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| 2nd Grenadier Division "Littorio" | |
|---|---|
| 2ª Divisione Granatieri "Littorio" | |
| Active | 1 January 1944 - 28 April 1945 |
| Country |  Italian Social Republic |
| Branch | National Republican Army |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Tito Agosti |
The2nd Grenadier Division "Littorio" (Italian:2ª Divisione granatieri "Littorio") was one of four divisions raised by Mussolini'sItalian Social Republic. Although an infantry formation, it was referred to as a "Grenadier" formation to connect it with precedingGranatieri di Sardegna units.
The 18,500 men strong Division was formed from Italian POW's in Germany and new conscripts from Northern Italy. It was trained in Germany and was ready for combat at the end of October 1944. One month later the Littorio Division was deployed in Italy, close toGothic Line. In January 1945 the Littorio Division was transferred to the Piedmont Alps, where it fought against French regular and partisan forces in theSecond Battle of the Alps until the end of the war.Western Alps defence was entrusted to theLXXV German Army Corps to whom were added the main part of theMonterosa, the Littorio Division and other units (Decima Flottiglia MAS,Cacciatori delle Alpi). The Littorio successfully defended the Italian frontier preventing the French from invadingAosta Valley. The last battalions of the Littorio surrendered to theAllies on 4 May 1945, two days after the surrender ofGerman andItalian Republican forces in Italy.
2nd Grenadier Division "Littorio":Maj. Gen.Tito Agosti
The division has been implicated in nineteen instances of war crimes in Italy between November 1944 and May 1945, with around 120 civilians killed in the course of these incidents.[1]
