209th Coastal Division (Italy)
The 209th Coastal Division () was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. Royal Italian Army coastal divisions were second line divisions formed with reservists and equipped with second rate materiel. They were often commanded by officers called out of retirement. History. The division was activated on 20 April 1943 in Bari by expanding the IX Coastal Brigade. The division was assigned to IX Army Corps and had its headquarter in Noicattaro. The division was responsible for the coastal defense of the coast of northern Apulia between the river Saccione and Torre  Testa del Gallico near Brindisi. After the Armistice of Cassibile was announced on 8 September 1943 the division immediately fought German forces and then surrendered on 11 September to the British 1st Airborne Division. On 15 September the Allies reactivated the division, which joined the Italian Co-belligerent Army and for the rest of the Italian campaign performed rear area security and work duties as 209th Division for the British Eighth Army. The division was disbanded in autumn 1945. Organization. Attached to the division: Commanding officers. The division's commanding officers were: