Recruited locally, they were often commanded by officers called out of retirement.

[2] The division was activated on 1 November 1942 in Genoa by expanding the I Coastal Brigade.

The division was assigned to XV Army Corps and in December 1942 moved to Savona.

[1] The division was responsible for the coastal defense of the coast of Liguria between Menton in occupied France and Punta del Mesco near La Spezia.

[1] After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the division was disbanded by invading German forces.