185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore"
| 185. Airborne Division Folgore | |
|---|---|
| File:Elal div folgore.jpg Folgore Division Insignia | |
| Active | 1941–1943 |
| Country | Italy |
| Branch | Italian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Parachute |
| Size | Division |
| Nickname(s) | Folgore |
| Engagements | World War II |
185. Airborne Division Folgore or 185. Divisione Paracadutisti Folgore (Italian) was an Parachute Division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was formed in September 1941, as the 1 Division Paracadutisti. The division was intended to be used in Operation Hercules - the planned Italian invasion of Malta, but was instead sent to North Africa when the invasion was cancelled. It took part in the Battles of El Alamein where it was virtually destroyed.
El Alamein
During the Second battle of El Alamein the Folgore Division was under attack from three British divisions 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, 7th Armoured Division, and the 1st Free French Brigade. [1][2]
Operation Lightfoot launched on 24 October, 1942, was designed to break through the supposed "weak" Italian-held southern sector of the Alamein line where the Bologna, Brescia, Pavia and Folgore Divisions anchored the right flank. The British attack began with a devastating artillery barrage, followed by an all out assault by the 7th Armoured and 44th Infantry divisions. However, all that was achieved at a high cost of life and equipment was a small salient, which was soon recaptured. In the following days between 25 October and 4 November, the 50th, 7th, 44th divisions, 1st and 2nd Free French and the Royal Hellenic Brigades, supported by artillery and armour, had failed to break through in the southern sector. The Folgore used every thing at their disposal including letting the enemy advance into a "cul-de-sac" and then launching a counter attacking from all sides. They also used their 47mm Anti Tank guns from enfilade positions and Molotov cocktails to knock out the advancing tanks. In the initial British assault alone the Folgore had destroyed over 120 armoured vehicles, and inflicted over 600 casualties. The remnants of the Folgore were withdrawn from El Alamein without being defeated. On 6 November, after having exhausted all its ammunition, the remainder of the Division surrendered.
The survivors being reorganized into the 185 Folgore Parachute Battalion and fought in Tunisia, they surrendered to the British in 1943, but without having to show a white flag and without having to raise their hands while surrendering. [1][2][3]
On 11 November 1942, the battle by now concluded, London Radio transmitted the famous official announcement:
The remnants of the Folgore division put up a resistance beyond every limit of human possibility.[4]
Order of battle
- 186. Parachute Regiment
- 5. Parachute Battalion
- 6. Parachute Battalion
- 7. Parachutist Battalion
- 186. Anti-Tank Company
- 187. Parachute Regiment
- 2. Parachute Battalion
- 4. Parachute Battalion
- 9. Parachute Battalion
- 187. Anti-Tank Company
- 185. Artillery Regiment
- 8. Parachute Demolition Engineer Battalion
- 20. Mortar Company
- 185. Signal Company
- 185. Pioneer Company
- 185. Mixed Carabinieri Section
- 260. Field Post Office
- 20. Supply Section
- 185. Transportation Unit
- 185. Medical Section [5]
| THE PARATROOPERS OF DIVISION FOLGORE |
| Winston Churchill speech to the Chamber, Nov. 21 1942:"We really must bow in front of the rest of those who have been the lions of the Folgore Division"
|
See also
References
- ^ a b Wendal, Marcus. "Italian Army". Axis History. Archived from the original on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Bennighof, Mike (2008). "185 Airborne Division". Avalanche Press. Archived from the original on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Quarrie, p 58
- ^ « I resti della divisione Folgore hanno resistito oltre ogni limite delle possibilità umane. » (Radio Londra)
- ^ Quarrie, p 55
- Quarrie, Bruce; Anderson, Duncan (2005). German Airborne Divisions: Mediterranean Theatre 1942 - 1945. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841768286.
Further reading
- George F. Nafziger - Italian Order of Battle: An organizational history of the Italian Army in World War II (3 vol)