The 6th Infantry Division "Cuneo" (Italian: 6ª Divisione di fanteria "Cuneo") was a unit of the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) that served during the interwar period and World War II.
Formation and Organization
- Date of establishment: 1 May 1935, as part of the Italian Army’s expansion under the Fascist regime.
- Garrison: Initially based in the city of Cuneo, in the Piedmont region of north‑west Italy, from which the division derived its name.
- Structure (typical WWII organization):
- Two infantry regiments (the 28th and 30th Infantry Regiments)
- One artillery regiment (the 15th Artillery Regiment)
- Support units including engineers, signal corps, anti‑tank, and logistical elements.
Operational History
| Period | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1935–1939 | Pre‑war training and border duties | Conducted exercises in the Alpine sector and served in garrison roles. |
| April 1941 | Invasion of Yugoslavia | Took part in the Italian advance into Yugoslav territory, operating primarily in the Dalmatian region. |
| June 1941 – 1943 | Occupation duties in Greece | Deployed to the Peloponnese and mainland Greece, tasked with anti‑partisan operations and coastal security. |
| September 1943 | Armistice of Cassibile | Following Italy’s surrender to the Allies, the division was effectively dissolved; most personnel were either interned by German forces, joined the Italian Co‑Belles, or returned to civilian life. |
Disbandment
After the armistice, the division ceased to exist as an organized formation. Its remaining equipment was either seized by German forces or abandoned. No formal re‑formation of the 6th Infantry Division "Cuneo" occurred after the war.
Legacy
The division is remembered in Italian military historiography for its participation in the Balkan campaigns and as an example of the infantry divisions raised during Mussolini’s expansionist period. It has no direct successor in the post‑war Italian Army (Esercito Italiano).
