Active 1939–1941 Branch Italian Army Size Division | Country Italy Type Infantry Nickname(s) Sibelle | |
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The 1st Libyan Division Sibelle was an Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II.
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History
Originally called in the 1920s with the name Italian Libyan Colonial Division. This was a formation of colonial troops raised by the Italians in their colony in Libya and participated in the invasion of Ethiopia in the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.
This formation was reorganized into the "1st Libyan Infantry Division Sibelle" by the beginning of Italy's entry into World War II. It had 7224 men (mostly native Libyans).
In September 1940, the 1st Libyan Division (commanded by general Sibelle and named after him) participated in the Italian invasion of Egypt. By December, the division was dug in at Maktila near Sidi Barrani and was forced to surrender after heavy fighting during Operation Compass.
Indeed, on September 13 the entire 1st Libyan Division, including a regiment of Libyan paratroopers attacked Sollum on the Egyptian northern coast, held by platoons of Coldstream Guards. The British laid mines in the area and quickly withdrew to Marsa Matruh after suffering 50 casualties.
In December the British started a counter-offensive. The Arabs and paratroopers of 1st Libyan Division fought hard on the December 10, 1940, amid a howling sandstorm, until on December 11 the division began to disintegrate with heavy losses.