223rd Coastal Division (Italy)

The 223rd Coastal Division was an infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. The division was located in the south of France coastal region. The 223 Coastal Division was formed from elements of Regular Infantry Regiments from the Alpini Divisions, from the 5th and 8th Alpine Regiments and the 26th Alpine Battalion. Normally Coastal divisions were second line divisions, formed from men in their forties and fifties intended to perform labouring and second line duties. Recruited locally, they were often commanded by officers called out of retirement. Their equipment was also second rate. The Prime Minister of Italy, Benito Mussolini had hoped to obtain large quantities of arms and equipment from the disbanded Vichy French army, but this was often sabotaged or arrived with no ammunition.^[1]

Area of France where the division was located

Order of battle

• 5th Alpine Regiment
• 8th Alpine Regiment
• 26th Alpine Battalion^[1]

References

1. Jowett p 6

• Jowett, Philip S. (2000). The Italian Army 1940–45 (1): Europe 1940–1943. Botley, Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-85532-864-8.