In November 1942 the division was sent to France for the coastal defence of the Cannes-Saint-Tropez sector, effectively taking part in the occupation of Vichy France, and afterwards stayed in France on occupation duty. In August 1943 the division began a gradual return to Apulia in the south east of mainland Italy. It returned first to Bologna, and then headed for Brindisi in Apulia. After allied forces had landed on the Italian peninsula and an armistice between Italy and the Allies had been signed on 8 September 1943, some small detachments were already at Brindisi and Francavilla Fontana, while many others were stranded at Bologna and other locations on their way to their destination. The division remained loyal to the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III, who fled with his royal court from Rome to Brindisi. Therefore, "Legnano" began to work with the Allies, who soon arrived as a result of Operation Slapstick.