221st Coastal Division (Italy)

The 221st Coastal Division was an infantry division of the Italian Army during World War II. The division was located in the Lazio coastal region of Italy. Coastal divisions, were second line divisions, usually formed from men in their forties and fifties intended to perform labouring and second line duties. Recruited locally they were often commanded by officers called out of retirement. Their equipment was also second rate. The Prime Minister of Italy, Benito Mussolini had hoped to obtain large quantities of arms and equipment from the disbanded Vichy French army, but this had often been sabotaged and arrived with no ammunition.[1]

Map of Italy showing the Lazio region in red

Order of battle

• 4th Coastal Infantry Regiment
• 8th Coastal Infantry Regiment[1]

References

1. Jowett 2000, p. 6

Bibliography

• Jowett, Philip S. (2000). The Italian Army 1940-45 (1): Europe 1940-1943. Osprey, Oxford - New York. ISBN 978-1-85532-864-8.