7 Infantry Division Lupi di Toscana

7th Infantry Division Lupi di Toscana
7th Infantry Division Lupi di Toscana Insignia
Active	1938–1943
Country	Italy
Branch	Italian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Brescia
Nickname(s)	Lupi di Toscana
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders	Ottavio Priore
Insignia
Collar patch (mostreggiatura)

The 7th Infantry Division Lupi di Toscana ("Wolves of Tuscany") was an infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. It was in 1938 formed as binary (2-regiment) division from infantry brigade in the city of Brescia. Despite the name ("Wolves of Tuscany"), the division was formed by men from Lombardy, especially from Brescia, Bergamo and the surrounding valleys.

The Lupi di Toscana took part in the Italian invasion of Albania, arriving in Durrës on 19 April 1939. Within 15 days, it assumed occupation duties at Pogradec-Korçë-Ersekë area until 20 December 1939. The Lupi di Toscana Division was held as part of the Army reserve in June 1940, during the Italian invasion of France. The Lupi di Toscana then took part in the Greco-Italian War where it suffered heavy losses after landing 5 January 1941 near Himarë. Hasty landing without heavy weapons resulted in run and division disintegration after encounter with the Greek 15th Infantry Division north of Këlcyrë. The Greek propaganda nicknamed the 7th Infantry Division "The hares of Tuscany". In details, initial attacks on Greek positions was made 8 January 1941 near Taronine, Përmet District. Tne Lupi di Toscana held nearby peaks until 12 January 1941, after which it has started to disintegrate. One of the infantry regiments was surrounded and annihilated 15 January 1941, while other units were shattered, and remnant soldiers have fled toward Qafa e Bubesit 18–21 January 1941. Lupi di Toscana was relieved of front-line duty 26 January 1941, and was sent to Karbunare to regroup. It was back to the front-line 2 March 1941, sent to protect Dragot bridge east of Tepelenë 12 March 1941, under command of 25th Army Corps. It was then assigned to the reserve of 11th Army, guarding the area of Lepenicë from 18 March 1941. From 19 March 1941, until 26 March 1941 it fought the defensive battle south-east of Tepelenë. 13 April 1941, the Lupi di Toscana was back to the offensive, capturing Mezigoran and Peshtan villages. Then it continued to advance toward Sopik in Gjirokastër District, reaching the Greek-Albanian border 21 April 1941. It stayed near Kerásovo, in Epirus region, from 24 April 1941.