The division guarded the army's line of communications and rear area against Soviet partisans.

[3] The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Vicenza" raised in July 1917 with the 277th, 278th, and 279th infantry regiments.

On 18 January the Italian division's were in full retreat, walking through the icy Russian steppe towards the new Axis lines.

On the same day the main column of the Vicenza was surrounded and annihilated by Soviet Forces near Valuyki.

[1][2] When the division deployed to the Soviet Union it consisted of the following units:[6] In the Soviet Union the XXVI Carabinieri Battalion and the I Armored Car Platoon of the Regiment "Nizza Cavalleria" (1st) were attached to the division.