The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Cagliari" established in
Turin on 1 August 1862 with the 63rd and 64th infantry regiments.
World War I The brigade fought on the
Italian front in
World War I. On 30 September 1926 the brigade command and 64th Infantry Regiment "Cagliari" were disbanded, while the
63rd Infantry Regiment "Cagliari" was assigned to the
XXVI Infantry Brigade. On 5 April 1939 the 64th Infantry Regiment "Cagliari" was reactivated in
Ivrea. On the same date the 59th Infantry Division "Cagliari" was activated in
Vercelli and was assigned its two namesake infantry regiments and on 1 September 1939 the 59th Artillery Regiment "Cagliari" was reformed by the
17th Artillery Regiment "Sforzesca" in
Novara and assigned to the division.
World War II Invasion of France In June 1940 the Cagliari was assigned to
I Army Corps and participated in the
Italian invasion of France. On 10 June 1940 the division was stationed on the French-Italian border on the
Mont Cenis-
Monte Niblè-
Rocciamelone line. On 15 June the division crossed the border and captured
Dents d'Ambin, Sommet de la Nunda, Pas de la Beccia and Col de Sollières around
Mont Cenis lake by 17 June 1940. On 21 June 1940 the Cagliari reached the
Arc river valley and started advancing to
Bramans and Le Planey (on Ruisseau d'Étache stream), capturing both on 23 June 1940. Immediately an attack was initiated towards the Val d'Ambin with the aim to take
Modane, but the
Franco-Italian Armistice signed 24 June 1940 ended hostilities the next day. The division remained in the Arc valley until the end of September, when it returned home to Italy.
Greco-Italian War On 21 January 1941 the division was ordered to move to
Albania to reinforce the Italian front in the ongoing
Greco-Italian War. On 31 January 1941 the Cagliari division arrived in
Berat and was assigned to
VIII Army Corps. First contact with Greek forces was made on 8 February 1941 near
Berat, with clashes at
Mali i Tërpanit and
Paraspuar following soon. On 12 February 1941 the Italian front had stabilised from
Qafa e Bubësit to positions in valleys of
Osum and
Tomorrica rivers. On 11 March 1941, as part of the
Italian Spring Offensive, the Cagliari attacked towards
Bubës, capturing it on 13 March 1941. The division's
assaults of Monastery Hill a few kilometers south on 14–19 March 1941 were unsuccessful. As a result of Greek units disengaging after the start of the
German invasion of Greece on 6 April 1941, the Cagliari advanced to the ridge overlooking the
Këlcyrë Gorge on 15 April 1941, overcoming some Greek rearguard resistance. On 18 April 1941 the division continued the pursuit to
Përmet and reached the pre-war border stream of
Perati on 20 April 1941, where Greek rearguards once more tried to make a stand. After the Greek surrender the Cagliari was used as occupation force in
Kalpaki. In June 1941, the division was transferred to the southern
Peloponnese, where garrisons were established in
Tripoli,
Kalamata and
Sparta. The division undertook anti-partisan duties and coastal defence duties until September 1943. After the announcement of the
Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the Cagliari was disbanded by the German
117. Jäger-Division. == Organization ==