47 Infantry Division Bari

47th Infantry Division Bari
47th Infantry Division Bari Insignia
Active	1939 – 1944
Country	Regno d'Italia Kingdom of Italy
Branch	Regio Esercito Royal Italian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Bari, Italy
Nickname(s)	Bari
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Current commander	General Ernesto Zaccone
Notable commanders	General Ernesto Zaccone

The 47th Infantry Division Bari was an infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was formed 15 September 1939 in Bari, and reformed to Internal Security Division "Aosta" 21 September 1944. The Bari Division drafted men in Bari and in the Salento.

The Bari division has embarked for Vlorë in Albania 28 October 1940, to help in ongoing Battle of Pindus. All the divisional sub-units were en route 31 October 1940, landed and engaged separately. The 140th infantry regiment have reached border positions at Leskovik 2 November 1940, while 139th infantry regiment was placed under command of 3rd Alpine Division Julia, reaching Konitsa on the Greek territory, where heavy fighting has started immediately. The Greek forces have tried to re-capture the key road junction of Perati Bridge on the back of 139th infantry regiment. Although holding positions and successfully counter-attacking from 4 November 1940, until 7 November 1940, the defeat of 3rd Alpine Division Julia by 8 November 1940, have resulted in the positions of 139th infantry regiment being stretched along Sarantaporos river to cover 3rd Alpine Division Julia retreat. The positions from Konitsa to Sarantaporos river were generally held 11–14 November 1940, but 15 November 1940, the Bari division have abandoned Greek territory and concentrated on the defence of the Perati Bridge. Heavy Greek attacks on Perati Bridge were repulsed 17–18 November 1940, but 20 November 1940, the Greek breakthrough nearby have resulted in chain reaction of failures of Italian defences. The defence of Perati Bridge has than degenerated to bloody massacre, with few Italian survivors fleeing to Leskovik and Cerckë, joining the 140th infantry regiment long entrenched there. The events of that day have served as an inspiration to the Alpini song "Sul Ponte Di Perati". 21 November 1940, the re-united division Bari have stood blocking the Perati-Përmet road in the Aoös valley. After severe fighting, the remnants of the Bari division were relieved from the front line duties in Këlcyrë area 29 November 1940. The new order were to build a fortification line from Bodar to Mount Dhëmbel. As Italian forces continued to retreat, the fortification come under Greek attack starting from 16 December 1940. The reserve units of Bari division were also transferred to stop the Greek breakthrough south of Qarrisht’ e Fratarit 23 December 1940. At the beginning of January, 1941, the Bari was concentrated in line from west outskirts of Këlcyrë up to Mal Trebeshinë. The Greek have started a heavy attack 2 January 1941, capturing Qafa e Kiçokut soon. By 8 January 1941, the position of the Bari were severely outflanked, forcing its retreat from Këlcyrë, resulting in Capture of Klisura Pass by Greek 10 January 1941, and setting the stage for the Battle of Trebeshina. Consequently, the Bari division have retreated north to Ball - Panarit line. The Greek ski-mounted light forces have continued to try to envelop the Bari positions from north to open way to Berat, resulting in a particularly violent clash 15 January 1941, but the front lines have stabilized nonetheless. After repulsing another Greek assault around Vinokash and Kajcë 29 January 1941, the Bari division was replaced by 51st Infantry Division Siena and sent to Roskovec for the reorganization.