3rd "Principe Amedeo Duca D'Aosta" Celere Division

Russia March 1942 - January 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 is 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.

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 Bersaglieri Regiment (3rd and 6th), each with:

Regimental Headquarters:

  • 1 HQ Stand in Staff Car / Truck.

  • Recon: 1 SMG Motorcycle Stand.

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

3 Bersaglieri Battalions (3rd Regt. - 18th, 20th and 25th , 6th Regt. - 6th, 13th and 19th), 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 Motorcycle Bersaglieri Battalion (47th) with:

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

  • Recon: 1 SMG Motorcycle Stand.

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

1 Artillery Regiment (120th Motor),

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

  • 2 Light Battalions, each with: 3 75/27 Guns / Tractors or Trucks.

  • 1 Field Battalion, each with: 3 100/16 Guns / Tractor.

  • 2 Anti-Aircraft Battery (93rd and 101st): 2 20mm AA Guns / Trucks

67th Bersaglieri Tank Battalion with:

  • Battalion Headquarters Company: HQ: 1 L6/40 Light Tank

  • Recon: 1 SMG Motorcycle Stand

  • 2 Tank Companies, each with 4 L6/40 Light Tanks 1 SMG Motorcycle stand

13th Semovente Group "Cavalleggeri Di Alessandria"

  • HQ: 1 Semovente L40 da 47/32

  • 3 Semovente L40 da 47/32

Divisional Anti Tank Units:

  • 3 Anti Tank Companies (172nd, 173rd and 272nd) each with 2 47/32 AT Guns / Truck

  • 1 Anti Tank Company (75th) with 2 75/39 AT Guns / Truck

1 Mortar Battalion with:

  • 1 HQ Stand in Staff car / Truck

  • 3 Mortar Companies each with: 2 81mm Mortar Stands in Trucks

Once again this unit enjoys a good reputation and could perhaps rate 1/3 Veteran.

Optional Organisation:

Once again I am unsure of some of the organisations. The Light Tank battalion may be organised differently, as detailed in the previous list. Similarly the motorcycle battalion may be only a company attached to each of the Bersaglieri Regiments / not exist at all / be detached.

13th Semovente Group:

This unit was of 2 squadrons. Therefore it can be used as 2 squadrons of 2 vehicles instead.

75th Anti Tank Company:

This unit was actually equipped the PaK 97/38, i.e. the barrel of the French 75mm field gun mounted on a German PaK 38 carriage and fitted with a Solothurn - Swiss made! - Muzzle brake: it was a rather good weapon nevertheless, especially when using its Hollow Charge AT rounds. The Italians called this the 75L39 AT Gun.

The 'Barbo' Cavalry Group:

Following the re - organisation of this Division the two cavalry regiments and the Voloire artillery regiment were transferred to this formation. I am unsure if their organisation was changed or if any other units were assigned.