51st Infantry Division Siena

51st Infantry Division Siena
51st Infantry Division Siena Insignia
Active	1939–1943
Country	Kingdom of Italy
Allegiance	King of Italy
Branch	Royal Italian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Naples
Nickname(s)	Siena
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders	General Ercole Caligian, General Gualtiero Gabutti, General Giulio Perugi, Lieutenant General Angelico Carta

The 51st Infantry Division Siena (Italian: 51a Divisione di Fanteria "Siena") was a regular infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Siena Division was formed 15 September 1939 and dissolved 8 September 1943. Historically a Campanian unit, it was made almost entirely of Neapolitans.

By 10 June 1940, the Siena was transferred to Piedmont as part of army reserve. It did not participate in Italian invasion of France. Fully mobilized in August 1940, the Siena division have received order to move to Albania in September 1940. By the start of Greco-Italian War 28 October 1940, the division was deployed in the Delvinë-Konispol region as part of the Italian VIII Corps, covering border from Mal Stugarë where it linked with 23rd Infantry Division Ferrara, to the coast. Ordered to contribute in the attack on the Greek city of Ioannina, the division have failed to even cross Thyamis river until 6 November 1940 due heavy Greek resistance. 6 November 1940, the beachhead across Thyamis was established, but the division have immediately turned to defence because of the severe Greek forces build-up. 14 December 1940, it repelled a Greek probing attacks, but by 19 December was running with the main forces in the line from Himarë to Kallarat. It was able to stop the Greek advance only short of the valley of Shushicë, on the mountaintops of Mali i Çorajt to Horë-Vranisht. The fighting was bloody, with the infantry regiments of Siena down to the battalion strength. The 33rd Mountain Infantry Division Acqui has come to the Siena rescue 24 December 1940, and 26 December 1940 the Siena division was relieved from the front line duties and sent to Berat to regroup.