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

From 29 February to 2 March 1936, the division fought in the Battle of Shire and then advanced to Addi Onfito, reaching Axum by April 1936.

For the invasion the Modena was assigned to XV Army Corps,[8] and tasked to secure the section of the French-Italian border between Monte Grammondo and the Cima Bavasina.

[1] In November 1940 the Modena was sent to Albania to reinforce Italian units fighting in the Greco-Italian War.

At about the same time, the loss of mount Maja e Buzë Derrit by the Modena endangered the positions of the remnants of the Ferrara, which was forced to undertake costly counter-attacks.

On 19 December 1940 the Modena made a stand between Gusmar and Lekdush villages in Kurvelesh municipality, managing to stop the Greek advance.

On 9–10 March 1941, the Modena undertook diversionary attacks near Progonat to tie up Greek forces and prevent reinforcements reaching Kolonjë, where the main thrust of the Italian spring offensive was underway.

After Greek resistance collapsed the Modena advanced and captured Golëm and Mali i Thate in the Tepelenë District on 13–14 April 1941.