Active 1939–1941 Branch Italian Army Nickname(s) Marmarica | Country Italy Type Infantry | |
Size DivisionItalian infantry divisions had at full strength about 13,000 men | ||
The 62nd Infantry Division Marmarica was an Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. IT was formed 9 May 1937 in Derna, Libya and was destroyed 5 January 1941 in Bardia.
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Action
The Marmarica Division was mobilized in October 1939. By 10 June 1940 it was re-located to Bardia. From 14 June 1940 to 23 July 190 it was used to attack Fort Capuzzo on the hills south of Saqīfat az Za‘farānah. 9 September 1940 the division Marmarica has arrived to Egypt to participate in the Italian invasion of Egypt. The Marmarica intended role was to protect the right (inland) flank of the advance to Sidi Barrani. (Operation Compass). 13 September 1940, the division passed the Halfaya Pass, and soon the orders were received to stop and prepare for the defence. The Operation Compass, started 18 November 1940, have cut the division from the bulk of the Axis forces. At Battle of Marmarica start 11 December 1940, the division was located at Sidi Omar to the south of Sollum. In the first day of fighting it become obvious what the Marmarica positions are untenable, therefore the retreat was made to stronghold of Bardia-Abyār ar Rujm - Zawiyat al Manestir - Bi’r al Ghirrīdīyah. The Marmarica have settled on the new defensive positions 16 December 1940. On 3 January 1941, The British resumed the offensive, resulting in Battle of Bardia. As the Allied forces advanced, several large Italian units were surrounded, cut off from supply, and defeated. After some hard fighting, one position after another surrendered. The Australians captured Bardia on 5 January, taking 45,000 prisoners and 462 guns for a loss of 130 dead and 326 wounded of their own. Whenever the Italians choose to fight, the fighting was fierce. An Australian historian later wrote that "in parts their defence was most efficient and often extremely brave." But the majority of Italian units have surrendered without fight, their morale sapped by hunger, thirst, lice and dysentery.