The Alpini that formed the division are a highly decorated, elite mountain corps of the Italian Army comprising both infantry and artillery units.

The division was deployed quickly to Montenegro - the first unit to leave was the 4th Alpini "Valley" Group on 14 December 1941.

In March 1942 the full division had arrived at Danilovgrad in Montenegro and began to fight Yugoslav Partisans.

In the first days of September 1943 the division was moved to La Spezia to guard the Royal Italian Navy's base there.

After the fleet had sailed the division dissolved on 10 September and most of its troops managed to evade the Germans and make for their homes.