132nd Armored Division "Ariete"

This article is about the historic Royal Italian Army 132nd Armored Division "Ariete". For the historic Royal Italian Army namesake division, see 135th Armored Cavalry Division "Ariete". For the historic Italian Army Armored Division "Ariete" and currently active brigade, see 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete".

132nd Armored Division "Ariete"
132nd Armored Division "Ariete" insignia
Active1 February 1939 – 8 December 1942
Country Kingdom of Italy
Branch Royal Italian Army
TypeArmored
SizeDivision
Garrison/HQMilan
Motto(s)"Ferrea mole, Ferreo cuore"
Colorsblue and red
Mascot(s)Ram Head
EngagementsSiege of Tobruk
Operation Crusader
Battle of Gazala
First Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
Insignia
Identification
symbol
WWII Ariete gorget patches

The 132nd Armored Division "Ariete" (Italian: 132ª Divisione corazzata "Ariete") was an armored division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II. It was formed in 1939 as the second armored division after the 131st Armored Division "Centauro". The division fought in the Western Desert Campaign until being destroyed during the Second Battle of El Alamein and declared lost due to wartime events on 8 December 1942.[1]

  1. ^ Bollettino dell'Archivio dell'Ufficio Storico N.II-3 e 4 2002. Rome: Ministero della Difesa - Stato Maggiore dell’Esercito - Ufficio Storico. 2002. p. 329. Retrieved 23 November 2021.