ITALIAN 183rd PARACHUTE DIVISION.
ITALIAN 183rd PARACHUTE DIVISION.
Hello!
Does anyone have any information on the 183rd Italian Parachute Division “Ciclone”
Thanks for your help -
Does anyone have any information on the 183rd Italian Parachute Division “Ciclone”
Thanks for your help -
Information compiled with the assistance of various friends on the Net:
The 183rd Italian Parachute Division “Ciclone” (as a whole) was never formed.
It was in the formation stages in the summer of 1943 and originally it was intended to form the 17th-18th-19th and 20th Parachute Battalions, but, as of 08 Sept.1943, the only battalion partially combat ready was the 20th Para.Bn.. This was sent to the Futa and Cisa passes along the Appenines dividing Bologna from Florence with the purpose of facing the Germans at the armistice. The idea was not to change sides, but only to guard the southern Pisa-Rimini direction while the Germans were flowing, without accidents, to Northern Italy and, then, to the Alps. It was all wishful thinking. When the Germans reacted (almost at once) the parachutists fought a few half-hearted “skirmishes” for three days, then half of them joined the Germans and, later, the Air Force Folgore Regt. of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana.
Enrico and Lupo: please forgive me for quick re-write – in a hurry!
thanks -
The 183rd Italian Parachute Division “Ciclone” (as a whole) was never formed.
It was in the formation stages in the summer of 1943 and originally it was intended to form the 17th-18th-19th and 20th Parachute Battalions, but, as of 08 Sept.1943, the only battalion partially combat ready was the 20th Para.Bn.. This was sent to the Futa and Cisa passes along the Appenines dividing Bologna from Florence with the purpose of facing the Germans at the armistice. The idea was not to change sides, but only to guard the southern Pisa-Rimini direction while the Germans were flowing, without accidents, to Northern Italy and, then, to the Alps. It was all wishful thinking. When the Germans reacted (almost at once) the parachutists fought a few half-hearted “skirmishes” for three days, then half of them joined the Germans and, later, the Air Force Folgore Regt. of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana.
Enrico and Lupo: please forgive me for quick re-write – in a hurry!
thanks -
TYPO ERROR!
CORRECTION!
Sorry about that!
Should read " 18th - 19th and 20th Para.Bns." being the first formed, with only the 19th Battalion combat ready. This is the one that made contact with the Germans.
best -
Sorry about that!
Should read " 18th - 19th and 20th Para.Bns." being the first formed, with only the 19th Battalion combat ready. This is the one that made contact with the Germans.
best -
- Lupo Solitario
- Member
- Posts: 1143
- Joined: 21 Mar 2002, 19:39
- Location: Italy, country of sun, wine and morons
According to this excellent site about the Nembo http://www.nembo.info the XVII battalion didn't belong to it at least in June 1943. See:
Certainly it's a typo, but, reading the story of the Nembo division in Sardinia (La Divisione "Nembo" in Sardegna (giugno 1943 - maggio 1944)) I've seen that it should be read XVI, not XVII.Snoopy wrote:On the list shown by DrG above, why is there two X (10th) Battalions shown under the 183rd Regt.F.? Could this possibly be a typo? Should this possibly read "XVII" (17th) Battalion?
Lupo wrote:
Andy H
I would tend to agree with that synopsis, but the paucity of any published material in English makes it hard to counter-check Madeja's work. Any useful published pointers are appreciated.Anyway Madeja's work is one of the biggest collection of mistakes I've ever seen (at least, I've never seen the book cause is not findable in italy but a good 50% of citation I've seen was wrong...)
Andy H