15 Raggruppamento Esplorante Corazzato (R.E.Co.) “Cavalleggeri di Lodi”

[jwsleser]

Posted 13 May 2013 - 11:28 AM by Alex Nicole

Hello All,

Can anybody tell me what the organisation was of the 5 Raggruppamento Esplorante Corazzato (R.E.Co.) “Cavalleggeri di Lodi” when it was part of 131ª Divisione Corazzata "Centauro"?

Thanks
Alex

Posted 13 May 2013 - 02:06 PM by dicassette2000

Alex

Raised 15 february 1942 at Scuola di Cavalleria di Pinerolo, 15.o RECO " Cavalleggeri di Lodi” (15°) was on HQ, 1st battalion on 1st squadron (armoured car) with Hq platoon and four armoured cars platoons-28 armoured cars- 2nd and 3rd squadron (light tanks each on Hq and four tank platoons -16 L6-40 tanks), 4th squadron (motorcicles with hq platoon and three motorcicle platoons(con plotone comando e tre plotoni motociclisti); 2nd battalion on 1st squadron(11 semoventi da 47/32), 2nd squadron (8 20mm Flak on trucks). Sent in Tunisia but only the 3rd squadron (tanks) arrive OK to Bengasi and immediately sent to Giofra. All the others convoy were badly mauled and at the end only a little bit of the reggimento going safely to Tunisia.Also the tanks are lost in battle and the entire units its reraised in Tunisia with poor materials. At the end the Lodi enter in the Tunisian campaign at Gabes with only Hq, 1° squadrone motociclisti-motorcicles-, squadrone autoblindo-armoured cars-, squadrone contraerei-aa squadron- ). It fought in this sector (Gabes) at nord and south of Chot Fedjada, and streets between Gabes and Sfax. After these the “Lodi” went in Akdref-Achicgina-El Hafay area, Fountatuine,Medenine and Ksar El Hallanf since Kebili. At the end of january 1943 “Lodi” (comando R.E.Co., 1° squadrone motociclisti, ½ squadrone autoblindo, ½ squadrone contraerei) went to “L” Brigata Speciale in the Triaga – Foucomerie area and some 1st Groups elements went with Divisione Corazzata “Centauro”. But “Lodi”, have lost at this date 60% of its material and 50% of the soldiers.So the 1st Armata Hq sent the “Lodi” and also the other RECO groups in Tunisia (“Nizza” and “Monferrato”), a semoventi battery (75/18) and a 65/17 battery on Trucks at Hamman – Lif,Gronbalia an the Tunisi road where remain since the end of campaign.
Hope it help
ALl the best
Maurizio

Posted 14 May 2013 - 09:24 AM by david

Sorry to butt in, but do you know when the first "Lodi" unit arrived in North Africa? I have heard as early as September 1942, but that doesn't sound right to me. I was thinking November at the very earliest.
Thanks.

Posted 14 May 2013 - 09:41 AM by dicassette2000

The only subunits arrived early at Bengasi (late october 1942) was the L6/40 squadron. All the other subunits and ALL the personnel from 20 to 25 november 1942.
Hope it helps
ALl the best
Maurizio

Posted 14 May 2013 - 09:48 AM by david

Did the latter also arrive at Benghasi? Or further West?
Also, do we know how much arrived of the other sub units in the way of equipment and personnel in November. That which was not sunk in transit!
Thanks.

Posted 14 May 2013 - 11:15 AM by Alex Nicole

Just a quick question where you say above; “Lodi” and also the other RECO groups in Tunisia (“Nizza” and “Monferrato”) where the three RECO Groups combined at this point or did each receive the semoventi and 65/17 batteries?

Thanks
Alex

Posted 14 May 2013 - 01:27 PM

Alex Nicole, on 14 May 2013 - 11:15 AM, said:
Just a quick question where you say above; “Lodi” and also the other RECO groups in Tunisia (“Nizza” and “Monferrato”) where the three RECO Groups combined at this point or did each receive the semoventi and 65/17 batteries?

Thanks

Posted 14 May 2013 - 01:27 PM by dicassette2000

Alex

At this point ...late January 1943 the 1st Army (italian) was lack of all...and so regrouped this units almost destroyed in kind of ...kampfgruppen. One of these was formed from the parts not lost of Lodi, Nizza and Monferrato
and the battery of semoventi (ex centauro division) and 65/17 battery (ex Giovani Fascisti division) and concentrated in these points. (From old location)
All the best
Maurizio

Posted 23 May 2013 - 11:31 AM by dicassette2000

david, on 22 May 2013 - 07:36 AM, said:
Maurizio

Did the latter also arrive at Benghasi? Or further West?
Also, do we know how much arrived of the other sub units in the way of equipment and personnel in November. That which was not sunk in transit!
Thanks, David.

It arrive at Bengasi port....and so I dont know the fate but the squadron was employed in AS retreat after Alamein. The others units employed like replacement.. only personnel...all the material was lost in sunk of transports.
All the best
Maurizio

Posted 25 May 2013 - 10:47 AM by madmike

take a look here.

http://www.paginedid.../libri/lodi.pdf

 

[jwsleser]

Posted 25 May 2013 - 10:50 AM by dicassette2000

Done...............
The regiment were raised on 17/1/1942 . It have:
-Comando di Reggimento: (Hq)
-I Gruppo Squadroni: (1st Squadron Group)
--Squadrone comando (Squadron Hq)
--1° Squadrone Autoblindo (1st Squadron)(17 Ab 41)
--1° Squadrone Carri L/6: (28 L6/40)
--2° Squadrone Carri L/6: (28 L6/40)
-II Gruppo Squadroni:
--1.o Squadrone semoventi 47/32
--2.o Squadrone motociclisti
--Squadrone contraerei (8 20mm AA)
--Squadrone automobilisti
On 21 september 1942 despached to Libia but convoy badly damaged from allied bombers and “Barbaro” ship with on board the Comando, squadrone comando and squadrone semoventi da 47/ 32 sunk, “Valfiorita” ship with squadrone contraerei, 2° squadrone motociclisti and 1° squadrone autoblindo semidestroyed repair to Corfù.
Only 2° Squadrone Carri arrive to AS (tank by sea and personnel by air with lost)
From 15 to 18 novembrer 1942 the regiment was reraised and piece to piece send to AS (by sea and air). On 25 november 1942 it was at Parco Littorio of Tripoli so rearranged
-Squadrone Comando R.E.Co.: (Hq Group Squadron)
-I Gruppo Squadroni
--Squadrone Comando: (Hq Squadron)
--1° Squadrone Autoblindo: (1st AC Squadron)
--1° Squadrone Motociclisti: (1st Moto squadron)
--Sqd. contro aereo da 20 mm (AA squadron)
The 1st Tank Squadron lost its tanks and never reraised (Pinerolo, Italy only personnel), 2nd motorcycle squadron lost all the moto and some personnel in the shotdown of its airtransport (personnal survived at Sfax), 47/32 semoventi squadron also in Italy without semoventi.
From November to December 1942 the regiment was in action with “Colonna Lequio” (Colonel Lequio was the commander of the Lodi) formed with Lodi and a battery Milmart da 75/46 and agroup of 76/30 and others little 5.a brigata “Imperiali”,s units. At the end of January the Lodi went to Gabes sector with only comando R.E.Co., 1° squadrone motociclisti, ½ squadrone autoblindo, ½ squadrone contraerei at the command of “L” Brigata Speciale . Only elements of 1° gruppo remain with Divisione Corazzata “Centauro”. From January to february 1943 also a second formation of “Colonna Lequio” was reraised with V Battaglione Camice Nere (3 coys), il 557° Gruppo semoventi 75/18 (two batteries), a 76/50 battery and a 76/30 section and fought with german 21. panzer. At 14 february 1943 arrive it squadrone semoventi da 47/32 reraised in Italy and also 9 AB 41. At 20 april 1943 the regiment lost 40% of it original force. Reraised with all cavalry units on the hand at 27 april 1943 it have:
- squadrone comando di Reggimento (Hq Squadron)
- squadrone autoblindo (AC Squadron)
- squadrone motociclisti (moto squadron)
- squadrone misto su 12 autoblindo ed un plotone motociclisti (AC and moto squadron 12 AC)
- un plotone semoventi da 47/32 (47/32 platoon)
- squadrone autocarrato su 147 Cavalleggeri (cavalry truck squadron)
- mezzo squadrone c.a. su 4 pezzi da 20 m/m (AA squadron)
Aso Raggruppamento Lequio was reraised with the Lodi regiment and XV Battaglione Carri (two coys), il 557° Gruppo semoventi da 75/18 (6 75/18 semoventi), LX Battaglione motomitraglieri and V compagnia Bersaglieri. Badly damaged in Enfidaville battle lost all the equipment in last Tunisian battle.

2.o Squadrone carri
The 2° Squadrone Carri was the only units of Lodi regiment that arrive in AS (tank by sea and personnel by air with lost) at the end of September. The Squadron have 28 L6/40 tanks and 18 trucks (1 Spa 38, 1 Lancia 3 RO, 1 little truck and 14 Fiat 666) and also a 1100 for the Hq. It went at Hon (Giofra oasi) with Comando Sahara Libico like reserve. (two platoon at Zella). They remain three months in this position. At 28 december went to Sebha with also 4 AB 41 AC. At 2 january retrait to Misda but lost in way all the tank and AC. Reorganized without tanks (like truck squadron) on this basis:

Comando di squadrone: Plotone Comando:
- 1^ sq. - pezzo da 47/32 m/m - sq. Comando
- 2^ sq. - 2 fucili mitragliatori - sq. Servizi
- 2 C/L/40 assistiti da 2 F666

I Plotone: II Plotone:
- 1^ sq. - pezzo da 47/32 m/m - 1^ sq. - pezzo da 47/32 m/m
- 2^ sq. - fucilone Solutum - 2^ sq. - 1 mitragliera da 20 m/m
- 3^ sq. - 2 mitragliatrici Breda - 3^ sq. - 2 mitragliatrici Breda
- 4^ sq. - 2 fucili mitragliatori - 4^ sq. - 2 fucili mitragliatori

III Plotone: IV Plotone:
- 1^ sq. - pezzo da 47/32 m/m - 1^ sq. - pezzo da 47/32 m/m
- 2^ sq. - 1 mitragliera da 20 m/m - 2^ sq. - fucilone Solutum
- 3^ sq. - 2 mitragliatrici Breda - 3^ sq. - 2 mitragliatrici Breda
- 4^ sq. - 2 mitragliatrici cal. 8 m/m - 4^ sq. - 2 fucili mitragliatori

With 150 man (46 drivers) . Went to Misda on 24 January and 2 February at Foum Tataouine where find the others cavalry units of “Nizza”, “Monferrato” e “Novara” and so fough with them.

ALl the best
Maurizio

 

[jwsleser]

Posted 23 May 2015 - 10:45 AM

take a look here.
http://www.paginedid.../libri/lodi.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20160405091314/http://www.paginedidifesa.it/libri/lodi.pdf

Looking at that pdf and applying Google Translate we get:

At the end of January 1943 items of "Lodi" industry Gabes passed the employ of the 50th Special Brigade and moved further north, in the area of Triaca - Faucounerie, where he participated under the command of 21 Armored Division Germanic, the occupation footsteps of Kralif, Rabaou and Faid, which was the premise of the battle of Sidi bu Sid.

Does anyone have any detail on the battles of the 30th Jan to 1st of Feb please? Ideally which sub-units of Lodi participated and where they were employed.

Were any other Italian units employed with 21PD?

_______
21 Panzer Division by JC Perrigault has the following on 21PD and its attachments for the Faid Pass battles

Kampfgruppe Nord attacking Kralif Pass: Tunisia T2 Battalion (-) 2 companies of Italians and 4 Semovente

KG Mitte attacking Faid Pass 1 Kp 104 Pz Gren Abt, 2Kp T2 Battalion, 4 Semovente, btty 88mm & heavy inf guns

KG Sud: attacking Rabaou I/104 Pz Gren Abt (-), battery 155 Pz Art Regt, 2 sections of 20mm from FlaK Btl 609

KG Grun: making an outflanking attack from the south west, I Abt Pz Regt 5, 2 88mm & 1 section 20mm

 

[jwsleser]

Posted 24 May 2015 - 07:43 AM by dicassette2000

Attached to the 21 Panzer (note: at 104th Panzergranadier's command) was (at this time from 28 January to 3 February)) the "Colonna Lequio" (Colonel Lequio was the Lodi's commander)
The “Colonna Lequio”(2nd) was so make:

-RECO Lodi (-)
--comando R.E.Co.,(HQ)
--1° squadrone motociclisti (1st motosolo coy)
--½ squadrone autoblindo (1/2 armoured car squadron AB41)
--½ squadrone contraerei (1/2 AA squadron 20 mm AA)
-V Battaglione Camice Nere (5th Blackshirt battalion - 3 coys)
-557° Gruppo semoventi 75/18 (557th semoventi battalion - two batteries of 6 semoventi each)
-una batteria contraerea da 76/50 ( a MILMART AA battery of 4 guns- MILMART Milizia Marittima - autocannoni da 76/50- a special AA mount for AT operations)
-una sezione 76/30 (a MILMART section of 2 guns = above).

First day of combat (29 January 1943 since morning 3 february 1943 when 21.a Panzer go to another side and Colonna Lequio bring the Hq of the zone.

At this time the Colonna Lequio (with the Sector HQ) was reinforced from others german units.

At this time Colonna Lequio was so make:
-RECO Lodi (see above)
-104° Reggimento Panzergrenadieren (104th Pzgren Rgt of 2 battalion)
-557° Gruppo semovente da 75/18 (see above)
-a 88mm AA battery (4 guns)
-Arty german section (2 152mm guns)
-Two germans AA batteries (20 m/m)
-69.a batteria da 20 m/m (69th AA 20mm battery from italian 30.o CA)
-XV Battaglione Carri M 14 (15th tank battalion from Sened sector)
-an italian 75/46 Milmart battery (see above)
-an italian 90/53 AA battery
-a 105/32 Arty Group from 29° Raggruppamento
-an 75/27 arty battery with attached some british arty guns
-un italian Milmart 76/30 section (see above)

The sector of Colonna Lequio was 70 Km long (gebel Nara-Bir Kebara region, Gebel Gouleb zone along Gebel Kralif, Akrouta, Rechiab, Rebaou e Boudinar).

In reserve was Reco Lodi, many mines were put in. The 104° Panzergrenadieren was at Rebaou and Faid Pass, the V Battaglione Camice Nere at Kralif pass.

Two days late arrive also squadrone semoventi da 47/32 “Lodi” (47/32 semoventi squadron Lodi from Italy) and nine AB 41 also from Italy.
Hope it help, all the best
Maurizio

 

[jwsleser]

Posted 24 May 2015 - 03:42 PM by Bob Mackenzie

http://carl.army.mil...ger/943GAMC.pdf gives slightly more detailed OB. I have checked the source referenced: http://www.history.a...ol-i-part_1.pdf