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**Гост** · 26-03-2003, 23:54

Italian Army in Russia

1941
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SOVIET UNION

June 22 - Mussolini is informed by letter that Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, is in progress. Mussolini is outraged. He could not understand how a decision that drastic could be made without his approval. Nevertheless, he insists on helping the Germans and pledges Italian troops to the operation.

June 26 - Mussolini reviews 60,000 of the best Italian troops being shipped to Ukraine in support of Operation Barbarossa.

For the next couple of months, the Italians proved victorious in the Russian campaign under Giovanni Messe . They were able to drive hundreds of miles into Russia and capture the Dneiper and Bugs River along with the German command.

August 26 - During Mussolini's visit to Ukraine to review his troops, General Messe informs Mussolini that his soldiers lack proper arms and few vehicles with even less fuel. He also notes that the Germans were reluctant to share supplies, yet were quick to criticize Italian failures due to supply problems. His troops began suffering from the Russian cold weather and needed warmer uniforms. Mussolini shrugs him off and tells him to make do with what he has.

October - Italian troops advance rapidly in the Soviet Union, sometimes up to 250 miles a week. At one point, the Italian military was strung out in a 500 mile line.

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**Гост** · 26-03-2003, 23:57

1942

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August - Russians near Serafimovich launch a counterattack against the Italians holding the Don River in the hope of holding back the advances to Stalingrad. The Italians were outnumbered yet told to stand their ground and fight to the end. They eventually beat back the Russian tanks with Molotov cocktails. The battle in Serafimovich cost the Italians 1,700 men, but capture 1,600 Russian POW's and many small arms.

August 24 - With the victory in Serafimovich, the Italian Savoia Cavalry made up of 600 men mounted a counter attack on the Isbuschenski steppe. The Russian's comprised of 2,000 men with mortar and artillery support. One squadron attacked head on, while the other came behind the enemy lines on horseback and possessing only sabers. They completely catch the Soviets by surprise and overrun the Russian position. This last calvary attack of World War II resulted in the destruction of 2 Soviet battalions, another battalion forced to withdraw and the netting of 500 POW's, 4 large artillery pieces, 10 Mortars, and 50 machine guns. (Last horse mounted charge in history! 8) )

It was the last time in history that the eternal orders "Trot, Gallop, Charge!" were given to a horse mounted unit....

Mid December - Axis forces begin losing ground in the Soviet Union. Russian troops mount a counterattack on the frozen Don River.
Fierce fighting is reported and eventually the Hungarian and Romanian forces flee, leaving only the Italians to fight. Outnumbered 4-1, The Italians are forced to retreat leaving only crack Alpine troops to fight until they too are almost encircled.

**Гост** · 26-03-2003, 23:59

Giovanni Messe was born near Brindisi on December 10, 1883. He fought in WW1, the colonies and against Ethiopia. He was Deputy Commander of the forces occupying Albania in 1939 and commanded a Corps in the Greek campaign.

In 1941, he became commander of the CSIR (Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia) and fought with distinction on the Eastern front until 1943. When Rommel moved up to command Heeresgruppe Afrika in March of that year, Messe succeeded him as commander of Panzerarmee Afrika, now renamed the first Italian Army.

By this time, the Desert War was completely lost to the Axis forces and Messe had little options available. After managing to accomplish a few tactical victories over the Allies, he was promoted Marshal on May 12, 1943 and joined the Germans in surrendering to the British a day later.

Giovanni Messe was chief of staff of the Royal Italian Army from 1943 to 1945. After the war, he was Senator from 1953-1955, but then retired to private life and wrote on his experiences. He was president of the Italian Veterans association and died in Rome on December 19, 1968.

**Imperial** · 27-03-2003, 07:05

The info was pretty interesting :tup:

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Italian Army in Russia

Italian Army in Russia

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