After his return to Italy, he retained command of the Littorio Division, which on the following 28 October was transformed into the third armored division of the Italian Army. After Italy’s entrance into World War II, the division participated in the brief offensive against France and was then stationed in northern Italy until 11 April 1941, when it participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia, occupying Karlovac, Sibenik, Knin, Mostar and Trebinje, for which he was later awarded the Military Order of Savoy.