Post by Diarist on Feb 9, 2016 11:11:44 GMT 1
With elements of the 32nd Infantry Division beginning to arrive on the northern front, the 7e Demi-Brigade de Chasseurs Alpins with the 20th GRDIN (Recon) as vanguard started a flanking maneuver over a low pass west of the main valley in the late evening. South of Pont-Saint-Martin the valley narrows to only 3-4 km wide and the Italian 2nd Infantry Division has managed to halt the French forces. As more reinforcements arrive the French alpinists will disengage then regroup so that they can launch a separate attack on the Italian right flank, i.e. on the opposite side of the valley to the Chasseurs. The fresh 32nd Infantry Division will then put pressure on the Italian centre. The six artillery regiments available will first concentrate on the Italian right then switch to the centre with one regiment reserved to support the flanking operation of the 7th Chasseurs.
West of Torino progress is slow but the 30th Alpine Division is arriving in strength and the Italian 1st Alpini Division is slowing retiring to positions south of the city at Moncalieri. To the south the remnants of the 4th Alpini Division are being forced back by the 29th Alpine Division but new Italian formations have been arriving to their north and east. Further to the southeast the 1st and 25th Motorized Divisions have reached their stop-line north of the Fossano-Savona road. The Italian attacks have been uncoordinated and lacking air support.
Another major development is the Yugoslavian entry in the war before dawn tomorrow. Coded transmissions have been received announcing their planned attack on Trieste. At least two of the new Italian formations south of Torino are divisions from NE Italy! Il Duce will not be amused.
