[1][2] The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Reggio" established on 8 August 1859 with the 3rd and 4th infantry regiments of the Army of the United Provinces of Central Italy.

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

Initially the Sabauda division was tasked with the border defence duties in Asmara-Dek’emhāre area.

In November 1935 the Sabauda took Negash, Agula and Bolbala and then moved to positions on the heights overlooking the Tekezé during the Ethiopian Christmas Offensive.

On 3 April 1936 the division arrived at Amba Alagi, where it won a decisive encounter and pursued the retreating Ethiopians to Agumserta and finally to Lake Ashenge.

However the Wehrmacht decided to evacuate its forces to Corsica and the Italian units on Sardinia allowed them to withdraw unhindered.

[1] After Sardinia was secured the Sabauda moved to Sicily on 10 November 1943, where it initially took up positions in the Enna-Caltanissetta region, until it relocated to the Messina-Catania-Syracuse area in September 1944.