223rd Coastal Division | |
---|---|
Active | 1942 – 1943 |
Country | Kingdom of Italy |
Branch | Royal Italian Army |
Size | Division |
Garrison/HQ | La Colle-sur-Loup |
Engagements | World War II |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol |
223rd Coastal Division gorget patches |
The 223rd Coastal Division ( Italian: 223ª Divisione Costiera) was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. [1] Royal Italian Army coastal divisions were second line divisions formed with reservists and equipped with second rate materiel. They were often commanded by officers called out of retirement. [2]
In November 1942 Axis forces invaded Southern France and divided it into a German and an Italian occupation zone. For the coastal defense of its zone Italy raised on 1 January 1943 the 223rd Coastal Division in Bologna and the 224th Coastal Division in Florence. Both divisions were formed with replacements and reserve units of the army's regular Alpini regiments. [2]
The 223rd Coastal Division was based in La Colle-sur-Loup and assigned to I Army Corps. After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the division was disbanded by invading German forces. [3] [1]
The division's commanding officer was: [1]