Posted 13 April 2005 - 05:22 PM by Abel Ravasz
Hi all,
I would like to request help on tracking down two events that had caused me a headache for some time now.
1.) After the Little Saturn and Ostrogozhsk-Rossosh offensives, the Italian II. Corps (Cosseria, Ravenna) were thrust back into the frontline at Woroshilovgrad. Is there any info on the composition, battles, commanders and fate of this grouping?
2.) During late February, the 6. Bersaglieri Regiment, reinforced by other troops (f.e. Sforzesca's elements) under Mario Carloni was inserted into the frontline at Pavlograd. Is there any info on the composition and battles of this grouping?
3.) Were there any other cases of Italian units doing frontline fighting after the destruction of the ARMIR (including the Alpinis)? If yes, when and who were involved in it?
Any scraps of data would be more than welcome.
Thanks in advance,
And best wishes,
Abel
Posted 16 April 2005 - 06:14 PM by Michele
The data you requested are really huge!!
I would try to reply to your point number one: the defense of Voroscilovgrad and the river Donez.
The II Corps had no more operative tasks since 19 December, it had to reorganize its units in a different zone from Mitrofanovka, too close to the front.
On 17 December part of the forces of Ravenna (Capizzi group, made maily by troops of 37 infantry rgt) were separated from the corps, because it [Capizzi group] had moved towards south-east and joined 298 german inf div at Certkovo.
On 19 december most of Ravenna and the 90 art rgt (Cosseria) flew in disorder from Kantemirovka.
Most of Cosseria had been regrouped at Sofjevka, west of the railway Rossosc-Millerovo, while remnants of 89 inf rgt (they remained in the line till 20 december) were regrouping behind Cuneense division.
The army command thus decided that the command of the II corps had to leave Mitrofanovka and, through Rossosc-Starobelsk, had to move to Voroscilovgrad. There it had the task to reorganize its units, using also the supply sumps there existing.
Cosseria:
On 23 december the whole division moved near Rossosc, where it remained till 31 december.
Between 1 and 5 january the division (now at disposal of the Alpini Corps) was transferred in the area of Rovenki-Beloluzkaja to protect its right wing. Then it was had to move to south west to Izjum and later to Novo Beliza (near Gomel 1300 km north-west all by foot).
It arrived there on 7 march and joined again II Corps.
Ravenna:
The division arrived at Voroscilovgrad between 19 and 21 december. There it was reorganized and new equipment was issued.
The division command was relieved by german Kampfgruppe Andersen at Taly on 19 December and started the reorganization of the troops with him (1200 men, 30 officers, 2 guns 105/28, 20 lorries) at Valentinovka (4 km south-east from Mitrofanovka) during 20-21 december. In the morning of 22 december that position was under threat of enemy advance and it received the order to move to Voroscilovgrad with the group (through Rossosc-Rovenki-Starobelsk, Vesselaia Gora)
Hi all,
I would like to request help on tracking down two events that had caused me a headache for some time now.
1.) After the Little Saturn and Ostrogozhsk-Rossosh offensives, the Italian II. Corps (Cosseria, Ravenna) were thrust back into the frontline at Woroshilovgrad. Is there any info on the composition, battles, commanders and fate of this grouping?
2.) During late February, the 6. Bersaglieri Regiment, reinforced by other troops (f.e. Sforzesca's elements) under Mario Carloni was inserted into the frontline at Pavlograd. Is there any info on the composition and battles of this grouping?
3.) Were there any other cases of Italian units doing frontline fighting after the destruction of the ARMIR (including the Alpinis)? If yes, when and who were involved in it?
Any scraps of data would be more than welcome.
Thanks in advance,
And best wishes,
Abel
Posted 16 April 2005 - 06:14 PM by Michele
The data you requested are really huge!!
I would try to reply to your point number one: the defense of Voroscilovgrad and the river Donez.
The II Corps had no more operative tasks since 19 December, it had to reorganize its units in a different zone from Mitrofanovka, too close to the front.
On 17 December part of the forces of Ravenna (Capizzi group, made maily by troops of 37 infantry rgt) were separated from the corps, because it [Capizzi group] had moved towards south-east and joined 298 german inf div at Certkovo.
On 19 december most of Ravenna and the 90 art rgt (Cosseria) flew in disorder from Kantemirovka.
Most of Cosseria had been regrouped at Sofjevka, west of the railway Rossosc-Millerovo, while remnants of 89 inf rgt (they remained in the line till 20 december) were regrouping behind Cuneense division.
The army command thus decided that the command of the II corps had to leave Mitrofanovka and, through Rossosc-Starobelsk, had to move to Voroscilovgrad. There it had the task to reorganize its units, using also the supply sumps there existing.
Cosseria:
On 23 december the whole division moved near Rossosc, where it remained till 31 december.
Between 1 and 5 january the division (now at disposal of the Alpini Corps) was transferred in the area of Rovenki-Beloluzkaja to protect its right wing. Then it was had to move to south west to Izjum and later to Novo Beliza (near Gomel 1300 km north-west all by foot).
It arrived there on 7 march and joined again II Corps.
Ravenna:
The division arrived at Voroscilovgrad between 19 and 21 december. There it was reorganized and new equipment was issued.
The division command was relieved by german Kampfgruppe Andersen at Taly on 19 December and started the reorganization of the troops with him (1200 men, 30 officers, 2 guns 105/28, 20 lorries) at Valentinovka (4 km south-east from Mitrofanovka) during 20-21 december. In the morning of 22 december that position was under threat of enemy advance and it received the order to move to Voroscilovgrad with the group (through Rossosc-Rovenki-Starobelsk, Vesselaia Gora)