History
The 16th Infantry Division "Pistoia" (Italian: 16ª Divisione di fanteria "Pistoia") was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. The division was named after the city of Pistoia and initially an infantry division, but reorganized to a fully motorized division in 1941. Consequently on 10 October 1941 the division was renamed 16th Motorized Division "Pistoia" (Italian: 16ª Divisione motorizzata "Pistoia"). The Pistoia had its recruiting area in the central Emilia-Romagna and its headquarters in Bologna.
On 15 January 1941 the division was transferred to Calabria and tasked with coastal defense. In 1941 the Pistoia was reformed as a motorized division and renamed 16th Motorized Division "Pistoia" on 10 October 1941. In September 1942 the division was transferred to North Africa and took positions on the Bardia-Sallum-Naqb al Halfayah road, guarding the supply line of the Panzer Army Africa at El Alamein.
On 22 April 1943 the allies began their final offensive in Tunisia and after a few days, despite some successful counter-attacks west of the Takrouna road junction, the Pistoia was surrounded. The last of the division's units surrendered on 13 May 1943.
On 15 January 1941 the division was transferred to Calabria and tasked with coastal defense. In 1941 the Pistoia was reformed as a motorized division and renamed 16th Motorized Division "Pistoia" on 10 October 1941. In September 1942 the division was transferred to North Africa and took positions on the Bardia-Sallum-Naqb al Halfayah road, guarding the supply line of the Panzer Army Africa at El Alamein.
On 22 April 1943 the allies began their final offensive in Tunisia and after a few days, despite some successful counter-attacks west of the Takrouna road junction, the Pistoia was surrounded. The last of the division's units surrendered on 13 May 1943.
Featured Missions
| Campaign | Mission |
|---|---|
| Tunisia : Southern Operations | Encircling at Gabès |