The 24. Infantry Division Pinerolo was mobilized June 1940 and took part in the invasion of France. It later took part in the invasions of Greece and Yugoslavia. It served as a garrisson force first in Ocrida in Yugoslavia and later in Larissa in Greece. Following the Italian surrender it joined the Greek ELAS partisans in fighting the Germans.

Known war crimes

After an attack from Greek partisans against Italian forces a reprisal action was ordered and soldiers of the Pinerolo division burned down the village of Domenikon on 16-17 February 1943 and killed an unknown number of civilians. (1)

The commander of the Pinerolo division, General Cesare Benelli, announced on 13 June 1943:

In the even of acts of sabotage against the Larissa-Volos railway line, the following [fifty] Greek citizens detained in the concentration camp will be short. (2)

Order of battle

13. Pinerolo Infantry Regiment
14. Pinerolo Infantry Regiment
313. Infantry Regiment
18. Gran Sasso Artillery Regiment
136. Tremonti CCNN Legion
24. Mortar Battalion
24. Anti-Tank Company
24. Signal Company
61. Pioneer Company
32. Medical Section
64 Supply Section
145. Field Bakery

Footnotes

1. "Fascism's European Empire: Italian Occupation during the Second World War" by Davide Rodogno, page 346.
2. "Fascism's European Empire: Italian Occupation during the Second World War" by Davide Rodogno, page 347.

Sources used

George F. Nafziger - Italian Order of Battle: An organizational history of the Italian Army in World War II (3 vol)
Davide Rodogno - Fascism's European Empire: Italian Occupation during the Second World War

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -