2nd Blackshirt Division (28 October)

The 2nd Blackshirt Division 28 Ottobre was an Italian Camicie Nere (Blackshirt) militia unit formed for the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.

It was named 28 ottobre (Italian for "28 October") in honor of the Fascist March on Rome (28 October 1922).

Order of battle (1935-36)

"28 Ottobre" Blackshirts Division (Gen. Somma) with :

• 114th Blackshirts Legion "Garibaldina"
  • 114th "Garibaldino" Blackshirts Battalion
  • 115th "Leonessa" Blackshirts Battalion
  • 114th MMG company
  • 114th pack-artillery battery
• 116th Blackshirts Legion "Alpina"
  • 116th "Alpino" Blackshirts Battalion
  • 125th "Ferreo" Blackshirts Battalion
  • 116th MMG company
  • 116th pack-artillery battery
• 180th Blackshirts Legion "Alessandro Farnese"
  • 174th "Taro" Blackshirts Battalion
  • 180th "Alessandro Farnese" Blackshirts Battalion
  • 180th MMG company
  • 180th pack-artillery battery
• 2nd Blackshirts MMG Battalion
• 2nd Artillery Battalion (65L17 – Army)
• 2nd Special Engineers Company (mixed Blackshirts and Army)
• 2 x Replacements Battalions

Notes:

• Additionally the division had a medical section, logistics section, and transport of a pack-mules unit (1600 mules), and a mixed trucks unit (80 light trucks).

Order of battle (1940)

"28 Ottobre" Blackshirts Division (Gen. Francesco) with :

• 231. CCNN Legion
  • 131. CCNN Battalion
  • 132. CCNN Battalion
  • 135. CCNN Battalion
• 238. CCNN Legion
  • 138. CCNN Battalion
  • 140. CCNN Battalion
  • 145. CCNN Battalion
• 2. CCNN Anti-tank Company
• 202. MG Battalion
• 202. Artillery Regiment
• 202. Mixed Engineer Battalion

Notes:

• Took part in the invasion of Egypt and was destroyed at Bardia, Libya Jan 1941.

Sources

• Lucas, Ettore; Giorgio de Vecchi (1976). Storia delle Unità Combattenti della MVSN 1923-1943. Giovanni Volpe Editore. pp. 63–116 plus errata.
• Madej, W.,V., Italian Army Order of Battle, 1939-1943,1981,Allentown, PA.
• Madej, W.,V., Italian Army Order of Battle: 1940-44, 1990, Allentown, PA.