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Ariete’s Contribution to Sidi Rezegh – di Nisio Column

The official report in the Italian files is already posted at this link. This post brings together more detailed information.

After its defensive victory over 7 Armoured Division’s 22 Armoured Brigade at Bir el Gubi on 19 November, the Ariete Division remained in the El Gubi area until 25 November when, under orders of Panzergruppe, it moved off east in pursuit of the supposedly beaten 8 Army.

Preceding this however, Panzergruppe Afrika requested support for the encirclement of 7 Armoured Division at Sidi Rezegh. At the order of the Corpo Armata di Manovra, which controlled Ariete, a mobile force was detached to support the Afrikakorps in its fight against 7 Armoured Division. This post gives a timeline and order of battle for this column, which was named after its commander, Brigadier-General di Nisio, Deputy Commander of the Ariete Division.

1. Order of Battle and strength (estimate)

Force Element Equipment Est. Strength
Command    

Regimental Command 132nd Tank Regiment

 Signals, command vehicles Not known
Armour    

8th Tank Battalion

 M13-40 2 companies, 30-34 tanks, depending on losses at el Gubi

9th Tank Battalion

 M13-40 2 companies, 30-34 tanks, depending on losses at el Gubi
Infantry    

5th Lorried Bersaglieri Battalion

 Mortars, machine guns 2 rifle companies, 1 machine-gun company, mortars (estimate)

3rd (?) Anti-Tank Company

 47/32 AT guns 12 Anti-Tank guns
Artillery    

1st Artillery Group

 75/27 guns 12 guns (light)

Flying Battery of 2nd Artillery Group

 65/17 guns 4 guns (light) (not clear)

Battery of Field Guns

 105/28 4 guns (field)

Battery of Lorried Artillery

102/35 guns 4 or 5 guns (old but powerful naval guns)

What is clear from this, the uncertainties notwithstanding, is that this was a well-balanced force of armour, artillery, and infantry. A very considerable difference in force composition and balance compared to what the Empire troops were fielding at this time.

2. Timeline and Map

Day/Time Event
23 November  
0800 Departure from Bir el Gobi
1300 Joins German column coming from North-East and receives orders to accompany this column from German commander (either Cruewell or Neumann-Silkow). German records give the time of contact as 12.35, at a point 12km north-east of Bir el Gubi.
1400 – 1900 Joins combat at Bir el Gubi. German records show that Ariete was supposed to start at 1400 together with 15. Panzerdivision, covering its right flank. The German attack started at 1500, Ariete reported being in combat at 1600 with enemy armour, which is confirmed by German after-action reports – a group of British tanks attacked from the left into the path of Ariete and the flank of 15. Panzer. The late start led to the flank of 15. Panzer to be uncovered, which caused severe problems to its advance. At the end of the fight The di Nisio column claims 153 POW, amongst whom 3 officers, and large quantities of materiel.
24 November  
Morning The column is ordered to rejoin the division which in turn is order to join the pursuit of the 8 Army. The column rests in place, awaiting the arrival of the division. It comes under artillery fire.
Evening The column rejoins the division.
 
 
 

Map of the battle of Totensonntag from the Afrikakorps war diary. Lighter text and drawing showing Empire troop positions. Map of the battle of Totensonntag from the Afrikakorps war diary. Lighter text and drawing showing Empire troop positions.

 
 
 
3. Commander

Brigadier General Ismaele di Nisio had an interesting wartime career. Prior to the war, as Lieutenant-Colonel, he authored two training pamphlets, on tanks in combat and infantry patrols. Following his stint as deputy commander of Ariete, he may for a short time have taken over as acting commander, and then rose to command the armoured Young Fascist division (No. 136) during the Gazala battles and at El Alamein. On 8 September 1943, the day of Italy’s surrender, he commanded the 47th “Bari” Infantry Division in Sardinia. He remained a royalist and contined in active command of 9th Corps and the Puglia & Lucania Military District in southern Italy until the end of war.

4. Pictures

Italian soldiers resting in front of a M13/40 tank. From the Bundesarchiv digital collection

Captured 65/17 gun on a (re-captured) Morris truck, North Africa 1942, from Wikipedia

102/35 gun captured by Empire troops, from Wikipedia

A Bersagliere in North Africa uniform with the typical feathered helmet. From the Italian Army website.

5. Sources

  • War diaries
    • Ariete Division
    • Deutsches Afrikakorps
    • 15. Panzerdivision
  • Web sites

 

11 thoughts on “Ariete’s Contribution to Sidi Rezegh – di Nisio Column”

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