61st Infantry Division Sirte
The 61st Infantry Division Sirte was an auto-transportable Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Sirte Division was formed 9 May 1937 in Misrata, and destroyed 23 January 1941 east of Tobruk. The Sirte was classified as an auto-transportable division, meaning staff and equipment could be transported on cars and trucks, although not simultaneously.Action
The division was mobilized for action in October 1939. By 10 June 1940, the Sirte division was deployed on Tunisia-Libya border. In September 1940, it was part of the Italian XXII Corps that took part in the Italian invasion of Egypt, performing supply lines defence role behind Kambut and its airfields of RAF Gambut. At the start of Operation Compass 9 December 1940, the division was stretched from ‘Ayn al Ghazālah to hills south of Saqīfat az Za‘farānah. 7 January 1941, the division was encircled in Tobruk and subject to heavy bombardment. The division was overrun by on 21-22 January 1941 during the British capture of Tobruk.Order of battle
