The Italian Army in Russia, July 1941 to Jan 1943

The following are my best attempts at recreating, under the Spearhead rules, some of the Italian formations that fought in Russia. The bulk of the forces engaged were standard Italian Infantry Divisions, and are covered by the existing lists. This article covers the units that are not covered in the existing lists, namely the Celere and Alpini Divisions.

In preparing this page I am much in the debt of Arturo Lorioli for providing the bulk of the information for the list and for correcting it. Although of course any mistakes or omissions are the fault of the author.

3rd "Principe Amedeo Duca D'Aosta" Celere Division (Russia July 1941 to March 1942)

Morale: All Regulars

Division Headquarters:

  • Headquarters Company: 1 HQ Stand in Staff Car / Truck

  • Recon: 1 SMG Motorcycle Stand.

  • 1 Engineer Company: 3 Engineer Stands (Rifles) in Trucks.

2 Cavalry Regiments (3rd "Savoia Cavalleria" and 5th "Lancieri Di Novara"), each with:

Regimental Headquarters:

  • 1 HQ Stand in Staff Car / Truck / Horse

  • Recon: 1 SMG Motorcycle / Horse Stand.

  • 1 HMG Company: 2 HMG Stands on Carts

2 Squadron Groups, each with: (Either these, or the Regiment, are the basic unit that you operate with)

  • Squadron Group Headquarters: Either 1 HQ Stand on Horse Recon: 1 SMG Stands on Horse Or 2 SMG Stands on Horse (If Regiment is the basic unit)

  • 2 Squadrons, each with 2 SMG Stands on Horse

1 Bersaglieri Regiment (3rd), with:

  • Regimental Headquarters Company: 1 HQ Stand in Staff Car / Truck.

  • Recon: 1 SMG Motorcycle Stand.

  • 1 Mortar Company with: 2 81mm Mortar Stands in Trucks.

  • 2 Motorcycle Companies, each with 3 Rifle Motorcycle Stands 1 HMG Motorcycle Stand

  • 2 Anti Tank Companies (172nd and 173rd), each with 2 47/32 AT Guns / Truck

3 Bersaglieri Battalions (18th, 20th and 25th), each with:

  • Battalion Headquarters: 1 HQ Stand in Staff Car / Truck.

  • Recon: 1 SMG Motorcycle Stand.

  • 2 Infantry Companies, each with: 3 Rifle Stands in Trucks 1 HMG Stands in Trucks

  • 1 Anti Tank Gun Company: 2 47/32 AT Guns / Trucks

1 Artillery Regiment (3rd "Voloire" Horse Regiment), with

  • Regimental Headquarters: 1 HQ Stand in Staff Car / Truck

  • 3 Horse Battalions, each with: 2 75/27 Guns / Horse.

  • 2 Anti-Aircraft Battery (91st and 101st), each with 2 20mm AA Guns / Truckss.

1 Light Tank Battalion (3rd "San Giorgio"), with:

  • Battalion Headquarters: HQ: 1 L3/33 Light Tank

  • 4 Tank Companies, each with: 2 L3/33 Light Tanks

This is my best interpretation of this Division during its first period in Russia. It has a high reputation and a good combat record; perhaps it may rate having 1/3 Veterans. For the cavalry I am unsure whether the Squadron Group or the Regiment should be used as the unit. The Squadron Group is probably to small to be viable on the tabletop, so perhaps the Regiment should be used.

Optional Organisation:

I am not sure how some of the units should be organised; therefore the following options could be used instead. Although I feel that the above are the most likely.

The Cavalry Regiments:

May have 3 HMG's in the HMG Company.

May only have 1 stand in the Squadron Group Headquarters.

May have Rifles instead of SMG's, or a mixture (they were armed with a carbine)

May have an Anti Tank Company added to the Cavalry Regiments Headquarters: 1 Russian 45mm AT gun / Horse.

Bersaglieri Motorcycle Companies:

May not have the HMG Motorcycle Stand They may not be attached or there may only be 1 company

Light Tank Battalion:

May be organised as the Light Tank Battalion, 1942 Armoured Division with L3/33 instead of L6/40. May have 4 Companies of 2 L3/33, instead of 3 Companies of 3.