22 Infantry Division Cacciatori delle Alpi

22nd Infantry Division Cacciatori delle Alpi
22nd Infantry Division Cacciatori delle Alpi Insignia
Active	1939–1943
Country	Italy
Branch	Italian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Perugia
Nickname(s)	Cacciatori delle Alpi
Engagements	World War II Operation Trio Operation Foča
Insignia
Division collar insignia

World War II

The 22nd Infantry Division Cacciatori delle Alpi was an infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Cacciatori delle Alpi was mobilized for war in June 1939 and was dissolved 11 September 1943.

As the Italian invasion of France started 10 June 1940, the Cacciatori delle Alpi division has stayed in reserve as part of the Italian 1st Army in Perinaldo-Pigna, Liguria-Castel Vittorio areas near the border with France. It was moved out of reserve 19 June 1940 and assigned an attack sector at Triora-Vallecrosia-Camporosso, but the war ended 24 June 1940 before the division has any combat.

In the first half of January, the Cacciatori delle Alpi division was transferred to Albania, reaching Bubës, Qafa e Bubësit 18 January 1941. It concentrated around Berat city 19 January 1941, and reached a definite destination in sector between Qafa e Bubësit, Përroi i Branecit and river Osum 25 January 1941. 25 January 1941, the Greek forces attacked en masse over river Osum. 28 January 1941, the severely decimated Cacciatori delle Alpi division gave the way and parts of division have retreated to the north until Shkumbin river. The minor defensive battle was won by Italians at Mali i Firtit 9–10 February 1941, and thus they managed to stop the Greek advance. With the start of the general Italian offence 15 April 1941, the Cacciatori delle Alpi division has participated in attack on Korçë, reaching Cerovë after some fighting. It crossed Vjosë river near Përmet 21 April 1941, thus blocking the retreat route of Greek army. 28 April 1941, it moved to Korçë and then to the Greek border around Mavri Petra mountain near Ersekë.