Italy. An 30th Infantry Division "Sabauda" (30° Divisione Sabauda) Sleeve Badge

Italy (Kingdom); Bronze gilt with navy blue enamels, maker marked "LORIOLI & CASTELLI MILANO" on the reverse, 49 mm (w) x 60.2 mm (h), die-holes at all three points for uniform attachment, extensive chipping evident in the blue enamels, scattered gilt wear, fine.

 

Footnote: The 30th Infantry Division "Sabauda" was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army during the Second World War. The territorial division Cagliari was mobilized on October 1, 1934, renamed "Sabauda" (30a) after the newly built town of Sabaudia and were sent to Eritrea, arriving in Massawa on June 21, 1935. During its absence on Sardinia until February 9, 1937, it was replaced in Sassari and Cagliari by the Sassary II infantry division (130a) and the Sassari II infantry brigade (130). Initially, the Sabauda division was tasked with the defence of the Asmara-Dek’emhāre area. At the beginning of the war on October 3, 1935, it held a defensive line near Barachit. After overcoming an initial Ethiopian resistance at Fik’ada (Focada), it advanced rapidly, but came to nearly stop on October 7th. In November 1935, it seized the towns of Negash, Agula and Bolbala. It held positions on the heights overlooking the Tekezé River during the Ethiopian Christmas Offensive. The division started to advance on January 6, 1936, but stayed in Enderta Province in February 1936. The Sabauda division had a minor conflict at Battle of Amba Aradam from February 13 to 27, 1936. By April 3rd, the division arrived to Amba Alagi, where it won a decisive encounter. It then pursued the Ethiopians to Agumserta and finally to Lake Ashenge. With the way to Addis Ababa forced opened, the division surged forward, reaching the village of Shewa Kifle Hāger village on the capital's outskirts on April 26th, capturing Addis Ababa proper on May 5th. The division stayed in the capital area until December 1936, when it was recalled to Italy. The 30th Division Sabauda was reorganized as a binary division on April 15, 1939. Initially, it was deployed between Cagliari and Iglesias, Sardinia, with headquarters in Cagliari. In June 1940, the divisional position was reduced to the area around Sulcis. The Sabauda division stayed there until the Armistice of Cassibile was announced on September 8, 1943. On September 10, 1943, it re-positioned to repel German forces at Villacidro-Samassi-Selegas-Suelli, facing north. After Wehrmacht forced an evacuation to Corsica, the division was called to Sicily on November 10th. It initially arrived in the Enna-Caltanissetta region and stayed until relocating to the Messina-Catania-Syracuse area in September 1944. The division was demobilized to security division status on October 1, 1944. During its stay in Sicily, it performed various duties ranging from airfield and coastal defence to de-mining.