Infantry Division "Acqui" - September 1943
Infantry Division "Acqui" - September 1943
The tragedy of the "Acqui" Division on Cephalonia and Corfu is well known, but what part in the massacre (if any) did the Division's Blackshirts play? In the spring of 1941 the 18th Blackshirt Assault Legion was attached to the "Acqui", formed of the 19th and 27th Blackshirt Assault Battalions and the 367th Blackshirt MG Company. But were any of these still with the Division when it resisted the Germans in September 1943? If so, which and what role did they play?
- Lupo Solitario
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A further question is: how strong was the German force attacking the Acqui division? IIRC the debate is still hot on how strong and punishing the German air support was. I seem to remember that the attacking force wasn't really superior in therms of pure numbers, but rather that the common faults of the Italian Army (forces divided, lack of coordination/mobility etc.) made that the same attacking unit could sack and destroy little by little the Italian units by gaining local superiority. An Italian witness I read somewhere in the net recalled the Germans he saw while his journey to captivity as "exhausted".
Are there numbers about the relative strenghts? And in few words, if possible, how would you describe this "campaign"?
Thank you
Are there numbers about the relative strenghts? And in few words, if possible, how would you describe this "campaign"?
Thank you
- Lupo Solitario
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interesting question...the german garrison of Cefalonia was formed by the 966th Fortress Regiment (two battalions) and a StuG battery...about 2000 men at all of not so good quality. The invading force was formed by part of 1st Gebirgsjager Division, an elite formation, and of 104th Jager Division for a total of about 4-5 infantry battalions and some artillery in support.
Italians had substantially six infantry battalions, more artillery and no armor. There were more italians than germans but german troops were elite troops, better trained and well fitted. Italians were a garrison forgotten for two years.
The campaign lasted more or less a week: pratically the italians failed in destroying the 966th Regiment and this gave germans a sure beachhead where land reinforces. After that, using air supremacy and large use of Stukas, germans attacked, broke italian lines and started the slaughter...
Italians had substantially six infantry battalions, more artillery and no armor. There were more italians than germans but german troops were elite troops, better trained and well fitted. Italians were a garrison forgotten for two years.
The campaign lasted more or less a week: pratically the italians failed in destroying the 966th Regiment and this gave germans a sure beachhead where land reinforces. After that, using air supremacy and large use of Stukas, germans attacked, broke italian lines and started the slaughter...
- Lupo Solitario
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well, I found a better source which tells that the 19th Blackshirt Battalion was at Prevesa, on Greece mainland in armistice days (and , incidentally, passed "weapons and baggage" to germans as soon as possible. It became an italian SS unit in successive months).
It matched the point that there were no blackshirt units on Cefalonia in September 1943
BTW could you tell us the site you name?
It matched the point that there were no blackshirt units on Cefalonia in September 1943
BTW could you tell us the site you name?
- Lornito Uriarte Mahinay Jr.
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- Lupo Solitario
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- Joined: 21 Mar 2002, 19:39
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- Lornito Uriarte Mahinay Jr.
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