[1][2] The division's lineage begins with the XII Brigade established in summer 1859 with the 21st and 22nd infantry regiments of the Army of the United Provinces of Central Italy.

On 25 March 1860 the Brigade "Bologna" entered the Royal Sardinian Army three days after the Kingdom of Sardinia had annexed the United Provinces of Central Italy.

[1][4][5] After the outbreak of World War II the Bologna was sent to Libya, where it was garrisoned in Bir al-Ghanam south-west of Tripoli.

After attempts to stop the British offensive failed the Italian forces, including the remnants of the 10th Artillery Regiment, retreated through Marj and Benghazi, but were encircled and destroyed north of Ajdabiya on 5 February 1941.

The Bologna's success bought sufficient time to allow the 17th Infantry Division "Pavia" to mount a counter-attack and defeat the British assault.

The Bologna's front now extended some 8 miles and on 25 November the thinly spread-out division was assaulted at Balhamed by British forces, which were supported by 50 tanks.

The continued British pressure forced the Bologna gradually back to the "Leopard strongpoint", with the division covering its retreat with mines and machine-gun nests.

The Bologna's commander ordered a retreat and the division's units cut off to the east of Tobruk broke through British lines towards Al ‘Adam (now Gamal Abdul El Nasser Air Base).

On 30 August 1942 the Bologna participated in the Battle of Alam el Halfa, during which the division and the German 433rd Infantry Regiment attacked several Indian, South African and New Zealand units on Ruweisat Ridge, and managed to capture Point 211 with the Italians reporting 70 British POWs.

[1] During the initial phase of the Second Battle of El Alamein allied forces subjected the Bologna between 23 and 31 October 1942 on repeated air and ground attacks.