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The 51st Infantry Division Siena ((イタリア語: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. ==Actions== 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〔http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rediv51.htm〕. 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.〔http://www.regioesercito.it/reparti/fanteria/rgt/rgt31.htm〕. 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. To plug the Greek breakthrough after Capture of Klisura Pass, 25 January 1941 the ''Siena'' division was thrown to line Qafa e Kiçokut - Monastery Hill (Height 731) north of Këlcyrë. It managed to stop the breakthrough, despite of incessant Greek attacks. 8 February 1941 the division was sent to reserve again. It participated in Italian Spring Offensive 19 March 1941 (with disastrous results) and in Battle of Greece, capturing Klisura 14 April, 1941. An order was given to ''Siena'' 16 April 1941 to stop and to give a way to the 47th Infantry Division Bari. After the fighting ended, the ''Siena'' was first re-organized in the Osum valley and then sent to Peloponnes at the beginnning of May, 1941, forming garrisons in Corinth, Nemea, Argos and Nafplion. In the late September, 1941, the division was transferred to the eastern part of the island of Crete, joining the Italian XXVI Corps. 18 April 1943, the parts of ''Siena'' have repelled an Allied landing attempt on the Koufonisia island. The division remained in Crete until September 1943, when Italy surrendered to the Allies according to Armistice of Cassibile and the division was disarmed by the Germans.〔 2,670 men drowned when they were transported to the mainland as PoWs on the SS ''Petrella'', which was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS ''Sportsman''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「51st Infantry Division Siena」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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