Italian Army Order of Battle 28 October 1940 (Albania)

compiled by Nikolaos Stamatopoulos nstamathens@hotmail.com

Sources:
1. GES/DIS, O Ellinikos Stratos kata ton Deuteron Pagkosmion Polemon, O
Ellinoitalikos Polemos 1940-1941, I italiki isvoli, (28 Oktovriou mexri 13 Noembriou
1940) (General Staff of the Army/Military History Direction, The Hellenic Army durimg
World War Two, The Greek-Italian War 1940-1941, The Italian Invasion, 28th October
to 13th November 1940) (Greek Offical History, volume 1), Athens 1960
2. Sebastiano Visconti Prasca, Ego Isevala stin Ellada, Athens 1999 (Greek translation
of Prasca’s book I ho aggredito la Grecia (I invaded Greece), Milano 1946)
3. Ch. Katsimitros, Ipiros promahousa (Epirus, the Bastion), Athens 1954 (Katsimitros
was VIII Division CO)
4. Your website (of course!)

Contains the following Organisation Tables:

1. C.S.T.A.
2. XXVI Corps
3. 53rd Division
4. 19th Division
5. 29th Division
6. 49th Division
7. 3rd Alpini Division
8. XXV Corps
9. 131st Armoured Division
10. 23rd Division
11. 51st Division
12. Coastal Division

Introductionary Notes on the Tables

1. This is an Army OOB only. The Air Force OOB in your website is, according to my
sources, correct. Services units unknown. Includes Task Organisations of Divisions
invading Greece (XXVI Corps remaining in the defensive).
2. This OOB is based mainly on Prasca’s book, which is in turn based on official Italian
reports of the operations, and captured Italian orders as found in Greek official history
and Katsimitros book. It must be generally correct, but help from your italian sources
would be very useful.
3. This OOB is a good comparison to your 10 June 1940 OOB, to notice Italian build up and
also confirm the units assigned to each Division.
4. Prasca’s book includes personnel and artillery pieces totals for several divisions, so it
becomes obvious that TOEs for Italian units in Albania were somewhat lighter than the
TOEs in your site. So Inf Gun Bty in Infantry Regiment had only 4 65/17 guns and
Divisional AT gun bty with only 4 47/32 guns. It also seems possible that inf Btlns had
only 9 45mm mortars each. Cav Sqdns are company strength, grouped in twos in Sqdn
Groups,

1. Commando Superiore Truppe Albania

(Army level command by October 1940, CO Gen. Sebastiano Visconti Prasca, Tirana)

Army Troops: 3 Custom Guards Btlns (numbers unknown), 26th Chemical Warfare Company,
21 batteries from 13th GaF Artillery (garrison artillery)
XXVI Corps Koritza
3rd Alpini Division Julia
XXV Corps Ciamuria
Raggruppamento Celere del Litorale (Light Coastal Groupment=Division)

2. XXVI Corps Koritza

(Opposite West Macedonia Army and guarding Yugolavian-Albanian Border,
CO Gen Gabriele Nasci)

Army Corps Reserves (In Erseka area) IV/ 31 Armored Rgt (50 L.3/35), 24th Motorized
Bersaglieri Btln, both from 131st Centauro Corazzata Division
And from North to South:
53rd Infantry Division Arezzo
19th Infantry Division Venezia
29th Infantry Division Piemonte
49th Infantry Division Parma

3. 53rd Infantry Division Arezzo

(In Shkodra area to cover northern part of Yugoslavian-Albanian border, CO Gen. Ferone,
Shkodra)

with 225th,226th Infantry Rgts (each with 1 65/17 inf gun bty), 1 Albanian Btln, Div. Mortar
Btln, 53rd Art Rgt and Services
(note: organisation as in your website (exc. CO) plus attached Albanians, TOE variations
unknown)

4. 19th Infantry Division Venezia

(in the area between Elbasani and Ochrid Lake, marching toward Prespes Lakes to take part
in the Invasion, CO Gen. Silvio Bonini, Elbasani)

with 83rd ,84th Infantry Regiments (each with 1 65/17 inf gun bty), 1 Albanian Btln, Div. Mortar
Btln, 13th Cavalry Rgt Cavalleggeri di Monferrato, 19th Art Rgt and Services. 19th Art Rgt had
the additional IV Group with only 2 100/17 How Btys and 2 attached indep. 100/17 How Btys
attached, so that the Division had a strength of ca 5 art groups.
(note: organisation as in your website (incl. CO) plus attached units, TOE variations
unknown)

5. 29th Infantry Division Piemonte

(In the area around Koritza (Korça) as 2nd Echelon behind 49th Division)

Division HQ (Koritza, CO Gen. Narli)

3rd Infantry Regiment (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), SE Moshopolis
4th Infantry Regiment (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), SW Koritza
Albanian Btln, SE Moshopolis
24th Artillery Rgt (-II/24 Group, 75/13), Drenovo
29th AT Bty (4 47/32 guns), Drenovo
29th Mortar Btln
29th AA Bty (8 20/35 AA guns)
Services
(note: most component units as in your site, but with the lighter TOE mentioned in the notes
and different CO)

6. 49th Infantry Division Parma

(On the northern section of the Greek-Albanian border, opposite West Macedonia Army)

Division HQ (Koritza, CO Gen. Attilio Grattarola)

49th Infantry Regiment (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), Biglitza (opposite IV Brigade)
50th Infantry Regiment (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), Segula (opposite IX Division)
CI (101st) MG Btln (motorized), Koritza
93rd CCNN Btln, Koritza
109th CCNN Btln, Koritza
166th CCNN Btln, Koritza (from November 1940 to 23rd Ferrara Div)
1 Albanian Btln
8th Motorcyclist Company/5th Bersaglieri Rgt (22nd M/c Btln), Koritza
1 Cav Sqdn/6th Cav Rgt, Koritza
Light Tank Detachment, Koritza, 6 or 10 tanks, perhaps this is the indep coy depicted under
26th Corps in your OOB of 10 June 1940
49th Artillery Rgt (-II/49 Group, 75/27), Biglitza and Segula
2 Btys 100/17 from IV Group/19 Art Rgt, Megola
269th and 270th Btys/13th GaF, Poloska (each bty 4 hv guns)
1 Hv Art Group/26th Corps Art Rgt, Poloska (3 btys ea 4 guns, group number unknown)
49th AT Bty (4 47/32 guns)
49th Mortar Btln
49th AA Bty (8 20/35 AA guns)
26th Sappeur Btln (-coy)
Services
(note: most component units as in your site, but with the lighter TOE mentioned in the notes
and different CO)

7. 3rd Alpini Division Julia

(In Pindos section of the front, opposite Pindos Detachment)

Division HQ (CO Gen. Girotti) with following attached units

1 Cavalry Squadron (unknown from which regiment)
1 Albanian Company (or Btln, if 2 companies in northern flank were also albanian, see bellow)
1 Mountain Bty (? Does not correspond to art pieces total given, but is mentioned repeatedly
in the sources) (unknown from which regiment, but surely not from 3 Alpina Art Rgt, as this
had only 5 btys, attached one to each of the 5 btln of 8 and 9 Alpini Rgts)
8th Alpini Regiment (3 Btlns and 3 attached Btys, probably Conegliano Art Btln/3 Alp Art)
9th Alpini Regiment (2 Btlns and 2 attached Btys, probably Udine Art Btln/3 Alp Art)

(note: organisation as in your website (exc. CO) plus attached units under Divisional HQ)

Task Organisation:
(North to South:)
I. 2 (Albanian?) Companies opposite Sub-Sector I (North) of Pindos
Detachment
II. Northern Group (8th Battle Group, CO Col. Despino, CO 8th Rgt, east of
Erseka), opposite Sub-Sector II (Center) of Pindos Detachment in 3
columns, north to south:
a. Tolmezzo Column (Tolmezzo Btln with attached Mnt Bty, prob 15th)
 b. Gemona Column (Gemona Btln with attached Mnt Bty, prob 14th)
c. Cividale Column (Cividale Btln with attached Mnt Bty, prob 13th)
III. Southern Group (9th Battle Group, CO Col. Tavoni, CO 9th Rgt, Germeni)
opposite Sub-Sector III (South) of Pindos Detachment in 2 columns, north to
south:
a. Vincenza Column (Vincenza Btln with attached Mnt Bty, prob 17th)
b. Gemona Column (Gemona Btln with attached Mnt Bty, prob 18th)
IV. Divisional HQ with 1 Albanian Coy, 1 Mnt Bty (?) and 1 Cav Sqdn marched behind
Northern Group

8. XXV Corps Ciamuria

(In Southern section of the Greek-Albanian border, opposite VIII Division, exc. Thesprotia
Detachment, CO Gen. Carlo Rossi)

Corps Troops: 1 Bridging Btln (-det. to Sienna and Ferrara Divs), 1 Engineer Btln, 1 Water
Transportation Coy, 2 Telegraph Cos, 8 Btys / 13th GaF Art (including 2 static garrison btys-
Loggora and Klisoura), services
131st Corazzata Division Centauro
23rd Infantry Division Ferrara
51st Infantry Division Sienna

9. 131st Corazzata Division Centauro

(some of the divisions units were used to reinforce 23rd Ferrara Division or to form XXVI Corps
reserve. What was left formed the Reserve for XXV Corps in Tepeleni area, CO Gen.
Giovanni Magli)

Div HQ, Tepeleni

31st Armoured Rgt (-III and IV Btlns), Tepeleni (HQ and I Btln), Argirocastro (II Btln), Rgt CO
was Col. Kosta Agelo, according to Prasca’s totals the Rgt(-2 Btlns) had 113 L3/35 tanks.
5th Bersaglieri Motorized Rgt (- 2 Motorized Btlns, Premeti (it included Rgt HQ, 1 AT Bty (only
4 47/32 guns) and 22 Motorcyclist Btln HQ
1 Motorcycle Coy/ 22 Bersagliery M/c Btln/5th Bersaglieri Rgt, Tepeleni
131st Art Rgt, Tepeleni (6 motorized field btys each 4 75/27 and 2 AA Btys each with 8 20/35
AA guns)
131st AT Bty (only 4 47/32 guns)
 10. 23rd Infantry Division Ferrara
(CO Gen Licurgo Zannini, opposite Negrades Sector of VIII Division)

Div HQ, Grapsi

47th Infantry Rgt(with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), HQ Sopiko
48th Infantry Rgt(with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), HQ Kakavia
14th Bersaglieri Motorized Btln (from 131st Div), Perat
2 Motorcyclist cos/22nd M/c Btln/5th Bersalieri Rgt (from 131st Div), Tsarisovo
1st Albanian CCNN Legion (Btlns I and II)
1 Sqdn Group/19th Cav Rgt Cavalleggeri Guide, Grapsi, with 2 MG Pltns from Rgt MG sqdn
attached
III/31 Armoured Btln (from 131st Div), Premeti (50 L3/35 tanks)
14th Art Rgt, HQ Episkopi with I Group (100/17), II Group (75/18 How), III Group (75/13), IV
Group (75/27). There was also an additional 75/27 Group, unknown from which Rgt. All
Groups had 3 Btys.
XIX (149/35), XVIII (105/38), CXV(149/13), CXVI (149/13)Groups/26th Corps Art Rgt, each
Group with 3 Btys
3 Btys/13th GaF Art (149/35)
23rd AT Bty (only 4 47/32)
23rd AA Bty (8 20/35 AA)
23rd Mortar Btln HQ Grapsi
Brigding Det (from Corps)
Div Services etc.

Task Organisation:
(from North to South, Columns named after CO, except Central Column under Div CO:)

Col. Solina Column (Perat) with:

II Btln/1st Albanian CCNN Legion
14th Bersaglieri Motorized Btln (from 131st Div)
1 Motorcyclist co/22nd M/c Btln/5th Bersalieri Rgt (from 131st Div)
III/31 Armoured Btln (from 131st Div) (50 L3/35 tanks)
Art Group wih 3 75/27 Btys (unknown Rgt)
XIX Hv Art Group (149/35)
268 Bty(149/35)/13th GaF Art
23rd AA Bty
1 Pltn/ 23rd AT Bty (2 47/32)
Col Tricio Column (North of Drymades) with:
47th Infantry Rgt(with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns) (-III Btln)
2 cos/23rd Mortar Btln
III Group (75/13)/14th Art Rgt (-1 Bty)
1 Mixed Engineer Pltn

Central Column (Episkopi area) with:

I Btln/1st Albanian CCNN Legion
III Btln/47th Inf Rgt
III Btln/48th Inf Rgt
1 Sqdn Group/19th Cav Rgt Cavalleggeri Guide with 2 MG Pltns from Rgt MG sqdn attached
(Lt Col Scarpa’s Sqdn Group)
1 Motorcyclist co/22nd M/c Btln/5th Bersalieri Rgt (from 131st Div)
23rd Mortar Btln (-2 cos)
1 Pltn/ 23rd AT Bty (2 47/32)
Brigding Det (from Corps) (50 trucks with pontoon equipment)
I Group (100/17), II Group (75/18 How), IV Group (75/27)/14th Art Rgt (each group 3 Btys)
XVIII (105/38), CXV(149/13), CXVI (149/13)Groups/26th Corps Art Rgt, each Group with 3
Btys
2 Btys/13th GaF Art (149/35)

Col Sapienza Column (Kakavia) with:

48th Infantry Rgt(with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns) (-III Btln)
1 Bty/III Group (75/13)/14th Art Rgt (possibly with Albanian personnel)

11. 51st Infantry Division Sienna

(CO Gen. Gualtiero Gabutti, Vagalates, opposite Kalamas Sector and part of Thesprotia
Detachment of VIII Division and part of Thesprotia Detachment)

Div HQ, Vagalates

31st Infantry Rgt(with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), Perdikari
32nd Infantry Rgt (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), Yianiari area
19th Cav Rgt Cavalleggeri Guide (-1 Sqdn Group and 2 MG Pltns), Yianiari area
141st CCNN Btln
1 or 2 Albanian Btlns
51st Art Rgt (I and III Groups with 75/27, II Group with 75/13, each group with 3 btys)
II/24 Art Rgt (3 btys 75/13)
XXXII Group/26th Corps Art Rgt (3 btys 75/27)
1 Hv Art Group/26th Corps Art Rgt (3 btys 149/13, possibly numbered LXXVIII)
51st AT Bty (only 4 47/32)
51st AA Bty (8 20/35 AA)
51st Mortar Btln HQ Grapsi
Brigding Det (from Corps)
Div Services etc.

Task Organisation:
(from North to South:)

Northern Battle Group, CO Col Carloni, Perdikari

31st Infantry Rgt (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns)
II Group (75/13)/51st Art Rgt
1 Pltn/ 51st AT Bty (2 47/32)
1 co/51st Mortar Btln

Southern Battle Group, CO Col Gianini, Yianiari area

32nd Infantry Rgt (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns)
19th Cav Rgt Cavalleggeri Guide (-1 Sqdn Group and 2 MG Pltns)
1 or 2 Albanian Btlns
II/24 Art Rgt (3 btys 75/13)
1 Pltn/ 51st AT Bty (2 47/32)
1 co/51st Mortar Btln
Brigding Det (from Corps)

Divisional Maneuver Units, Konispolis area

141st CCNN Btln
51st Art Rgt (-II Group)
XXXII Group/26th Corps Art Rgt (3 btys 75/27)
1 Hv Art Group/26th Corps Art Rgt (3 btys 149/13, possibly numbered LXXVIII)
51st AA Bty (8 20/35 AA)

Div HQ and remaining units, Vagalates area

12. Raggruppamento Celere del Litorale

(Coastal Cavalry Division, opposite Thesprotia Detachment of VIII Division, CO Gen. Rivolta)

3rd Granatieri Rgt (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns), West of Konispolis
1 Albanian Btln
6th Cav Rgt Lancieri di Aosta, (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns attached), Tsaliani
7th Cav Rgt Lancieri di Milano, (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns attached), West of
Konispolis
II Group/ 49th Art Rgt (75/27), 3 btys with 4 guns each, West of Konispolis

Task Organisation:
(from North to South:)

Morigi Column (CO 7th Rgt, Col Giorgio Morigi) with 7th Cav Rgt Lancieri di Milano, (with 1
65/17 inf gun bty with 4 guns attached)
Adreini Column (CO 3rd Granatieri) with 3rd Granatieri Rgt (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty with 4
guns), Albanian Btln and II Group/ 49th Art Rgt (75/27), 3 btys with 4 guns each.
Imperiali Column (CO 6th Rgt) with 6th Cav Rgt Lancieri di Aosta, (with 1 65/17 inf gun bty
with 4 guns attached)