| 14th Infantry Division "Isonzo" | |
|---|---|
 14th Infantry Division "Isonzo" insignia | |
| Active | 1937–1943 |
| Country |  Kingdom of Italy |
| Branch |  Royal Italian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Gorizia |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | GeneralFederico Romero |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |       Isonzo Divisiongorget patches |
The14th Infantry Division "Isonzo" (Italian:14ª Divisione di fanteria "Isonzo") was aninfantrydivision of theRoyal Italian Army duringWorld War II. The division was based inFriuli and named for the riverIsonzo, along which Italy andAustria-Hungary had foughttwelve battles duringWorld War I.[1][2]
After theSecond Italian War of Independence theAustrian Empire had to cede theLombardy region of theKingdom of Lombardy–Venetia to theKingdom of Sardinia. After taking control of the region the government of Sardinian ordered theRoyal Sardinian Army on 29 August 1859 to raise five infantry brigades and one grenadier brigade in Lombardy. Subsequently on 1 November 1859 the Brigade "Como" was activated with the newly raised 23rd and 24th infantry regiments.[3]
The brigade fought on theItalian front inWorld War I. In autumn 1926 the brigade assumed the name of XIV Infantry Brigade and received the17th Infantry Regiment "Acqui" from the disbandedBrigade "Acqui". The brigade was the infantry component of the 14th Territorial Division ofGorizia, which also included the 6th Artillery Regiment. In 1934 the division changed its name to 14th Infantry Division "Isonzo". In late 1938 the division's 17th Infantry Regiment "Acqui" was transferred fromCormons toSchlanders in preparation for the activation of the33rd Infantry Division "Acqui". On 24 May 1939 the division dissolved the XIV Infantry Brigade, with the two remaining infantry regiments coming under direct command of the division. On the same date both infantry regiments and the 6th Artillery Regiment were given the name "Isonzo".[1][4][5]
On 10 June 1940, the day Italy enteredWorld War II, the Isonzo was deployed along the border withYugoslavia nearPostojna and performed security duties fromKalce, Logatec toJavornik Hills. The division remained in the area on border patrol duty until theinvasion of Yugoslavia on 6 April 1941. The Isonzo crossed the border on 6 April inGorizia and advanced towardBrezovica. On 11 April 1940 the division reached theGolovec District. After Yugoslavia's surrender the division was tasked with mopping-up operations and road patrols in the area. In January 1942 the division participated in large battles againstYugoslav partisans inBosnia. On 22 September 1942 partisans ambushed one of the division's companies, resulting in 60 killed and 24 missing. In 1943 the Isonzo fought a series of battles against the increasing number of partisans inSlovenia, abandoning gradually much of the countryside and concentrating on the defence of the main roads.
After theArmistice of Cassibile was announced on 8 September 1943 the division was ordered to move fromNovo Mesto toRijeka in Italy, but en route the division was dissolved nearKočevje on 11 September 1943 by theinvading German forces.[1]
14th Infantry Division "Isonzo", inGorizia[1][2]Attached to the division from 1941:[2]
The division's commanding officers were:[1][2]
The names of 51 men attached to the division can be found in theCentral Registry of War Criminals and Security Suspects (CROWCASS) set up by the Anglo-AmericanSupreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force in 1945. The names can be found at:Central Registry of War Criminals and Security Suspects from the Kingdom of Italy.