LI Special Brigade (Italy)
The LI Special Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed on 1 February 1942 in Bari and arrived on 1 March 1942 on the island of Crete. The brigade was assigned to the 51st Infantry Division "Siena", which commanded the Italian contingent of the German-Italian Fortress Crete Command during the Axis occupation of Greece.
The brigade had its headquarter in and was responsible for the coastal defense of the easternmost part of Crete along the coast between Ierapetra, Kalo Chorio, Sitia, and Palaikastro. After the Armistice of Cassibile was announced on 8 September 1943 the brigade surrendered to the Germans.
Organization
LI Special Brigade- * 265th Infantry Regiment "Lecce"
- ** Command Company
- ** 3x Fusiliers battalions
- * 341st Infantry Regiment "Modena"
- ** Command Company
- ** 3x Fusiliers battalions
- ** Support Weapons Company
- * XIV Guardia di Finanza Battalion
- * XI Machine Gun Battalion
- * XI Mortar Battalion
- * 251st Anti-tank Company
- * 252nd Anti-tank Company
- * 199th Anti-aircraft Battery
- * 268th Anti-aircraft Battery
- * 269th Anti-aircraft Battery
- * 160th Telegraph and Radio Operators Company
Commanding officers
The division's commanding officer was:- Generale di Brigata Luigi Chatrian
- Generale di Brigata Mario Matteucci