33rd Mountain Infantry Division Acqui

33rd Infantry Division Acqui
33rd Infantry Division Acqui Insignia
Active	1939–1943 1 January 2003 - today
Country	Regno d'Italia Kingdom of Italy
Branch	Regio Esercito Royal Italian Army
Role	Infantry
Size	Division
Nickname(s)	Acqui
Engagements	World War II
Decorations	Gold Medal of Military Valor
Commanders
Notable commanders	Ernesto Chiminello Antonio Gandin
Insignia
Collar patch (mostreggiatura)

The 33rd Infantry Division Acqui (Italian: 33ª Divisione Acqui) was a mountain infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. The only difference between line infantry divisions and mountain infantry divisions was that the latter's artillery was carried by pack mules instead of the standard horse-drawn carriages. Italy's real mountain warfare divisions were the six alpine divisions manned by the "Alpini" mountain troops. The Acqui Division was formed in August 1939 from the parts of 14th and 11th infantry brigades, and mobilized for war in October 1939. It is notable for having been massacred with remarkable cruelty after surrendering to the Germans 21 September 1943. The main detachments of the Acqui division in the islands of Cephalonia and Corfu were officially dissolved 24 September 1943.

The Acqui division was deployed in 1940 as part of Italian II Corps to defend a line of Maddalena Pass-Argentera-Colle del Ferro on the French border. After France surrendered to Germany in the evening of 22 June 1940, it received orders to advance to cross the border 23 June 1940. Meeting weak opposition it descended to La Condamine-Châtelard. 24 June 1940, it also reached the Ubaye Valley, but at this point a Franco-Italian Armistice come into effect and the Acqui division was immediately sent back to Veneto region. 6 December 1940, the division received an orders to move to Albanian-Greek border. It reached a coastal area north-west of Vuno in Himarë municipality 18 December 1940, and immediately ordered to reinforce positions of 51st Infantry Division Siena at Shushice river valley. Because of the overall deterioration of Italian positions in Greco-Italian War, 19 December 1940 it already encountered a Greek forces trying to capture Vlorë. The Acqui division was then fought defensively until end of December, 1940. Only attacks to improve the defence positions were made. In January, 1941, the bitter fight for the Qafa e Hazërit mountain trail have started. The Qafa e Hazërit trail have changed hands several times. In February, 1941, the division was pulled back to Smokthinë in Shushice river valley. It was re-deployed in Kakoz, Albania in March, 1941. In the course of the German-led Battle of Greece the Acqui division have started an attack at Bolenë, Horë-Vranisht and Maja e Mesimerit 14 April 1941. The Greek army began an organized retreat on April 16, and the Acqui took the direct route to the border town of Konispol and a Greek province of Filiates beyond. The city of Igoumenitsa and a coastal town Syvota were captured 20 April 1941.