[1] The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Pistoia" established by order of the Provisional Government of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany of 4 November 1859 with the 7th and 8th infantry regiments.

On 25 March 1860 the Brigade "Pistoia" entered the Royal Sardinian Army three days after the Kingdom of Sardinia had annexed the United Provinces of Central Italy, which included the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

[6] On 20 June 1940 the Pistoia moved to the Maddalena Pass, with only the division's artillery regiment ending up in French territory by July 1940.

After the failure at the Battle of Medenine the Axis forces, including the Pistoia, fell back to the Mareth Line.

When the British resumed their offensive in the Battle of the Mareth Line the Pistoia held its positions until 25 March 1943, but when threatened of being outflanked it was forced to retreated northwards to El Hamma.

On 22 April 1943 the allies began their final offensive in Tunisia and after a few days, despite some successful counter-attacks west of the Takrouna road junction, the Pistoia was surrounded.