The First South African Armoured Battle in Italy during the Second World War: The Battle of Celleno – 10 June 1944

dc.creator	Evert Kleynhans
dc.date	2013-02-01T00:00:00Z
dc.date.accessioned	2015-07-20T20:09:36Z
dc.date.available	2015-07-20T20:09:36Z
dc.identifier	10.5787/40-3-1035
dc.identifier	2224-0020
dc.identifier	https://doaj.org/article/2d87aadfca144bfdb854e5de9118c41e
dc.identifier.uri	http://evidence.thinkportal.org/handle/123456789/9135
dc.identifier.uri	https://doaj.org/article/2d87aadfca144bfdb854e5de9118c41e
dc.description	The formation of 6 South African Armoured Division (6 SA Armd Div), during February 1943, afforded the Union Defence Force (UDF) the chance to expand its military capabilities to that of armoured warfare. An armoured division further offered South Africa the opportunity to equip the UDF with modern fighting equipment and to master the art of combined warfare. Actual deployment in Italy differed vastly from the training which the division received in North Africa, for Italy was arguably, largely “untankable”. The Division’s first battle occurred at Celleno, on 10 June 1944, where it was able to “prove” itself by securing its first victory. As far as secondary sources are concerned, the Battle of Celleno is only superficially covered. Primary sources are however abundant, thus adding to the rich history which is available on the Division. This article analyses the Battle of Celleno, fought by 11 SA Armoured Brigade, in the context of the notion of “first battles”.<a href="#_edn1">[i]</a> Emphasis will be placed on the training received prior to deployment, the Battle of Celleno, the lessons that were learned by the division at Celleno, and the way these influenced future operations in Italy. The Division’s combined-arms approach is also evaluated, with specific emphasis on changing patterns of leadership, command, and employment of the Division after Celleno.<div><br /> <hr size="1" /><div><p><a href="#_ednref1">[i]</a> CE Heller & WA Stofft (eds). <em>America’s first battles 1776–1965</em>. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1986, ix–xiii.</p></div></div>
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy)
dc.relation	http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1035
dc.relation	https://doaj.org/toc/2224-0020
dc.source	Scientia Militaria : South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 40, Iss 3 (2013)
dc.subject	Union Defence Force
dc.subject	Italy
dc.subject	6th South African Armoured Division
dc.subject	11th South African Armoured Brigade
dc.subject	First battles
dc.subject	Celleno
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	DOAJ:Military Science
dc.subject	DOAJ:Technology and Engineering
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	DOAJ:Military Science
dc.subject	DOAJ:Technology and Engineering
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.subject	Military Science
dc.subject	U
dc.title	The First South African Armoured Battle in Italy during the Second World War: The Battle of Celleno – 10 June 1944
dc.type	Article