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