1st Libyan Division Sibille

The 1st Libyan Division Sibille was an Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was commanded by general Luigi Sibille and named after him. The division took part in the Italian invasion of Egypt and was destroyed during the Battle of Sidi Barrani.

1st Libyan Division Sibille
Active1939–1941
CountryItaly
BranchItalian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Nickname(s)Sibille
EngagementsWorld War II

History

Originally formed in the 1920s with the name Italian Libyan Colonial Division, this was a formation of colonial troops raised by the Italians in their colony in Libya and participated in the invasion of Ethiopia in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.

This formation was reorganized into the "1st Libyan Infantry Division Sibille" by the beginning of Italy's entry into World War II. It had 7224 men (mostly native Libyans). Its commanding general was Luigi Sibille.[1]

In September 1940, the 1st Libyan Division participated in the Italian invasion of Egypt. On September 13 the entire 1st Libyan Division, including a regiment of Libyan paratroopers attacked Sollum on the Egyptian northern coast, held by platoons of Coldstream Guards.[2] The British laid mines in the area and quickly withdrew to Marsa Matruh after suffering 50 casualties.

In December the British started a counter-offensive. The Arabs and paratroopers of 1st Libyan Division fought hard on the December 10, 1940, amid a howling sandstorm, until on December 11 the division began to disintegrate with heavy losses.[3] The division had dug in at Maktila near Sidi Barrani and was forced to surrender after heavy fighting during Operation Compass.[4]

Order of battle
  • 1st Libyan Division "Sibille"
    • 1º Raggruppamento libico
    • 2º Raggruppamento libico
    • Regiment Libyan Paratroopers
      • Battalion Commander – Lieutenant colonel Tonini
      • Deputy Commander – Major Ermete Dandini
      • 1st Company – Captain Luigi Sartini
      • 2nd Company – Lieutenant Ubaldo Fiamingo
      • 3rd Company – Lieutenant Ugo Rapoccini
      • 4th Company – Lieutenant Enrico Cirillo

See also

References
  1. "Divisione libica, 10.06.40". niehorster.org. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  2. "Delusione nel deserto - Dall'entrata in guerra (10-6-1940) alla vigilia del contrattacco inglese (9-12-1940)" (PDF). Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  3. "The Italian Army in Egypt during World War II" (PDF). Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  4. Walker, Ian W. (2003). Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts: Mussolini's elite armoured divisions in North Africa. Marlborough: Crowood. ISBN 1-86126-646-4.
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