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"Ariete" Tactical Group

M

Montbrun

New Member
I'm looking for the internal organization of the "Ariete" Tactical Group after the destruction of the division after El Alamein. I know that it was comprised of the remnants of the "Ariete," "Trieste" and "Littorio" Divisions, but I am looking for something resembling an actual organization.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brad
 
D

diciassette2000

Member
The Ariete Group, or Cantaluppi Group from the name of its commander, underwent notable transformations during and after the retreat from El Alamein, however its initial composition was as follows:
-Comando Divisione Ariete (Hq Ariete division)
--66º Reggimento Fanteria "Valtellina" (two battalions Divisione "Trieste")
--12º Reggimento Bersaglieri (two coys Divisione "Littorio")
--Resti dei Gruppi Esploranti Nizza e Monferrato (armored cars ???? 12)
-CXXXII e CXXXIII Gruppo Artiglieria Corazzata (less a battery)
The battlegroup cooperated with the German 90th Light Infantry throughout the retreat from Egypt to Tripolitania. The unit then stopped at el-Agheila on November 22nd, and on November 25th, it was reached there by the order to disband the 132nd Ariete Armored Division. The Cantaluppi Group continued to operate as the only Italian armored force within the ranks of the Italian First Army until the Centauro Division was formed on Tunisian soil. As of December 25, 1942, the Group had a strength of 22 M tanks, 12 armored cars, 3 companies of truck-mounted infantry, 7 47/32 anti-tank guns, and 4 20 mm anti-aircraft guns.
all the best
Maurizio
 
Kustosz2137

Kustosz2137

Member
diciassette2000 said:
The Ariete Group, or Cantaluppi Group from the name of its commander, underwent notable transformations during and after the retreat from El Alamein, however its initial composition was as follows:
-Comando Divisione Ariete (Hq Ariete division)
--66º Reggimento Fanteria "Valtellina" (two battalions Divisione "Trieste")
--12º Reggimento Bersaglieri (two coys Divisione "Littorio")
--Resti dei Gruppi Esploranti Nizza e Monferrato (armored cars ???? 12)
-CXXXII e CXXXIII Gruppo Artiglieria Corazzata (less a battery)
The battlegroup cooperated with the German 90th Light Infantry throughout the retreat from Egypt to Tripolitania. The unit then stopped at el-Agheila on November 22nd, and on November 25th, it was reached there by the order to disband the 132nd Ariete Armored Division. The Cantaluppi Group continued to operate as the only Italian armored force within the ranks of the Italian First Army until the Centauro Division was formed on Tunisian soil. As of December 25, 1942, the Group had a strength of 22 M tanks, 12 armored cars, 3 companies of truck-mounted infantry, 7 47/32 anti-tank guns, and 4 20 mm anti-aircraft guns.
all the best
Maurizio
Click to expand...

Majority of those 22 tanks were most likely M14/41s of the XIII. Medium Tanks Battalion, as it was the only one, which wasn't declared lost immediately after the II Battale of El Alamein and survived (to some degree) as an organic unit up to early 1943.
 
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