| Ariete Division. 'First draft'. |
| Italian XX Mobile Corps. Ariete on the mat. Trieste behind it. |
One who has been following my progress so far has obviously been down this same road before, and amassed a deal of knowledge (thanks Neil). Against that I have a source that, owing to comprehensive and circumstantial detail seems persuasive. For a wild moment I thought the OOB referred to a later time, but the presence of Savona Division (surrendered at Bardia, January 1942 and never rebuilt) and RECAM (disbanded not long after the Crusader Operation) indicated I wasindeed reading a November 1941 Orbat..
On the other hand, it would appear that the inclusion of the Semovente group is mistaken (552 and 553 Battalions). I have two OOBs printed out, one that includes the assault guns, one without. The latter I unearthed buried among other bits of paper. Pity: I would have liked to include them.
...
Having said that, since I took the photos a couple of nights ago, I thought I'd post them here anyway, as a kind of 'first draft' of what Ariete division and XX (Mobile) Corps will look like.
The Order of battle of Ariete Division will henceforth be based upon this:
132 Armoured Division 'Ariete' Gen Mario Balotta
32 Armoured Regiment- I Lt Tank Bn
- II Lt Tank Bn
- III Lt tank Battalion detached to RECAM
132 Armoured Regiment
- VII Md Tank Bn
- VIII Md Tank Bn
- IX Md Tank Bn
8th Bersaglieri Regiment
- III Battalion
- V Battalion
- XII Battalion
132 Artillery Regiment
Battalion/ 26 Artillery Regiment (attached from Pavia Division
Battalion attached from 24th Corps Artillery Group.
No: no armoured cars, no Semovente. 'Jacko': I hope you are not disappointed!
But the Corps Troops do have truck mounted 102mm AA/AT.
****************************************************
On a personal note, I have very likely another operation in train. For the last thirteen years the vision in my left eye has been badly impaired by cataracts. And at last, in the last few weeks I have noticed a marked deterioration in the vision of my right eye. Yep. Cataracts. Confirmed by a visit to the optometrist last Thursday. I now have an appointment for a consultation at the St George's Eye Care on Monday, 1 October.
In a species of 'anti-celebration, Karen and I followed that evening's grocery buy with a feed at the 'Food Court' at the Eastgate shopping ... place. This is what I got. Mixed plate (lamb and chicken) with salad, chips (fries) and topped with BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, and yoghurt.
Battalion/ 26 Artillery Regiment (attached from Pavia Division
Battalion attached from 24th Corps Artillery Group.
No: no armoured cars, no Semovente. 'Jacko': I hope you are not disappointed!
But the Corps Troops do have truck mounted 102mm AA/AT.
****************************************************
On a personal note, I have very likely another operation in train. For the last thirteen years the vision in my left eye has been badly impaired by cataracts. And at last, in the last few weeks I have noticed a marked deterioration in the vision of my right eye. Yep. Cataracts. Confirmed by a visit to the optometrist last Thursday. I now have an appointment for a consultation at the St George's Eye Care on Monday, 1 October.
| Mixed plate. Toothsome? Oh, yes! |
In a species of 'anti-celebration, Karen and I followed that evening's grocery buy with a feed at the 'Food Court' at the Eastgate shopping ... place. This is what I got. Mixed plate (lamb and chicken) with salad, chips (fries) and topped with BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, and yoghurt.
| A unsolicited, unapologetic plug. |
It was a