The Battle of Petrikowka (present-day Petrykivka, Ukraine) took place between 27 and 30 September 1941, during World War II. Fought between Italian and Soviet forces, it was the first significant engagement involving the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia.
Formation of bridgeheads On 16 September 1941 the 9th Infantry Division "Pasubio" was temporarily aggregated to the German 17th Army of Heeresgruppe Sud under Field Marshal von Rundstedt, and on 18 September it took position along the Oril river."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 97 On 23 September, the "Pasubio" created a bridgehead at Tsarytchanka, beyond the Dnieper river, in order to allow the German armoured units to cross to the other bank."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 98 Soviet forces launched heavy attacks against the bridgehead for three days, but it resisted; farther north, the division's 80th Infantry Regiment "Roma" launched a surprise attack and created another bridgehead at Voinovka."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 98 These two bridgeheads allowed German armoured units to cross the river with their tanks and thus break through the Soviet lines."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 97
Meanwhile, the 52nd Infantry Division "Torino" and the 63rd CC.NN. Assault Legion "Tagliamento" were transferred to Dnipropetrovsk, whereas the 3rd Cavalry Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta" was left to garrison the positions along the Dnieper and prepare for crossing."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 97
Capture of Petrikowka The German plan called now for encirclement of the Soviet forces, therefore a pincer movement, converging on the town of Petrikowka, was decided.Leonardo Malatesta, "Storia della legione Tagliamento, Dalla fondazione alla guerra di Russia", vol 1°, Pietro Macchione Editore, Varese, p. 194. The Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia of General Giovanni Messe was tasked with this manoeuver; the "Pasubio" division (now back under Italian command) would attack from north-east, and the "Torino" Division from south-east."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 99.
In the morning of 28 September 1941 the "Torino" attacked the Soviet forces, in order to broaden the bridgehead and reach Obuskvskje. Soviet forces put up a tenacious resistance, but despite this and the minefields the "Torino" eventually broke through the lines held by the Soviet 47th Tank Division (which was equipped with obsolescent T-26 light tanks), and supporting Red Army infantry units, near Petrikowka.Leonardo Malatesta, "Storia della legione Tagliamento, Dalla fondazione alla guerra di Russia", vol 1°, Pietro Macchione Editore, Varese, p. 196."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 100.Pierluigi Romeo di Colloredo, "Croce di ghiaccio", Genoa, 2010, p. 20.
On the following day, both the "Torino" and the "Pasubio" divisions were ordered to carry on with their advance towards Petrikowka, where the two divisions were to rejoin and thus cut off the Soviet retreat."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 100. At the same time, the 3rd Cavalry Division would send two Bersaglieri battalions of the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment on the other bank of the Dnieper, to start to sweep up the Soviet soldiers trapped in the pocket."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 100. The two regiments of the "Torino" division (81st and 82nd Infantry Regiment "Torino") and the Tagliamento Legion started their advance in the morning, clashing with several dissolving Soviet units and taking a number of prisoners.Pierluigi Romeo di Colloredo, "Croce di ghiaccio", Genoa, 2010, p. 20. The vanguards of the "Torino" were the first to reach Petrikowka, where they met units from the "Pasubio" around 18:00."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 101. The 3rd Cavalry Division, after crossing the river, started the sweeping operations, and rejoined the other Italian units in Petrikowka in the evening."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 101. The sweeps continued on the following day."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 101.
Total Italian casualties numbered 291 men, of whom 87 were killed, 190 wounded and 14 missing."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 102. About 10,000 Soviet prisoners were captured, along with large quantities of weapons, horses, trucks and supplies."Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993, p. 101.
Bibliography "Le operazioni delle unità italiane al fronte russo (1941–1943)", Italian Army Historical Branch, Rome, 1993 Pierluigi Romeo di Colloredo, "Croce di ghiaccio", Genoa, 2010 Leonardo Malatesta, "Storia della legione Tagliamento, Dalla fondazione alla guerra di Russia", vol 1°, Pietro Macchione Editore, Varese, 201. Jowett, The Italian Army 1940–45 (3), pg.10 Soboski, Marek, "Mussolini's Eastern Crusade: The Italian Expeditionary Corps in Operation Barbarossa", Zielona Góra, Ikona, 2021,
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