The 131st Panta division of "Chentauro" ( Italian. 131ª Divisione corazzata "Centauro" ) is a tank division of the Italian armed forces .
| 131st Panta division "Chentauro" ital 131ª Divisione corazzata "Centauro" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Years of existence | 1939 - 1943 , 1959 - 1986 |
| A country |  Kingdom of Italy (1939—1946) →  Italy (1959–1986) |
| Enters into | Italian Land Forces |
| Type of | tank division |
| Motto | ital Fulmineo fuoco di fulminea mole |
| Colors | Red and blue |
| Mascot | centaur |
| Participation in | The Second World War |
| Marks of Excellence | |
Content
History
The 131st Panzer Division "Chentauro" ( Italian. "Centauro" , " Centaur ") was formed on April 20, 1939 on the basis of the 1st Tank Brigade in Siena . The composition of the division at the time of formation:
- 31st Tank Regiment ( Italian. 31º Reggimento carri )
- 1st (7th), 2nd (8th), 3rd (10th) and 4th (31st) light tank battalions ( Italian: Battaglione carri L )
- 5th Bersalier Regiment ( Italian. 5º Reggimento bersaglieri )
- 22nd Motorcycle Battalion ( Italian. XXII Battaglione motociclisti )
- The 14th and 24th motorized battalions ( Italian. Battaglione autoportato )
- 131st armored artillery regiment ( Italian. 131º Reggimento artiglieria corazzata )
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups (tools 75/27)
- 131st sanitary platoon ( ital. 131ª Sezione sanita )
- 131st platoon of ammunition ( ital. 131º Autoreparto )
- 79th carabinieri platoon ( ital. 79ª Sezione carabinieri )
- 80th carabinieri platoon ( ital. 80ª Sezione carabinieri )
World War II found a division in Albania . From October 1940 it was redeployed to the Balkans , and then to Greece . After which she returned to Italy, where she was from June 1941 to August 1942.
In November 1942, the main units and divisions of the division were redeployed to Tunisia (division headquarters, 31st tank regiment, and 5th Bersalier regiment). In North Africa, the division fought in Libya and Tunisia, where it suffered heavy losses and defeats. On March 20, 1943, the division's position near the city of Gafsa (Tunisia) was attacked by the 2nd US Army Corps (Lieutenant General George Smith Patton ), as a result of which the division was almost completely destroyed. She managed to keep her position for 12 days, after which on March 31 she was replaced by the 21st tank division of the Wehrmacht . The division was officially disbanded in April 1943.
The remnants of the division capitulated at Cape Bon on May 14, 1943.
On November 1, 1959, the 131st Panzer Division was reconstructed in Milan and subordinated to the 3rd Army Corps ( Italian. 3º Corpo d'Armata ). Disbanded in 1986 in connection with the reorganization of the Italian armed forces. In 1959-1986 she took part in various rescue and police operations in Italy.
Commanders
- General Giovanni Mali ( Italian. Giovanni Magli ; summer 1940 - February 1941)
- General Pizolato ( Italian. Pizzolato ; February 1941 - March 1942)
- General Giorgio Carlo Calvi di Bergolo ( Italian: Carlo Calvi di Bergolo ; March 1942 - April 1943)
Awards and titles
| Reward | date | What is received |
|---|---|---|
| "Centauro" (" centaur ") | April 20, 1939 | when forming |
Distinguished Division Warriors
| Reward | FULL NAME. | Position | Rank | Award date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cracco, Giovanni ( Italian. Giovanni Cracco ) | loader tank M14 / 41 of the 8th tank company of the 15th tank battalion of the 31st tank regiment | corporal | 1943 (posthumously) | died April 11, 1943 |
Notes
Literature
- George F. Nafziger, Italian Order of Battle: The Organizational History of the Italian Army in World War II (Volume 3)
- John Joseph Timothy Sweet, Iron Hand: Mussolini Army Mechanization, 1920-1940.
Links
- 131st Panzer Division "Centaur" . Tank front. Circulation date October 18, 2011. Archived May 17, 2012.