la sua nobile esistenza tutta dedicata al dovere ed all’ideale della Patria.

Fronte russo, luglio-dicembre 1941”.

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#7

Post by Lupo Solitario » 17 Apr 2004, 18:16

Right, in july 1941 he was still colonel...usually one doesn't skip two ranks in five months, no? :wink:

interesting website...De Carolis is reminded there having been 19th cavalry former commander

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#8

Post by Steen Ammentorp » 18 Apr 2004, 16:01

Didn't general Roberto Lerici succeed general Luigi Manzi as commander of 52nd Torino Division in 1942? At least that is was my sources says, although I don't have any date.

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Steen Ammentorp
The Generals of World War II

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#9

Post by Lupo Solitario » 18 Apr 2004, 20:36

Correct, I suppose we have same sources (for me, the official italian army history of russian campaign...)

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