The Division was formed from
Italian POWs in Germany and new conscripts from Northern Italy. The Division was trained in
Heuberg on the
Swabian Jura, modern-day
Baden-Württemberg, and was only ready for combat in December 1944. The 1st Bersaglieri Division received the same equipment as the other
ENR divisions, but they were forced, more than once, to give armaments and materials up to German units sent to fight on the
Western Front. The 14,000 men strong Division was then to join the
Monterosa Division at the
Gothic Line. It was attached to the German
14th Army. Many soldiers were from the south of Italy and crossed the frontline to be able to return home. Other units fought well and resisted several allied attacks on their positions. In February 1945, the
92nd Infantry Division came up against the Bersaglieri of the 1st Italian "Italia" Infantry Division. The Italians successfully halted the US division's advance. However, the situation subsequently deteriorated for the Axis forces on the Gothic Line. In April 1945 the Gothic Line collapsed under the
Spring 1945 offensive in Italy. The 1st Italia Division was defeated by the
Brazilian Expeditionary Force in the
Battle of Collecchio and surrendered. ==Commanders==