132nd Armoured Division Ariete

132^ Divisione Corazzata Ariete 132nd Armoured Division Ariete
Italian 132^Armored Division/Brigade "Ariete" Shoulder Insignia
Active	1 February 1939 – 8 December 1942 23 May 1948 – 30 September 1986
Country	Kingdom of Italy (1939–1943)  Italy (1948–1986)
Branch	Italian Army
Type	Armored
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Milan
Nickname(s)	Ariete (Ram)
Motto(s)	"Ferrea mole, Ferreo cuore"
Colors	blue and red
Mascot(s)	Ram Head
Engagements	Operation Compass Siege of Tobruk Operation Crusader Battle of Gazala First Battle of El Alamein Second Battle of El Alamein
Commanders
Notable commanders	Raffaele Cadorna, Jr. Pietro Giannattasio Gian Marco Chiarini Roberto Ranucci Paolo Ruggiero

The Ariete Armoured Division was an armoured division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was formed in 1939 as the second armoured division in the Italian Army after the 131 Armoured Division Centauro. The division fought in the North African Campaign until being destroyed during the Second Battle of El Alamein. After World War II the division was reformed as part of the Italian Army.

The 132nd Armoured Division Ariete was formed in Milan in February 1939, it was initially made up of the 8th Bersaglieri motorised infantry regiment, the 32nd armoured regiment, equipped with L3/35 light tanks and a few M11/39 medium tanks, the 132nd artillery regiment, and additional divisional support units. The division was moved to the French border at the outbreak of World War II, but was kept in reserve during the short campaign on that front. It was part of the Army of the Po, the strategic reserve.

Later, some battalions of the 32nd Tank Regiment were sent to Libya on a stop gap basis. The I and II M11/39 medium tank battalions were sent as part of the Maletti Group. The III and V M13/40 medium tank battalions become part of the Special Armored Brigade (Brigata Corazzata Speciale, or BCS). Both the Maletti Group and the BCS were part of the ill-fated 10th Army.