On the morning of 22 June 1941, when Mussolini was told of Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union, he instantly pledged his country’s military support to the venture. Joining a crusade against communism was just too good an opportunity to miss – and not only from an ideological viewpoint. Apart from the potential plunder to be had, there was also the possibility of redeeming Italy’s martial reputation. After its military blunders in North Africa, piggybacking Hitler’s giant invasion force – the largest ever assembled – with the aim of scoring a few quick victories must have seemed like a safe bet to Il Duce.
Within four days, he’d assembled a force known as the Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia (or CSIR). It was made up of 62,000 men, 82 aircraft, 220 artillery pieces, 92 antitank guns, 4,600 mules and horses, 5,500 vehicles, and 60 L3/33 tankettes. These were organised into three divisions – the 9th Pasubio and the 52nd Torino, which were both infantry divisions, and the 3rd Celere Cavalry Division.
On 10 July 1941, the CSIR left Italy for the Eastern Front. On its arrival in Ukraine, it was integrated into the German 11th Army, first seeing action on 10 August when it engaged retreating Red Army troops between the Bug and Dniester Rivers.
Esta historia es de la edición Issue 122 de History of War.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Issue 122 de History of War.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
THE OTHER OPERATION OVERLORD D-DAY'S GHOST ARMY
Historian Taylor Downing discusses the cunning use of intrigue and deception during Operation Fortitude
D-DAY LANDING CRAFT
Over 4,000 Allied landing craft took part in the Normandy Landings with a huge range of designs created for specific roles and capabilities
UNDERGROUND WREN
Deep in the bowels of Fort Southwick, radio operator Marie Scott was one of the first to hear reports as Operation Overlord got underway, passing critical communications between the men on the beaches and high command
SWORD BEACH
The easternmost sector of the 6 June Normandy Landings was a mostly British affair, and Saw some of the biggest territorial gains of the first day of the Allied invasion
WHAT IF...D-DAY HAD FAILED?
The consequences of an unsuccessful invasion would have been felt for decades to come
'HATRED IS NOT THE WAY'
Speaking to mark the publication of his new memoir, Ivor Perl describes how he survived both Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps during the Holocaust
JOHNSON BEHARRY
Two acts of valour from this young private saved the lives of his comrades in the narrow streets of Al Amarah, Iraq
CORPO TRUPPE VOLONTARIE
During the Spanish Civil War, tens of thousands of Italian soldiers fought in Spain to support the fascist Nationalist forces of Francisco Franco
PREPARING FOR KURSK
Dr Ben Wheatley of the University of East Anglia reveals the huge German and Soviet preparations for the largest tank battle in history
BATTLE OF JINGXING
Strategic brilliance and an audacious plan ensured victory for the underdog in this legendary clash in ancient China